Ensuring honesty and integrity in State government

On December 9, 2003, the Governor signed the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act which officially created the Office of Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor ("OEIG"). With the signing of this bill, the OEIG's powers and duties were expanded to include jurisdiction over all State agencies, including the State public universities and community college districts, except the Attorney General, Secretary of State, Comptroller, and Treasurer. The bill also gave the OEIG subpoena power. The OEIG acts as an independent agency whose function is to investigate fraud and abuse in State government. Specifically, the Office of Executive Inspector General receives and fairly investigates complaints of violations of any law, rule or regulation or abuse of authority or other forms of misconduct by officers, employees and appointees of State agencies under its jurisdiction and vendors and others doing business with the State. The Executive Inspector General may report any findings of misconduct to the Governor, and may recommend measures to prevent the future occurrence of investigated instances of fraud, abuse or misconduct. The Executive Inspector General refers findings establishing criminal conduct to the appropriate prosecuting authority.

The Office of Executive Inspector General recognizes that the majority of State employees and officials are hardworking and honest individuals. However, when evidence of actual or apparent impropriety exists in State government, it must be effectively and objectively dealt with either administratively or through the court system. It is the goal of the Office of Executive Inspector General to heighten the trust of Illinoisans in the functions of State government.