Watchdog needs independence
From the Chicago Sun-Times
It’s not enough for an inspector general to understand how things work behind the scenes. An IG must also be clearly independent.
The General Assembly’s new acting inspector general, J. William Roberts, certainly qualifies on the first point. As a former U.S. attorney, Sangamon County state’s attorney and counsel to former Gov. Jim Edgar, he has the experience to do the job.
But a Better Government Association report in Monday’s Sun-Times shows Roberts does not have the outsider status an IG needs. His disquieting ties to top legislators, including House Speaker Michael Madigan, will cast a shadow over any investigations or reports he produces.
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