About the Office

MISSION

The mission of the Office of Executive Inspector General is to ensure that agencies, boards and commissions directly responsible to the Governor maintain the highest standards of integrity and accountability. The Office investigates complaints of violations of any law, rule or regulation or abuse of authority or other forms of misconduct within the offices, boards and commissions that report to the Governor. Complaints received by the office are reviewed and evaluated to determine whether there is reasonable cause to believe the underlying allegations, if true, would constitute a violation of any law, rule or regulation on the part of a state officer, agency, employee or entity doing business with the State of Illinois.

JURISDICTION

The jurisdiction of the Office of Executive Inspector General extends to the Governor, his staff, state agencies, departments, boards, commissions, and any other entities appointed, employed, controlled, directed, or subject to the authority of the Governor. Specifically excluded from the office's jurisdiction are the Illinois General Assembly, Illinois courts, the offices of secretary of state, auditor, treasurer, attorney general, their staff and employees. As a general rule, the Office of Executive Inspector General does not become involved in cases involving private disputes, labor-management issues, or litigation. Matters investigated by the Office of Executive Inspector General may also fall within the jurisdiction of other agencies. (i.e. law enforcement investigators, prosecuting authorities, other inspectors general, etc.) In such cases, the Inspector General may make a referral to or work together with other agencies to investigate complaints.

REPORTING

At the conclusion of an investigation opened by the Office of Executive Inspector General, a report of investigation is completed and provided to the Governor and, where appropriate, the agency director who manages the complained of employee, contract or program. The report may include recommendations for personnel actions or recommendations for the agency to consider in addressing and avoiding the recurrence of any violations uncovered by the investigation. When appropriate, a report of investigation may also be forwarded to a prosecutor for review to determine whether the underlying facts are sufficient to support a criminal prosecution.

The Illinois Inspector General serves a valuable role, working to improve the process of government to ensure that our system of government operates efficiently and without the fraud and abuse that sometimes finds its way into government. The Inspector General must also shed light on the corruption that would cause citizens to lose faith in that system. In essence, as an independent investigative agency in state government, the mission of the Office of Executive Inspector General is to make Illinois government work for everyone.

Individuals are welcome to contact the Office with information regarding waste, fraud, corruption, and abuse. It is the Office’s practice to maintain the names of complainants in confidence.

Our statutory authority is (5 ILCS 430/) State Officials and Employees Ethics Act.

• (5 ILCS 430/) State Officials and Employees Ethics Act

Public employees are subject to whistleblower protection.

Executive Order 4
EXECUTIVE ORDER BANNING RETALIATION AGAINST WHISTLE BLOWERS
Executive Order Number 4 - 2003
Executive Order Number 4

Executive Order 5
EXECUTIVE ORDER MANDATING ETHICS TRAINING FOR ALL STATE EMPLOYEES
Executive Order Number 5 - 2003
Executive Order Number 5

The Office’s hotline number is 866-814-1113.

Because the Office conducts its work confidentially, complainants are not normally apprised of the progress of investigations or reviews and may not be informed about the disposition of an investigation or review.

Records of ongoing investigations of the Office are not public records.

Note: It is the general policy of the Office to neither confirm nor deny the existence of an investigation or review prior to the disposition of the matter by the Inspector General.