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State of the State is about the effectiveness and culture of Illinois government. Written by Brian Mackey, the blog focuses on key areas of news important to Illinois such as criminal justice and labor.

Frerichs Keeping Rutherford Investigation Under Wraps

Mike Frerichs at Inauguration 2015
Brian Mackey/WUIS

Illinois Treasurer Mike Frerichs is keeping secret the results of an investigation into his predecessor.

Former Illinois Treasurer Dan Rutherford saw his political career collapse last year when an employee accused him of harassment and requiring political work.

Rutherford commissioned an investigation and pledged to release the results, but then backtracked.

Rutherford: “From the very beginning, I said I want it out there." Reporter: “But then you said, on advice of counsel, I can’t." Rutherford: “No, I didn’t say that. The counsel said that, because of the — a federal lawsuit had been filed."

Now the new treasurer, Frerichs, is citing the same lawsuit and instructions from the Illinois attorney general as his reason not to release the report. That's despite telling the Daily Herald he wanted to publish.

A spokeswoman for Frerichs says the report “must” be released, and that her boss will work with the attorney general to do that once the lawsuit is over.

The report cost $27,000 and was paid for using taxpayer funds.

Brian Mackey formerly reported on state government and politics for NPR Illinois and a dozen other public radio stations across the state. Before that, he was A&E editor at The State Journal-Register and Statehouse bureau chief for the Chicago Daily Law Bulletin.
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