SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WAND) — The Illinois House Special Investigating Committee held its first hearing to discuss misconduct of Rep. Carol Ammons Thursday. Members set ground rules for how the investigation will move forward and talked about regarding charges against Ammons.

This is the first special investigating committee we have seen in Springfield since former Speaker Mike Madigan faced questions from lawmakers in 2020. The big difference is Rep. Ammons has already been indicted.

Democrats and Republicans on the committee said Ammons is facing serious allegations involving taxpayer dollars and public trust. Neither Ammons nor her attorneys attended the hearing to testify.

"When one of our members is a subject of a criminal indictment based on allegations of wire fraud, false statements to the FBI and conspiracies to obstruct justice, there is a direct threat to the public trust and this very institution," said Rep. Curtis Tarver (D-Chicago).

The committee entered the federal indictment, emails and other documents into the public record. Rep. CD Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) spoke on behalf of the 11 GOP members of the House who signed the petition to investigate Ammons. 

Yet, Freedom Caucus members hope the hearings bring real results.

"This committee cannot become another Springfield exercise in delays, double speak, excuses and more political protections for insiders," said Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich). "Decades of scandal have destroyed the public's trust in state government. This must end."

Members also voted to send a letter to the US Attorney for Central Illinois asking for guidance and evidence to use in the legislative investigation. This is the same step lawmakers took during investigations of former governor Rod Blagojevich, former Rep. Derrick Smith and Speaker Madigan.

"Politics has no role in these hearings," said Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva). "This should and I'm sure will be handled and viewed the same way for Rep. Ammons as a member of any party who would appear before a committee such as this." 

Chairman Tarver said the committee will schedule another hearing after they hear back from the US Attorney's office.

GOP gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey told reporters in Springfield Thursday that Ammons should resign. Gov. JB Pritzker called for the Urbana Democrat to resign last month.

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