Franks to hold hearing on government abuse

State Rep. Jack Franks issued the following news release on Thursday:

Franks: Hearing will investigate abuse, negligence across Gov't agencies

CHICAGO – In response to large-scale abuse unearthed by a joint report from the Executive Inspector General (OEIG) and Department of Children and Family Services (DCFS) Inspector General, state Rep. Jack Franks (D-Marengo) will convene a hearing Friday to investigate lax oversight and cronyism that allowed a close friend of former DCFS Director Erwin McEwen nearly unsupervised control of more than $18 million in state grants.

“The sheer magnitude and depth of this abuse is breathtaking,” said Franks. “To add insult to injury, Director McEwen was allowed to stay on the job for months after the Governor was made aware of his deficiencies.”

After receiving the Inspector General’s report detailing widespread negligence under McEwen's leadership, Governor Quinn waited four months before accepting the Director’s resignation. Notably, McEwen refused to cooperate with the Inspector General’s investigation, even though as a State employee he was legally required to.

“The first day an employee of mine stopped cooperating would be his last day on the job,” continued Franks. “Not only was Mr. McEwen using his position to facilitate the squandering of millions of public dollars, he was allowed to continue collecting a paycheck months after the Inspector General informed Governor Quinn of his findings.”

The report details alleged abuse and fraud perpetrated by business entities operated by Dr. George E. Smith. From ghost employees and forged signatures to excess billing for administrative costs and the administration of psychotropic drugs to DCFS wards without proper consent – the findings paint a troubling picture of inadequate oversight and failure to monitor grant contracts across several State agencies that paid out grants to Smith.

“As Illinois remains months behind in paying lawful vendors, the negligence and failure to undertake even the most rudimentary oversight of grants came at the expense of Illinois children and families that rely on legitimate service providers,” concluded Franks.

Franks, the chairman of the House State Government Administration Committee, state Rep. Greg Harris (D-Chicago), the chairman of the House Human Services Committee will hear from witnesses across government agencies to fully investigate the report’s findings. The hearing will take place at the State of Illinois’ Bilandic Building, Room C-600, located at 160 North LaSalle in Chicago on Friday, January 27th at 10:00 A.M.