Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – A special investigative committee which will decide whether to discipline indicted State Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) held its first meeting Thursday. The chairman, State Rep. Curtis Tarver II  (pictured) (D-Chicago), said before proceeding, the committee needs to contact the U.S. attorney’s office, noting the special investigative committee for former House Speaker Mike Madigan also did so. Tarver said it’s a necessary step “to avoid taking any action that he would consider an interference with an ongoing federal investigation.”

Ammons is accused of manipulating the state grant process to enrich herself and her family.

A Republican on the panel, State Rep. Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich), sounded a cautionary note: “This committee cannot become another Springfield exercise in delays, doublespeak, excuses, and more political protections for insiders.”

Before Thursday’s hearing, Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey held a news conference on the Capitol steps to say the Ammons case is yet another opportunity to strengthen ethics in the legislature. When a reporter asked about remarks Gov. JB Pritzker made about Bailey supporters, Bailey responded, “JB Pritzker is a jackass. He needs to stop the character assassinations.”