Rooting out scandal key to attorney general race

http://www.southernillinoisan.com/articles/2006/10/16/top/17867943.txt

BY Matt Adrian, THE SOUTHERN SPRINGFIELD BUREAU

SPRINGFIELD - Rooting out public corruption has become the central issue in the upcoming Illinois attorney general's race.

As allegations of corruption have become a major issue in this year's gubernatorial race, how to handle it is bleeding into the attorney general contest. Illinois Attorney General Lisa Madigan is being challenged by Republican Stewart Umholtz and Green Party candidate David Black.

Madigan said she has worked diligently to prosecute corruption, from indicting the Franklin-Williamson County regional school superintendent on theft and fraud charges to turning over information to U.S. Attorney Patrick Fitzgerald in his ongoing investigation into the Blagojevich administration.

"I've taken that responsibility very seriously," Madigan said. "I have made sure that the office has hired experienced investigators and lawyers, who have made a career of not just investigating but prosecuting public corruption cases."

Umholtz, the Tazewell County state's attorney, said corruption drives up the cost of running state business and hurts priorities like education and healthcare.

"I consider public corruption a foundation issue," he said. "The only way we can find enough revenue to fund education, provide health care is to have our business in order."

The candidate says he wants to create a special unit at the attorney general's office to deal with corruption. The division would handle everything from investigating allegations of corruption to helping train government workers.

The two major party candidates view the role of attorney general differently. Umholtz sees the attorney general as being restricted to making sure existing laws are followed.

"The attorney general should not be a policy maker that's the function of the legislature," he said.

Madigan counters that state constitution gives the attorney general a wide mandate to address a variety of issues from consumer protection to tightening restrictions on sex offenders

"Not only do you represent the state and its agencies, you represent the people of the state of Illinois," Madigan said.

Both major party candidates champion open government. Madigan hired a public access counselor to help people navigate the state's Open Meeting Act as well as Illinois Freedom of Information Act.

Umholtz said he would go as far as to do away with closed-door meetings of the legislative caucuses where many issues are hammered out along party lines.

"It would lower the level of partisanship in Springfield and it would raise the level of civility," he said. "The focus ought to be on the taxpayer, not on what party leaders would like to see."

Madigan is also touting her record on restricting the ingredients for making methamphetamine.

According to the Illinois Green Party Web site, David Black, a Rockford-area attorney, supports treatment over incarceration for drug addicts.

The election is Nov. 7.

matt.adrian@lee.net

(217) 789-0865