Feds ask Illinois lawmakers for 90-day delay on NRI hearings

CHICAGO (WLS) -- The U.S. Department of Justice is asking state lawmakers to not interfere with its investigation into Governor Pat Quinn's troubled anti-violence program. But legislators are still planning to meet next week, despite the request.

Government lawyers called from Washington, informally asking the Legislative Audit Commission to delay its hearings for 90 days, presumably until after federal investigators have interviewed the witnesses.

"The position of the House Republican Caucus is that the hearings scheduled for next week should proceed as planned," said State Rep. Jim Durkin.

The House Republican leader and audit commission member State Rep. Ron Sandack said a phone call from Washington is not enough to delay their hearings.

"To my knowledge, there has been no formal request, consistent with past practices to stay, shutdown or defer in any way shape or form," said Sandack, (R-Downers Grove).

The audit commission is reviewing the Quinn administration's 2010 Neighborhood Recovery Initiative, the $55 million anti-violence program the state auditor general said was mismanaged with amounts of taxpayer money unaccounted for. A commission subcommittee voted unanimously to subpoena seven former Quinn administration aides, while the U.S. Attorney in Springfield conducted a separate investigation.

"I want anyone in our government to provide any and all information to whomever needs that information to fully investigate what has to be investigated," said Gov. Quinn.

Co-chairman Republican State Sen. Jason Barickman, issued a statement saying the 12-member commission would decide next Wednesday on whether to proceed with witness testimony. Durkin and Sandack did not appear concerned that those called to testify might heed the justice department request on their own and plead the Fifth Amendment.

"What they do before the committee is up to them and their attorney, if they have them. But we're not here and I'm not going to speculate on what they may or may not say," said Durkin.

Because commission members have already voted unanimously to hold the hearings on Wednesday and Thursday of next week, it would take another vote to delay or cancel the sessions.

And with an equal number of Republicans and Democrats on the panel, a stalemate would mean the hearings would go on as scheduled. But then again, the witnesses might plead the Fifth Amendment.