Special Illinois House committee opens investigation into Rep. Carol Ammons as federal case unfolds

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WLS) -- An Illinois House committee on Thursday launched a formal investigation into state Rep. Carol Ammons, a Democrat from Urbana, who is facing federal corruption charges and could ultimately be expelled from the legislature.

The move marks the first step in an internal process that could result in reprimand, censure or removal from office. Committee members emphasized that their work must be viewed as fair and free of political influence.

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"We should not take this process or the discipline of a member lightly," committee chair and Democratic state Rep. Curtis Tarver said during the hearing. "Precedent has shown that this process is reserved for actions so egregious, so contrary to the core values of this institution, that we must act immediately to restore public trust."

Ammons and her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, were indicted last month. Prosecutors allege the pair participated in a multiyear scheme to steer state grant funding to a nonprofit that then paid some of the money to their daughter. Ammons is also accused of using campaign funds for personal expenses and accepting kickbacks.

She did not attend Thursday's hearing, and legal experts say her absence is likely to continue as the federal case proceeds.

"The risk to Carol Ammons and showing up and testifying at a hearing when they're pending criminal investigations is very high," ABC7 Chicago legal analyst Gil Soffer said. "So the odds of showing up and testifying are very low."

Gov. JB Pritzker again called for Ammons to step down, saying public officials must be held to high standards.

"I think that people who have committed fraud against the people of Illinois, people who are taking from taxpayer dollars, are frankly, shouldn't be in public service, shouldn't be in government," Pritzker said at an event in Urbana Thursday.

Committee members said they intend to conduct a thorough and impartial review. Rep. Adam Niemerg, a Republican from Dietrich, warned against allowing the process to become "another Springfield exercise in delays, doublespeak, excuses and more political protections for insiders."

Tarver told colleagues the committee will seek guidance from the U.S. attorney overseeing the federal prosecution to ensure the legislative inquiry does not interfere with the criminal case.

"What is likely to happen is the U.S. attorney will put some guardrails around what the House does," Soffer said. "Maybe not to talk to particular witnesses, not to talk about grand jury proceedings, not to talk about conversations with federal prosecutors."

Ammons has denied the allegations. House Speaker Chris Welch removed her from committee assignments and the Democratic caucus last month.