By Eric Stock

BLOOMINGTON – Illinois has filled its inspector general office which has been vacant for two years.

The state’s ethics commission has tabbed attorney Julie Porter, a former federal prosecutor, to review more than two dozen complaints, the most recent was allegations of sexual harassment against a Senate leader who has since given up the post.

Illinois Senator Minority Leader Bill Brady, R-Bloomington, told WJBC’s Scott Laughlin the ethics committee needs more authority to go after offenders.

PODCAST: Listen to Scott’s interview with Brady on WJBC.

“There are a couple of issues that I feel are important and I think others do as well,” Brady said. “One is we lift the statute of limitations for those cases,” Brady said, adding he expects lawmakers will take the action this week.

The inspector general’s office has been closed two years while the statue of limitations is only one year.

“One of the things we found is the ethics committee doesn’t have authority that expands to sexual harassment so we need to do those things and expand authority right now on the ethics committee,” Brady said.

Brady is calling for non-legislators to be allowed also serve on the committee.

Eric Stock can be reached at [email protected].