This past week, the Illinois House of Representatives were busy passing legislation in the dark of night again, but this time some legislators noticed votes being cast by staffers without the member being present.
A call was made to verify the vote on a bill. After the removal of four affirmative votes because the members were not present, the bill failed to obtain a majority and verification was halted – it would have been recorded as “Passed” had the verification not been taken. See the video in this article by The Center Square. Those affirmative votes removed were cast for Kam Buckner, Fred Crespo, Anthony DeLuca, and Anne Stava-Murray.
Nothing in the House Rules (or this set of Rules) permits staffers to vote in place of Legislators who are absent, and rightfully so, as the staff was never elected as representatives and therefore cannot tender votes.
We suggest, at a minimum, that all staffers who voted in place of, or for, the absent representative be terminated and/or prosecuted for falsifying votes or fraudulently voting during an official proceeding of the House of Representatives. Additionally, any Representative who purported to authorize any fraudulent voting should also be disciplined to the fullest extent available.
It would not be a big leap to determine those staffers “forged” the voting record as that term is described in Section 17-3 of the Criminal Code by intentionally defrauding other legislators and the entire state by making a false vote capable of defrauding those who voted against the bill and delivered that false vote electronically knowing it was false.
It would also not be a big leap to determine those staffers participated in “Official Misconduct” as that term is defined in Section 33-3 of the Criminal Code by, in their official capacity as employees of the state, knowingly tendering a vote for a representative who is not present, which is an act in excess of their lawful authority, or they know it is an act they are forbidden to perform.
This activity cannot be allowed to stand.
This story was originally published by Edgar County Watchdogs. Read the original HERE.
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