Illinois (ECWd) –
“On November 22, 2022, the Office of Executive Inspector General (OEIG) received an anonymous complaint against Illinois Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) Public Service Administrator Daniel Pittman. The complaint alleged that, while previously employed as a Public Service Administrator at the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services (HFS), Mr. Pittman used State time and resources for his campaign for Sangamon County Treasurer.”
Once again, a state employee has abused the system in an effort to promote their political status while being paid by the taxpayers. The Office of the Executive Inspector General confirmed that Pittman spent over 9 hours on campaign-related matters while also on the clock for his state employment. (See PDF page number 5)
“Daniel Pittman violated the Ethics Act’s prohibited political activity and contribution provisions by soliciting and accepting a campaign donation during State time, and violated the Ethics Act’s prohibited political activity provision by discussing campaign business on State property and during State time.” (See PDF page 8)
What happens when such abuse takes place in Illinois?
“This letter is in response to the Office of Executive Inspector General’s (“OEIG”) Final Report regarding the above referenced complaint. In response to the OEIG’s (redacted), the Department of Innovation and Technology (“DoIT”) issued a reprimand to Mr. Pittman. Mr. Pittman was directed to complete the 2024 Ethics Training and submit a request for outside employment for all current and any future elected or appointed positions outside of his DoIT employment.” (emphasis added)
Where is the demand for the taxpayers to be made whole for the funds used paying him but not being applied to actual public business?
Until there are serious penalties for such malfeasance, these types of actions will continue.
One thing we do note when reading OEIG investigation reports is that they appear to know the answers to questions before they ask them and expose the misrepresentations made during interviews. It is a pleasure to see actual accountability to the truth. All too often, we see Illinois State Police interview reports, and they routinely fail to address straight-up lies they are told.
Pittman campaigning on state time