Members of the Illinois State House are assessing their options regarding State Representative Carol Ammons.  The Champaign-based Democrat was indicted on July 7 on charges involving wire fraud, lying to the FBI, and obstruction of justice relating to alleged misuse of campaign funds, among other actions.  Ammons has pleaded not guilty to the charges and remains in office despite calls to resign.  She is also running for re-election and will appear unopposed on the ballot this fall.

Dr. Kent Redfield is a professor emeritus of political science at the University of Illinois-Springfield.  He says it is too late for Republicans to run a candidate against Ammons, and expulsion can only be done once on the basis of her alleged actions. 

However, if a General Assembly member is convicted of such crimes, they would become ineligible to serve in public office.  Dr. Redfield expects a trial would not begin until 2027. 

More information on the Illinois General Assembly is available at www.ilga.gov.

Dr. Kent Redfield appeared as a guest on the WTIM Morning Show.