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Frequently Asked Questions
- 1. Do I have to report wrongdoing to the OEIG?
- 2. What types of complaints does the OEIG investigate?
- 3. How do I file a complaint?
- 4. Does the OEIG accept anonymous complaints?
- 5. How long does it take to complete an investigation?
- 6. What communication can I expect from the OEIG after I file a complaint?
- 7. Does the OEIG investigate all of the complaints it receives?
- 8. Are complaints kept confidential once received by the OEIG?
- 9. What is the OEIG's jurisdiction?
- 10. What types of complaints does the OEIG decline?
- 11. What investigatory powers are available to the OEIG?
- 12. How can I contact the OEIG?
Under Executive Order 16-04, state employees are required to promptly report misconduct to the OEIG and/or their ethics officer. This means, as a state employee, you should contact the OEIG whenever you have a reasonable belief of or witness a wrongful act or omission on the part of any employee or agency under the OEIG's jurisdiction or those doing business with those agencies.
The OEIG investigates misconduct committed by any employee of, or those doing business with, an entity under its jurisdiction. For example, the OEIG investigates fraud, theft, false statements, conflicts of interest, misuse of state time, property, or resources, hiring improprieties, among other things. The OEIG also investigates alleged violations of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act (Ethics Act), including prohibited political activity, revolving door, sexual harassment, gift ban, and retaliation.
A complaint may be filed with this Office in writing, preferably on an OEIG complaint form, or orally. You may file a complaint by:
- Completing an Online Complaint Form
- Calling the Office's toll-free hotline (866) 814-1113;
- Sending a completed complaint form to the Office of Executive Inspector General for the Agencies of the Illinois Governor, Attention Complaint Division, 69 West Washington Street, Suite 3400, Chicago, Illinois 60602;
- Contacting the Office by telecommunications device for the disabled (TTY) at (888) 261-2734; or
- Scheduling an appointment with the Office at its Springfield or Chicago locations.
Yes, complaints may be filed anonymously. However, the more information the OEIG receives provides the OEIG a better opportunity to fully investigate the matter. Thus, a complaint needs to provide sufficient detail for an investigation to be initiated.
The length of time required by an investigation is determined by several factors including, the nature of the allegation, the evidence identified in the complaint, the amount of interviews required, and the amount of documents and other types of evidence necessary to make determinations. It is the objective of the OEIG to conclude each investigation as expeditiously as possible.
Based on statutory limitations of the Ethics Act, OEIG complaints and investigations are typically confidential. After you file a complaint with the OEIG, you may be contacted again if we need additional information or clarification. Remember, the OEIG is an independent, objective investigative agency. It does not represent any party or agency in an investigation and does not investigate on behalf of any individual or agency.
The OEIG receives approximately 4,000 complaints per year. Because of this volume, the OEIG may refer matters to another agency when it appears that the allegations may be appropriately addressed by that agency. When the OEIG refers the matter to another agency, it may request that the agency respond to the OEIG regarding the allegations. The OEIG reviews these agency responses to determine whether the agency adequately addressed the allegations or whether the OEIG should subsequently open an investigation.
The OEIG also may decline to investigate if for example, it does not have jurisdiction.
Generally, all records pertaining to OEIG investigations are considered confidential and therefore, not subject to public release. Investigative files and reports of the Office of Executive Inspector General are exempt from the Freedom of Information Act. However, if an investigation results in a finding that an employee engaged in misconduct, a report summarizing the investigation may be made public by the Executive Ethics Commission in accordance with applicable law.
The jurisdiction of the OEIG extends to the governor, the lieutenant governor, and all officers and employees of, and vendors and others doing business with, executive branch state agencies, except for those that fall under the jurisdiction of the attorney general, the secretary of state, the comptroller or the treasurer. The OEIGs jurisdiction also extends to the eleven Regional Development Authorities, nine state public universities and the four transit agencies, including the Chicago Transit Authority (CTA), Metra, and Pace.
The OEIG cannot investigate complaints over individuals who are not within our jurisdiction. This includes employees of cities, counties, federal agencies, local governments or employees without any government affiliation.
State employees are required to cooperate with the OEIG which includes providing truthful information and documentation to the OEIG. The OEIG conducts interviews of relevant state employees or witnesses in furtherance of an investigation. The OEIG may also issue subpoenas requiring the appearance of anyone for questioning and the production of any books, records, or other documents relevant to an investigation.