State Panel Subpoenas Former Head Of Gov. Quinn's Anti-Crime Program
(CBS) -- After a lengthy hearing, state lawmakers voted Monday afternoon to subpoena the former official who ran Gov. Pat Quinn's troubled anti-violence program, as well as six others involved with the program.
The discussion was highly influenced by – what else? -- election politics, CBS 2's Derrick Blakley reports.
A subcommittee of the Legislative Audit Commission voted Monday. But the matter requires a signature from a co-chairman, state Rep. Frank Mautino, D-Spring Valley, who wasn't at the meeting.
The vote means committee members will compel Barbara Shaw to answer questions about the $55 million Neighborhood Recovery Initiative.
Shaw is the former director of an agency that was responsible for the program.
Auditor General William Holland has said the program was poorly managed.
"Our duty is to find out how to make sure those problems don't happen again," state Sen. Jason Barickman, R-Bloomington, said.
Some Democrats on the panel are worried the inquiry could drag on.
Quinn, a Chicago Democrat, announced the initiative shortly before the 2010 election. He told reporters earlier Monday that committee members should do what they feel is right.
Shaw's attorney, John Theis, has said if Shaw is subpoenaed, she'll respond. The testimony is scheduled for next month.
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