CHICAGO - The last three Congressmen representing the 2nd CD ended their terms amidst scandal. First Gus Savage, then Mel Reynolds and now Jesse Jackson Jr. Observers assume that 2nd CD voters would be focused on clearing their reputation in picking lawmakers this time around. But just six days before the February 26th Democratic primary, eyebrows are being raised about former Illinois State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias' chief of staff, who is one of the top three Democrats vying to replace Jackson - Robin Kelly.
Kelly, who is backed by New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, Congressmen Bobby Rush and Danny Davis, as well MoveOn.Org and the SEIU, may have questions to answer about how she spent time while working for Giannoulias. Her chief of staff schedule was scoured after Giannoulias lost to US Senator Mark Kirk in 2010 and Kelly lost her own bid for state treasurer. The office inspector recommended Giannoulias reprimand Kelly for allegedly using time to campaign when she was scheduled to be on duty in the Treasurer's office. The Tribune reports:
After Robin Kelly lost a 2010 bid for state treasurer, the office's chief investigator alleged she violated ethics laws by improperly reporting time off from her taxpayer-funded job as chief of staff to then-Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, the Tribune has learned.
Kelly, now a top contender in Tuesday's special Democratic primary in the 2nd Congressional District race to succeed Jesse Jackson Jr., was at the center of an investigation by the treasurer's executive inspector general into whether timekeeping violations took place as she campaigned for treasurer, records obtained under the Freedom of Information Act show.
Executive Inspector General David Wells recommended that Kelly be disciplined, according to a letter from Giannoulias. The punishment that Wells recommended was not made public, but Giannoulias said no action would be taken against Kelly because she had already resigned from state government.
