Metro East Sun

Illinois state Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Edwardsville) is determined to get answers.

“No one really knows what’s going on, but what we do know is very concerning,” Plummer told the Metro East Sun. “I’m calling on County Board (Kurt) Prenzler to be transparent about what happened.”

According to media reports, what’s known is accusations alleging misconduct and political corruption have been made against officials in the county administration offices. Even after the Illinois Attorney General's Office declined to file charges after a lengthy review, questions remain in a case that centers on the suspect use of computer data.

"Regardless of any further legal action pursued on this matter, elected officials and public servants should be held to a higher standard," Plummer added. "If Chairman Prenzler is not willing to transparent and publicly address these issues with immediacy, the county board should take swift action that would be dependent on how the chairman responds.”

Since arriving in Springfield last year, Plummer has made ethics one of his signature issues. In the Madison County case, he’s already sent a letter to the Illinois Attorney General seeking more information.

"No elected official should, in good conscious, be willing to stand by while questions of these allegations remain unanswered,” Plummer added.

Recently unsealed affidavits prompted the seizure of several computers in the county administration’s office, but again no charges have been filed.

Plummer said he plans to get to the bottom of what exactly took place as part of his mission to send the message that corruption in Madison County will no longer be tolerated. 

“I know a lot of people in Illinois are cynical about government because we live in a corrupt state and in the case of Madison County--it’s also known for corruption, but those days are done,” he said. “I want people to know that, as of now, good government is the only thing that matters.”