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Illinois Ag Director Resigns Over Response To Rape Email

ilga.gov
Former agriculture secretary John Sullivan

Gov. J.B. Pritzker's agriculture director has resigned after acknowledging that he received, but did not act on, a lobbyist's email seven years ago which referenced an alleged rape cover-up and illegal hiring practices.

John Sullivan said in a statement Monday that he did not read the email thoroughly at the time but said, “I accept responsibility for what was truly an unintentional oversight and the subsequent inaction.”

The July 2012 email from Michael McClain sought leniency from gubernatorial aides for a “loyal” state employee who "has kept his mouth shut on ... ghost workers, the rape in Champaign and other items.”

 

John O’Connor is a reporter for StateImpact Florida, a project of WUSF, WLRN and NPR covering education. John writes for the StateImpact Florida blog and produces stories for air on Florida public radio stations.