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HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION


 
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    WHEREAS, Subsection (b) of Section 25-10 of the State 
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Officials and Employees Ethics Act (5 ILCS 430/25-10) requires 
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that the Legislative Ethics Commission shall diligently search 
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out qualified candidates for the Legislative Inspector General 
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and make recommendations to the General Assembly, which shall 
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appoint a Legislative Inspector General by joint resolution; 
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and

 
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    WHEREAS, Subsection (b) of Section 25-10 further states 
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that the Legislative Inspector General shall be selected solely 
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on the basis of integrity and demonstrated ability and sets 
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forth the necessary educational and employment criteria; and
 
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    WHEREAS, On July 24, 2004, the General Assembly appointed 
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Mr. Thomas J. Homer to serve as the Legislative Inspector 
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General, with his term to end June 30, 2008; and
 
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    WHEREAS, The Legislative Ethics Commission at its last 
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meeting voted to retain Mr. Thomas J. Homer as Legislative 
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Inspector General in a holdover capacity pending his 
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reappointment or the appointment of a new Legislative Inspector 
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General; and
 
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    WHEREAS, As the personification of integrity and ability, 
 


 






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Mr. Thomas J. Homer has had an exemplary career of public 
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service that more than qualifies him to serve as the 
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Legislative Inspector General; and
 
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    WHEREAS, A native of Illinois, Mr. Homer was admitted to 
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the Illinois bar in 1974 and has devoted his professional life 
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to the law in various capacities that provide him with a 
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thorough and well-rounded understanding of the ethical demands 
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of governmental endeavors; and
 
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    WHEREAS, After serving as an Assistant State's Attorney in 
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Lake County and as the Fulton County State's Attorney, Mr. 
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Homer was a member of the Illinois House of Representatives 
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from 1982 to 1994, during which time he also engaged in the 
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private practice of law; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Mr. Homer was elected to the Illinois Third 
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District Appellate Court in 1996, thus adding to his skills in 
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interpreting legislative intent and human behavior; and
 
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    WHEREAS, Mr. Homer's lengthy resume of experience and 
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accomplishments uniquely qualifies him for the position of 
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Legislative Inspector General, an office that necessitates 
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both keen intellect and insight into the personal and 
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professional motivations of persons acting in the public realm;  
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therefore, be it

 
 


 






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    RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE 
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NINETY-FIFTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE 
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SENATE CONCURRING HEREIN, that we reappoint Mr. Thomas J. Homer 
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as Legislative Inspector General in accordance with subsection 
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(b) of Section 25-10 of the State Officials and Employees 
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Ethics Act, endorsing him wholeheartedly as surpassing all 
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statutory requirements and ensuring that his sterling 
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character and dedication to government service will enhance the 
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office of Legislative Inspector General and benefit the 
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administration of the ethical foundation on which Illinois 
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legislators and legislative employees operate; and be it 
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further

 
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    RESOLVED, That, in accordance with subsection (b) of 
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Section 25-10 of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, 
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the reappointment of Mr. Thomas J. Homer takes effect upon the 
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adoption of this joint resolution by the affirmative vote of 
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three-fifths of the members elected to each house of the 
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General Assembly, the certification of this joint resolution by 
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the Speaker of the House of Representatives and the President 
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of the Senate, and the filing of this joint resolution with the 
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Secretary of State; and be it further 
 
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    RESOLVED, That, in accordance with subsection (b) of 
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Section 25-10 of the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act, 
 


 






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the term of Legislative Inspector General Homer shall run 
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through June 30, 2012; and be it further 
 
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    RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be delivered to 
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Mr. Thomas J. Homer and the Legislative Ethics Commission.