Illinois Rep. Carol Ammons charged with self-dealing, obstruction of justice

Downstate Illinois Democratic state representative Carol Ammons and her husband are facing a federal indictment that alleges she steered state grants to a family member and lied to the FBI, among other misdeeds.

On her website, Ammons identifies herself as a leading voice for fairer justice system in Illinois, and touts’ accomplishments including having helped pass legislation like the SAFE T Act, that did away with cash bail.

But Wednesday’s 11-count indictment alleges Ammons enriched both herself and her family through her legislative work to the tune of $100,000. In one scheme, prosecutors say Ammons steered $605,000 in state grants to a prison reform group called “Hood Vote” that employed her daughter.

According to the indictment, Ammons later steered the money to a company called Bridgewater Sullivan Community Life Center and “assisted Bridgewater in drafting her daughter’s employment contract with Bridgewater.”

Ammons is also charged with converting campaign cash for personal use and overpaying on contracts out of her campaign, with some of the money returned to her as “gifts.” She’s also accused lying to the FBI.

It’s yet another headache for Democratic House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch, who this afternoon called the allegations “extremely serious,” but stopped short of calling for her resignation. He did, however, say he would remove Ammons from House committees and review the budget to see if any funds need to be paused or reconsidered.

Just last week Democratic state rep Harry Benton stepped down after an ethics investigation revealed what welch termed “outrageous and unbecoming behavior.”

House republican leader Tony McCombie called on Ammons to resign immediately. Ammons is due to appear in court July 16 while she continues her unopposed run for reelection in this year’s midterm.

NBC Chicago called Ammons’ office on Wednesday and did not hear back.