By Sam Hudzik, Illinois Public Radio
Chicago, IL – Republicans in Illinois say the resignation of Governor Pat Quinn's chief of staff has raised a lot of questions. And, they say, so has Quinn's decision to replace an internal government watchdog.
Quinn's chief of staff, Jerry Stermer, sent three emails from his government email account that related to campaign activity. That's according to a report from the executive inspector general that was obtained by the Chicago Sun-Times.
Quinn's office says he got a copy of the report on August 13th, the same day his inspector general, James Wright, was told he was being replaced. The governor's office denies there was any connection between the two events, noting that Wright's term had long since expired.
A statement from Wright read "If there is more to my firing than the expiration of my term, it is for you, the press, to investigate."
Illinois Republican Party Chair Pat Brady was more direct.
"Perception is often reality. In Governor Quinn's case, the perception right now is pretty ugly," Brady said.