Subpoenas are going out to five former members of Governor Pat Quinn's administration who were involved with his plagued anti-violence program. But two other insiders will not be served.
As Quinn seeks reelection, he continues to be dogged by a program rolled out just before his last, close race for governor. Republicans contend the timing wasn't a coincidence. They allege Quinn rushed to introduce the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative to curry favor with Chicago area leaders before the 2010 election.
A state audit and media reports reveal it was botched. A bipartisan group of legislators just voted to further look into it by issuing subpoenas to seven people.
The Democratic co-chair of the panel, Rep. Frank Mautino of Spring Valley, says Pony Express is delivering the subpoenas to most of them, including Jack Lavin, Quinn's last chief of staff.
But Mautino refused to sign off on two. He says because their involvement wasn't covered in the initial audit, it's outside the commission's scope now.
"My focus is on this audit, and the many, many things that were done wrong ... that should never be repeated."
Republicans say they wonder what Democrats are trying to hide.
