CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Illinois’ two U.S. senators, both Democrats, say they are in no hurry for the departure of Chicago’s U.S. Attorney, who was appointed by President Trump in 2017.
Instead, Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth said in a joint statement Tuesday that John R. Lausch Jr. should be allowed to wrap up sensitive investigations. Their comments come amid reports that the new Biden Administration would ask for the resignation of any U.S. Attorney appointed during Republican Trump’s tenure.
Durbin and Duckworth say they were not consulted. Lausch’s office says there has been no request for him to resign.
The senators say Lausch should remain at least until a successor is confirmed by the Senate. Typically, a U.S. attorney’s second-in-command assumes control if the top prosecutor resigns.
Lausch, of Joliet, collaborated with Chicago Police after the Trump Administration sent a wave of federal agents to Democratic cities that have become hot spots of street violence.
During his tenure, the feds have charged a succession of public officials on corruption charges. In the most significant case, ComEd admitted it handed out jobs in exchange for favorable legislation. The scandal brought about the effective demotion of longtime Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, who has not been charged with a crime.
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