Lawmakers Panel Order Seven to Testifiy on Anti Violence Program

Illinois legislators have voted to subpoena seven former state officials to answer questions about the troubled 2010 Neighborhood Recovery Initiative started by Gov. Pat Quinn.  

A subcommittee of the Legislative Audit Commission voted Monday. They were initially considering just one person for subpoena, but Democrats on the committee said they'd decided to hear from everyone at once. The matter requires a signature from a commission co-chairman, state Rep. Frank Mautino, a Democrat who wasn't at the meeting.  

The subpoenas ask for documents and testimony at a committee hearing next month.  

The individuals include Quinn's former chief of staff, Jack Lavin, and Barbara Shaw, former director of the Illinois Violence Prevention Authority, that was responsible for the $55 million NRI.

commission's other co-chairman, State Senator Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington), said the subpoena of Shaw was of particular importance.

"Over $100 million in taxpayer funds has been spent on this troubled program, yet it didn't combat the most violent neighborhoods of Chicago and we don't even know whether it made any meaningful impact on preventing violence", said Barickman in a news release. "Barbara Shaw can help us piece together how this happened."

Quinn announced the initiative shortly before the 2010 election.