State Sen. Elgie Sims approached in federal criminal investigation into alleged influence peddling by body cam company 2022

State Sen. Elgie Sims approached in federal criminal investigation into alleged influence peddling by body-cam company

 Illinois State Sen.  Elgie Sims was contacted in the spring by federal officials to investigate possible fallout, including a police body-camera manufacturer that hired a law firm that acted as a lobbyist.  sources told the Tribune.

   Sims, 51, a Chicago Democrat who spearheaded the state's major criminal justice reform legislation passed last year and represents parts of the South Side and south suburbs, was contacted by the FBI in early May as the investigation intensified, according to two sources with knowledge of the investigation.  But not authorized to talk about it publicly.

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   Sims' attorney told the Tribune that the senator did nothing wrong.

   According to sources, the ongoing investigation involves Arizona law-enforcement technology company Exxon Enterprise Inc.  including, who hired Foley & Lardner LLP to lobby the Legislature in Springfield and Chicago.  Sims is a "consulting" attorney at Foley, specializing in government affairs and public policy.

   Investigators are investigating whether Exxon - directly or through other lobbying organizations - is trying to improperly influence Sims in his official duties as an Illinois legislator working on criminal justice legislation.  Among many other reforms, every police officer is required.  According to sources, the state will be wearing body cameras by 2025.

   Sims' connections to Exxon go back to at least 2020, when he listed the firm as one of his clients on a 2020 lobbyist disclosure form with the Chicago Board of Ethics, records show.  On the form, when asked if he had received or expected to receive compensation for lobbying Exxon, Sims answered "yes," though he later clarified in a letter to the board that he was merely providing legal services.

   As of Friday, no one has been charged in the investigation.

   Sims' criminal defense attorney, Thomas Anthony Durkin, told the Tribune in a statement that the actions of Sims' constituents were never "compromised or otherwise affected."

   "In addition to being a state senator, Elgie Sims is also an attorney with the Chicago law firm Foley & Lardner, a respected national and international law firm," Durkin wrote in the statement.  "Senator Sims has never done anything improper on behalf of Exxon or any other client of the firm."

   Reached directly by telephone last week, Sims declined to comment.

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   State Sen.  Elgie Sims contacted a federal criminal investigation into alleged influence peddling by a body-cam company

   Jason Messner, Ray Long, Chicago Tribune - 1 hour ago

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   Illinois State Sen.  Elgie Sims was contacted in the spring by federal officials to investigate possible fallout, including a police body-camera manufacturer that hired a law firm that acted as a lobbyist.  sources told the Tribune.

   Gov. JB Pritzker Illinois Sen. after Pritzker signed a comprehensive criminal justice and police reform bill into law Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, in Chicago.  Elgie Sims Jr. (right) celebrates with Illinois Rep. Justin Slaughter (left).  State University.

   © Brian Casella / Chicago Tribune / TNS

   Gov. JB Pritzker Illinois Sen. after Pritzker signed a comprehensive criminal justice and police reform bill into law Monday, Feb. 22, 2021, in Chicago.  Elgie Sims Jr. (right) celebrates with Illinois Rep. Justin Slaughter (left).  State University.

   Sims, 51, a Chicago Democrat who spearheaded the state's major criminal justice reform legislation passed last year and represents parts of the South Side and south suburbs, was contacted by the FBI in early May as the investigation intensified, according to two sources with knowledge of the investigation.  But not authorized to talk about it publicly.

   Convert your home equity to cash before the recession

   Advertising

   The lending tree

   Convert your home equity to cash before the recession

   Sims' attorney told the Tribune that the senator did nothing wrong.

   According to sources, the ongoing investigation involves Arizona law-enforcement technology company Exxon Enterprise Inc.  including, who hired Foley & Lardner LLP to lobby the Legislature in Springfield and Chicago.  Sims is a "consulting" attorney at Foley, specializing in government affairs and public policy.

   Investigators are investigating whether Exxon - directly or through other lobbying organizations - is trying to improperly influence Sims in his official duties as an Illinois legislator working on criminal justice legislation.  Among many other reforms, every police officer is required.  According to sources, the state will be wearing body cameras by 2025.

   Sims' connections to Exxon go back to at least 2020, when he listed the firm as one of his clients on a 2020 lobbyist disclosure form with the Chicago Board of Ethics, records show.  On the form, when asked if he had received or expected to receive compensation for lobbying Exxon, Sims answered "yes," though he later clarified in a letter to the board that he was merely providing legal services.

   As of Friday, no one has been charged in the investigation.

   Sims' criminal defense attorney, Thomas Anthony Durkin, told the Tribune in a statement that the actions of Sims' constituents were never "compromised or otherwise affected."

   "In addition to being a state senator, Elgie Sims is also an attorney with the Chicago law firm Foley & Lardner, a respected national and international law firm," Durkin wrote in the statement.  "Senator Sims has never done anything improper on behalf of Exxon or any other client of the firm."

   Reached directly by telephone last week, Sims declined to comment.

   Exxon did not respond to a list of questions sent by the Tribune, but instead emailed a statement saying the company is "committed to conducting business with integrity and in accordance with the law and the highest ethical standards."

   "We take these matters seriously and, as part of our broader efforts to assist the government, have received no indication of any illegal conduct by Exxon or its employees," the statement said.  "We respect and appreciate this process and will continue to cooperate fully."

   Representatives for Foley and Lardner did not return multiple calls and emails seeking comment on the investigation.

   Sims is the latest in a wave of current or former state lawmakers to come under federal scrutiny starting in 2019, including former House Speaker Michael Madigan and former state Sens. Martin Sandoval, Terry Link and Thomas Collerton.

   The investigation is rooted in a familiar gray area of ​​Illinois politics, where lax ethics laws have made it legal for state lawmakers to lobby for other elements of government or provide legal services for businesses, regardless of those companies' laws or regulations.  Springfield, may have other direct interests in policy.