DECEMBER 11, 2015

WASHINGTON - In a letter sent today to Secretary of State John Kerry, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley wrote that cooperation from the State Department had increased, but the committee's highest priority request remained unanswered.

Grassley said that the committee's top priority, a request regarding Bryan Pagliano's emails, had not been fulfilled.  Pagliano worked at the department as an information technology specialist but was concurrently paid by the former Secretary of State to maintain the personal server at her home while he was a State Department employee.  He may have unique information regarding Clinton's personal server, its set-up, whether it was subject to Freedom of Information Act requests, and if it was appropriately configured and secured considering the highly sensitive information running through it.  He asserted his Fifth Amendment right against self-incrimination rather than speak to the committee.  Grassley is seeking copies of his official State Department emails relevant to the committee's inquiry before considering whether it might be appropriate to grant him immunity and compel his testimony.

According to State Department officials, the department cannot locate any copy or backup of Pagliano's official emails, except the limited number they are able to retrieve from other department employee email files.  The retrieval is also apparently hampered by the fact that the FBI has possession of Pagliano's State Department computer.

Grassley reiterated his request on Pagliano's emails because it is the highest priority that has yet to be fulfilled.  Out of a prioritized list of 22 requests pulled from letters to the department, the committee has received seven fully complete responses, including three witness interviews, and nine partially complete responses.  Grassley wrote that assuming the committee receives the additional items promised by State Department staff in a recent meeting, he intends to take action to recognize this progress before Congress adjourns for the year.

A copy of the letter can be found here.

CHICAGO - Governor Bruce Rauner announced today he has made appointments at the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation and the Illinois Finance Authority. He also reappointed the Kane County Public Guardian and Administrator.

Name: Kreg Allison

Position: Director of the Division of Real Estate - Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation

Governor Bruce Rauner will appoint Kreg Allison to become the next Director of the Division of Real Estate for the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Allison's experience in real estate and managing a large government operation make him the ideal candidate for the position.

Allison is currently Senior Counsel for Avison Young. Avison Young is the world's fastest-growing commercial real estate services firm with more than 2,100 real estate professionals operating out of 73 offices in five countries.

Prior to joining Avison Young, Allison served as the Administrator and Chief Legal Officer for the Hamilton County Clerk of Courts in Cincinnati, Ohio. During his tenure there, Allison managed the largest Clerk of Courts office in the State of Ohio with more than 300 employees and a $15 million annual budget.

Allison earned a law degree and MBA from The Ohio State University, and his bachelor's degree from Vanderbilt University. He lives in Chicago.

Name: Lyle McCoy

Position: Board Member - Illinois Finance Authority

Governor Bruce Rauner has appointed Lyle McCoy to the Illinois Finance Authority. He brings nearly 40 years of experience in finance and banking to the board.

McCoy is the former Managing Director of BMO Capital Markets where he was the head of public finance and infrastructure. He spent more than 30 years working for the company in a variety of roles.

McCoy earned his bachelor's degree from Queen's University and holds an MBA from York University; both universities are in Canada. He lives in Lake Forest.

Name: Diana Law

Position: Kane County Public Guardian and Administrator

Governor Bruce Rauner has reappointed Diana Law as the Kane County Public Guardian and Administrator. She has served in the position since 2012. Law has dedicated her legal career to helping senior citizens navigate the legal system.

Law is currently an attorney at Law ElderLaw, where she represents clients in litigation in regards to guardianships, financial abuse of the elderly and estate administration. She has worked for the firm for nearly ten years. In addition, she is fluent in Spanish, allowing her to serve and represent a broader group of elderly citizens.

Law earned her bachelor's degree from Goshen College and her law degree from Northern Illinois University. She lives in Geneva.

Friday, December 11, 2015

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley today released the following statement on the proposed merger of DuPont and Dow Chemical.  The Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over antitrust policy.

"DuPont and Dow are two titans of American industry and the proposed merger demands serious scrutiny.  Federal regulators are responsible for examining and approving the transaction to make sure that it's not anticompetitive.  Vigorous enforcement of the antitrust laws is imperative to maintaining an open, fair and competitive marketplace.   I'll be listening to Iowa farmers and consumers about any concerns they may have with this proposal, and the Judiciary Committee will be exercising its appropriate oversight function."