Illinois Democrats call for state commission to probe Epstein files for local ties

A suburban Democratic lawmaker filed legislation Monday that would create a state commission to investigate potential Illinois connections to Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking operation.

The proposed bipartisan Illinois Epstein Files Investigation Commission would have subpoena power to probe crimes tied to the late financier that “happened in Illinois, targeted Illinois residents or involved people and institutions subject to Illinois law,” according to state Rep. Abdelnasser Rashid, D-Bridgeview.

“The Epstein files that have been released raise serious questions about who knew and who benefited, and whether public corruption, obstruction, sexual exploitation or other crimes occurred not only under federal law, but also state law,” Rashid said during a West Loop press conference.

Under Rashid’s bill, a 10-member commission would be able to refer cases to Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul’s office, where state prosecutors also would be empowered to seek a statewide grand jury to examine allegations of trafficking, sexual exploitation, racketeering, bribery, official misconduct, obstruction of justice and witness intimidation.

The legislation, if passed in Springfield, also calls for periodic public meetings and reports from the commission about potential local ties to Epstein’s sprawling network, which federal prosecutors have said preyed on girls and young women.

At Congress’ order, the U.S. Justice Department has released massive but incomplete troves of files related to the Epstein investigation, raising more questions about the wealthy elites who interacted with him over the years, including President Donald Trump. Former President Bill Clinton and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were deposed last week by a U.S. House Committee on their Epstein connections.

Lauren Lehman Carter, an advocate for sexual abuse survivors, said Illinois’ proposed commission “will seek accountability in the Epstein case as the DOJ is falling short.”

“The Epstein trafficking network had tentacles throughout the state of Illinois, and this bill will give our state the tools to investigate and hold every person accountable, no matter how powerful they are,” Carter said.

Rashid’s bill calls for commission members to be appointed by the governor, with at least three coming from a political party other than the governor’s.

A spokesperson for Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker said his office “will monitor and carefully review legislation as it moves through the General Assembly.”

The governor’s cousin, Thomas Pritzker, resigned as executive chairman of Chicago-based Hyatt Hotels Corp. last month after emerging in the Epstein files, exchanging about 20 emails with the accused sex trafficker from 2010-19, remarking on current events and making plans to see each other. Thomas Pritzker is not accused of wrongdoing.

Appearing on Jen Psaki’s “The Briefing” last month, the Illinois governor said, “I’m not close to my cousin, but I can tell you that it’s important that everybody get rooted out and determined whether they did something wrong or didn’t. And there were, I think, a lot of real atrocities that were committed here.”

Illinois House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, said in a statement that Epstein’s crimes “are among the most horrific in modern history,” but dismissed the commission idea as another Democratic publicity stunt. Illinois House Democrats passed a resolution without GOP support last week calling for the federal government to release all Epstein files.

“Illinois legislators cannot subpoena federal investigators, prosecute international trafficking rings, or conduct a parallel federal criminal investigation from Springfield,” McCombie said. “Creating a ‘commission’ here may generate headlines, but it does not deliver justice to victims.”

She pointed to her legislative efforts to bolster human trafficking laws: “If Rep. Rashid wants to stand with victims, that commitment should be consistent, and focus on meaningful reforms in Illinois that protect women and hold perpetrators accountable,” McCombie added.

Speaking in support of Rashid's bill were state Sen. Graciela Guzman, D-Chicago, and state Rep. Anne Stava, D-Naperville.

Legislative leaders of the Democratic-controlled General Assembly were still reviewing the bill, which faces procedural obstacles to advance by the end of the spring session that concludes May 31. It was entered more than a month after a House bill filing deadline, potentially kicking it to lawmakers’ fall session.

Carter said Rashid’s bill would make Illinois a leader in addressing Epstein allegations. New Mexico legislators established a similar “truth commission” last month as investigators renew their scrutiny of a ranch Epstein owned in that state.

It’s not clear how many Epstein victims might have Illinois ties, largely “because it is not safe for all survivors to speak up, to come forward,” Carter said, underscoring the need to “center survivor safety in a trauma-informed way.”

“Many of us live in the shadows for many, many years,” she said. “Hopefully that will create an environment for more to come forward.”