Welch Removes Ammons from House Dem Caucus, Doesn't Call on Her to Resign
House Speaker Chris Welch fell short of calling on indicted Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) to resign Wednesday. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
Hours after her indictment on federal wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and lying to an FBI agent charges, House Speaker Chris Welch did not call on Rep. Carol Ammons (D-Urbana) to resign Wednesday.
Welch released a statement Wednesday afternoon:
“The allegations in this indictment are extremely serious. Every person under our system of justice is entitled to the presumption of innocence and due process. The U.S. Attorney will lay out evidence in court, where Representative Ammons will have the chance to defend herself against the allegations.
“In the interest of upholding the integrity of the House and ensuring we can continue our important work without distraction, I am taking the following actions immediately while this case is pending: I am temporarily removing Representative Ammons from any and all House Democratic Caucus meetings, from all House committees, and from accessing Speaker’s Office staff and resources. Additionally, I directed my staff to review the budget to determine whether any funds need to be paused or reconsidered.”
Ammons, who was elected in 2014, was indicted by a federal grand jury on charges of wire fraud, lying to the FBI, and a conspiracy to commit obstruction of justice.
Ammons is a former member of Welch’s leadership team, having been forced to resign in 2023 for abusing her power while presiding over the House. A special prosecutor declined to press charges against her in 2020 for allegedly stealing a purse from a charitable resale shop. She also rankled local Democrats after the death of Sen. Scott Bennett in 2022, when she began calling to angle for the appointment to his seat within hours of his death.
Ammons is unopposed in the November election. Her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, who was also indicted, faces nominal opposition from Republicans in November. He received a pardon and expungement from Gov. Pat Quinn in the final hours of his term in 2015 for felony drug charges that allowed him to seek office.
House Republican Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savana) did call on Ammons to resign this afternoon.
