GOP lawmaker wants governor to testify on program

CHICAGO (AP) — A vocal Republican lawmaker called Wednesday for Gov. Pat Quinn to testify before a legislative commission over a scandal-plagued anti-violence program the same day a published report showed the Quinn initiative gave money to a nonexistent program that claimed to help former inmates.

The Neighborhood Recovery Initiative, already under federal and Cook County inquiries, was the subject of a scathing state audit earlier this year outlining “pervasive” problems with management and spending. More questions have arisen on the 2014 campaign trail as Quinn seeks re-election and recently in legislative hearings, where former state officials have been subpoenaed to testify.