Son of Illinois Congressman Fired, Charged With Raping Prisoners

On September 10, 2007, the Illinois Department of Corrections (IDOC) fired Jeffery M. Rush, son of U.S. Rep. Bobby L. Rush (D-IL).

Jeffrey Rush, 42, who was employed as an assistant supervisor at the Fox Valley Adult Transition Center in Aurora, Illinois, had been on paid leave from his $54,408-a-year position since June 22, 2007 while an internal investigation was conducted.

Fox Valley is a 120-bed pre-release facility that houses female prisoners nearing the end of their sentences. Prisoners are allowed to leave the center for work, school or counseling and may be granted temporary release passes based upon good behavior.

Rush was terminated after the investigation confirmed allegations that he had sex with at least two female prisoners while they were on off-prison passes between April and June 2007.

It is a felony for an IDOC employee to have sex with a prisoner, and consent is not a defense under Illinois law. On November 16, 2007, Rush was indicted in Macon County on two counts of custodial sexual misconduct and four counts of official misconduct. He faces 47 similar counts in Kane County. The criminal charges are still pending.

Congressman Rush has expressed his unconditional support for his son. Illinois Governor Blagojevich (D), a political ally of Rep. Rush, had arranged for the IDOC to hire Jeffrey Rush in May 2003 – allegedly after the Congressman intervened on his son’s behalf.

Sources: Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Herald & Review