News

NIU trustees vote to rescind Hastert's honorary law degree

Posted May 20, 2016 7:00 am

The Associated Press

DEKALB, Ill. (AP) - Northern Illinois University trustees have voted to rescind an honorary degree given to former U.S. House Speaker Dennis Hastert.

Hastert must report to prison by June 22 to begin serving a 15-month sentence in a hush-money case. Hastert pleaded guilty to violating banking laws while seeking to pay $3.5 million to someone he sexually molested.

NIU trustees voted unanimously Thursday to rescind the honorary Doctor of Laws degree he was presented in 1999. The school's eight trustee said Hastert's "admission of criminal activity and sexual abuse of children does not reflect the values of the university or the spirit in which the degree was awarded."

The 74-year-old Illinois Republican's degree is the first NIU has ever revoked. Hastert's alma mater, Wheaton College, has removed his name from its government center.

Article Comments

Article Categories
Content Providers Illinois News Region

Article Comments

Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.