Ill. lawmakers debating investigation's next steps

Illinois lawmakers are set to continue debating how to proceed with their investigation of Gov. Pat Quinn's now-defunct anti-violence program.

The bipartisan Legislative Audit Commission is meeting Thursday in Chicago.

Federal prosecutors are also investigating. They asked lawmakers to wait to question former Quinn administration employees involved with the Neighborhood Recovery Initiative.

The commission agreed Wednesday. But lawmakers didn't agree on how long to wait.

Republicans wanted to call witnesses in October. Democrats rejected that.

The investigation has been a focus of Republicans looking to tarnish Quinn's reformer image. A state audit found "pervasive" problems, including misspent money.

Republicans allege Quinn used the $55 million program as a political slush fund to secure votes in 201. Quinn denies that claim and says he has "zero tolerance" for fraud or abuse.