State Representative’s Son Sentenced for Sex with Inmates

ST. CHARLES, ILLINOIS – The son of U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush was sentenced Wednesday to 180 days in jail for sexual contact with female inmates at an Illinois corrections facility where he worked.

Jeffrey M. Rush, 42, of Lake Zurich was sentenced after pleading guilty to three counts of official misconduct in a deal with prosecutors. Kane County Circuit Court Judge Timothy Q. Sheldon also ordered Rush to serve three years probation.

Two counts stem from Rush’s tenure as chief of security at the Fox Valley Adult Transition Center in Aurora.

Rush had sexual contact six times with one woman between May 10 and June 18, 2007, including occasions when he authorized additional release time so they could meet outside the facility, according to a release issued by the Kane County state’s attorney’s office.

Another woman met with and talked to Rush four times, including a meeting at her home in which Rush had sex with her, the release said.

The third count stemmed from two incidents in which Rush, acting in his official capacity, gave a third woman a ride home in his state vehicle.

None of the women claimed the sexual encounters were involuntary. Rush was fired in September 2007 and indicted two months later.

“Mr. Rush engaged in a pattern of conduct abusing his position of trust with the Illinois Department of Corrections for his own sexual gratification. This sentence sends a clear message that this type of conduct will not be tolerated,” said Assistant Kane County State’s Attorney Justin Fitzsimmons, who prosecuted the case.

Attempts to reach Rush for comment late Wednesday were unsuccessful.

His father, Democrat Bobby Rush, is seeking re-election November to his seat representing Chicago’s South Side and southwest suburbs.

Courtesy Chicago Tribune