Independent. The Oxford English Dictionary says it’s an adjective meaning “free from outside control; not subject to another’s authority.”
We seem to be in need of a refresher on the concept.
When Illinois House Speaker Michael J. Madigan announced last week his chief of staff, Tim Mapes, had resigned from his job following allegations by clerk’s office employee Sherri Garrett that Mapes repeatedly fumbled harassment allegations and behaved inappropriately toward her and others, Madigan added, “I intend to appoint an individual with extensive experience conducting investigations to review all operations of the House of Representatives, including but not limited to the Clerk’s Office where Ms. Garrett works.”