SPRINGFIELD — Former U.S. Attorney Zachary Fardon has been named to the search committee for a new Illinois Legislative Inspector General by Senate President Don Harmon.

Fardon is arguably best known for his tenure as U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, where he oversaw prosecution in areas of corporate misconduct, health care and securities fraud, public corruption, gangs, terrorism and other criminal and civil matters.

He was part of the federal prosecution trial team that won a conviction against former Illinois Gov. George Ryan.

“Few know as much or have done as much to clean up corruption in Illinois as Zach Fardon. I’m honored that he accepted the invitation to help guide our search for a new inspector general,” said Harmon.

The search committee will review applicants and advise lawmakers on a potential hire.

Fardon currently leads the government matters practice group at the law firm King & Spalding. He serves on the firm’s policy committee and is the managing partner of the Chicago office.

The legislative inspector general is the authority for investigating complaints against lawmakers and employees of the legislative branch. The office was created in 2003.