* Press release…
Staff members of elected officials would be granted the right to file sexual harassment claims under a measure from Senator Melinda Bush that advanced out of the Senate Executive Committee today.
“The claims that have come out over the past several months have made it clear that we need to change the way we handle sexual harassment and make sure everyone knows where to go to seek justice,” Bush (D-Grayslake) said. “The fact that staff of elected officials aren’t considered employees and therefore aren’t protected under the Human Rights Act is egregious.”
Under the Illinois Human Rights Act, immediate personal staff of elected officials are exempt from the definition of employee and are therefore unable to report human rights violations, including sexual harassment, to the Department of Human Rights. Senate Bill 576 would delete this exemption.
“It’s clear that the system was set up to protect perpetrators and leave victims with nowhere to turn,” Bush said. “Legislative staffers should’ve never been excluded from the Human Rights Act. This measure will give them the same rights as every other employee in the state.”
Hard to argue with that.
* Meanwhile, the story setup…
The pressure continues to mount on House Speaker Mike Madigan after the dismissal of a second high-ranking operative from his political organization. Now the state lawmaker who was the victim of what Madigan called “inappropriate behavior” is speaking out.
* But the story itself is not quite as advertised…
Just last week, Representative Deborah Conroy (D-Villa Park) told Madigan about incidents that happened during her 2016 campaign. Madigan quickly cut ties with lobbyist Shaw DeCremer, one of his top lieutenants. […]
Last week, Madigan fired another top campaign worker, Kevin Quinn, for sending inappropriate text messages to Alaina Hampton, who worked under him. Now there are renewed calls for Madigan to step aside. […]
But Conroy said those calls are about making political headlines. She defends how Madigan is handling things and does not believe he should step aside.
“How can you disqualify somebody from leading a charge to bring for a change when we’re just in it now? I believe it’s changing now. I believe standing up, and what Alaina Hampton said and what’s being done now are all a part of changing your culture, so you can’t condemn someone’s attempt to change something when it’s just starting,” Conroy said.
Your thoughts on this? Remember, Conroy herself was an alleged victim.
*** UPDATE *** From Rep. Deb Conroy via text…
Hi Rich, I just wanted to point out that while I am working very hard to change an entrenched culture others are seeking political headlines. Interesting that none of those have taken the time to reach out to me.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 4:02 pm:
I think Representative Conroy is exactly correct. These calls for resignation are more about political opportunism than they are serious concern for the issue.
- Some Anonymous Dude (S.A.D.) - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 4:20 pm:
Should this become law, what other rights and remedies would staff personnel have now under the human rights act. Just curious.
- anon - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 4:21 pm:
You can’t change the culture if the creators of the culture stay in place
- Centennial - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 4:22 pm:
This whole story confuses me. In 2016, Shaw allegedly bullied a candidate and her staff, and the candidate waited 2 years to report it to Shaw’s employer. I feel like it was her duty to speak up on behalf of her staff then? Doesn’t the buck stop with a candidate on her/his campaign?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 4:26 pm:
===waited 2 years to report it===
Were you a Roy Moore supporter? Because you’re sure using his talking points.
- A guy - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 4:32 pm:
It’s a shame that anyone has to go through this and, to date, there has been no real clear person to report it to. It’s a sick culture that must be changed.
- Centennial - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 4:33 pm:
Roy Moore? Of course. I would never compare a 14 year old girl being molested by grown man to an adult woman running for elected office, who is a hard working legislator, and more than capable of handling internal issues on her campaign.
- Thomas Paine - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 4:35 pm:
I don’t think there was anything nefarious about the exemption from the Human Rights Act.
Because of the separation of powers, there are generally quite a few exemptions in statutes for employees of both the legislative branch and the judicial branch.
I have to agree with Conroy on this point: Bush’s news release might get her headlines, but what does it fix?
Alaina Hampton was not a legislative staffer, and neither was Shaw Decremer. Presumably, neither were any of the individuals he allegedly mistreated — atleast, they were not working in their roles as legislative staff when they were campaigning. Bush’s release gets her name in the paper, but does nothing to actually address the situations presented.
The concerns about separation of powers and the Governor using the authority of the Department of Human Rights to go after legislators is not absurd. It also does not offer much of a solution when the allegations involve a Republican lawmaker and there is a Republican governor.
I still find it difficult to believe there were NO prior complaints about John Anthony prior to his implosion at the Department of Corrections.
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 4:35 pm:
I agree with Conroy. Nothing says that Madigan had to fire those two individuals. I know politics dictates they be fired, but I don’t think there is a law that forced him. He chose to do so.
- Because I said so.... - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 4:41 pm:
Totally agree with Conroy. She was a victim in this scenario, went to the appropriate authority (Madigan), who brought the parties together. The campaign worker was dismissed and Conroy was/is satisfied with the way her complaint was handled.
Let’s let the process develop and then determine if it is working or not.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 4:43 pm:
Dear Centennial, you bet Conroy would have stuck up for her staff in 2016 if she knew about it. Their is no better team in politics anywhere than “team Conroy”. I was told the stories last Thursday. How is that for timing?
Signed Conroy
- Come on, Man! - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 4:45 pm:
I think what is absolute B.S. is that Conroy has lost all agency as a victim. This is her story- not the media’s. The speaker tried to maintain anonymity on this, as did she. If a victim wants to go public that is their right but not wanting to go public does not preclude you from justice.
- Centennial - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 4:48 pm:
Maybe I am reading the stories wrong, but I read them to mean that Conroy herself was bullied, in addition to staff. Thereby, of course, she would have known about it in 2016?
- Abraham Obama - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 4:52 pm:
Deb Conroy is wholly funded by the Speaker. There is no way he could come out against him. I commend her for going as far as she went but no-one can expect her to say much other than what she has already. I really feel bad for her and the situation she’s in….you want to really stand up but you cant.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 5:00 pm:
Centennial- the personnel policy for campaign staff had no such clause or person to report abuses too. Steps are being taken to address this, time will tell if it is thorough enough. These steps to address this would not have been taken if it wasn’t for people like Conroy speaking out. I 100% support Conroy on this.
- Leigh John-Ella - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 5:21 pm:
Thomas Paine,
Bush’s legislation ensures that the single mom making $30K staffing some district office in the middle of nowhere with no other economic opportunities doesn’t have to put up with harassment and intimidation. It gives her the same rights as anyone else in the workplace.
Are you against that?
- Responsa - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 5:27 pm:
Some people in the district felt Melinda Bush did not cover herself in glory during the time Denise Rotheimer was trying to get someone’s/anyone’s attention for her situation with Sen. Silverstein. This proposed legislation will at least help another group of employees have a “place to go” to report misconduct.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 5:37 pm:
–Hi Rich, I just wanted to point out that while I am working very hard to change an entrenched culture others are seeking political headlines. Interesting that none of those have taken the time to reach out to me. –
That sounds likes its directed at those calling for “independent investigations” of “culture” without any specifics whatsoever as to how that would be done.
- Hoping for Change - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 6:27 pm:
While it is good Rep Conroy is satisfied with the solution offered by the Speaker, we must also remember many victims do not have the same access to the Speaker that she does. I do not feel as if the process deserves defending at this time. When a victim is truly represented we can all stand up and cheer together.
- whatthewhat - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 6:32 pm:
==- Hoping for Change - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 6:27 pm:
While it is good Rep Conroy is satisfied with the solution offered by the Speaker, we must also remember many victims do not have the same access to the Speaker that she does. I do not feel as if the process deserves defending at this time. When a victim is truly represented we can all stand up and cheer together.==
How do you know that the process isn’t working? Because Alaina Hampton said so? What makes you think victims aren’t represented? Do you even know what the process is?
- Unfortunate Downstater - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 8:56 pm:
I find Conroy’s words quite rich considering she is notorious for being rude and mean to staff herself. She is attempting to calm the fire now because she is heavily reliant on Madigan’s resources. She wants to have her cake and eat it too.
Of course much of what is being said in regards to Madigan stepping down is political posturing, but I think it is telling that so many in both chambers are ready to pounce on an opportunity to get rid of him. As they say, it’s best to go out while your on top, and it seem as though that is quickly changing for the dear speaker.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:17 pm:
The only thing unfortunate here is your lack of facts and your “he said, she said” story telling. I’ve previously had the opportunity to work with and for Rep. Conroy on and off for 2 year. I would never characterize her as mean nor rude. I’d characterize her as honest, a go-getter, and a legislator that speaks her mind. And If she were a man, I’m sure you’d be charactizing her in a much different manor.
- Truly, Honestly - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 10:24 pm:
Unfortunate Downstaters, this video is a response to your comment. https://youtu.be/zaXp3fVK2pg Please take it to heart.
- Perrid - Wednesday, Feb 21, 18 @ 11:36 pm:
I mostly agree, Madigan hasn’t done anything egregious here, not even allegedly. The worst he might have done here is not immediately and publicly firing top staff members, though it seems he’s learning since it seems he only had this complaint for a week.