* AP…
Silverstein, who is married, told The Associated Press that he could not remember whether he did the things Rotheimer alleged, but also suggested that she might have been unhappy because the legislation has not yet passed.
“There were no mind games, no power struggle,” Silverstein said. “I was working the bill. That was my job, to work the bill. She might not like how bill was proceeding. Maybe that’s the issue here.”
“I apologize if I made her uncomfortable,” he said.
* From Sen. Silverstein’s exchange with Denise Rotheimer on November 21, 2016 at 10:49pm CST…
i will check to see if u r a true blond
* On to the process…
The legislative inspector general’s office is charged with looking into such complaints but has been operating for several years without an inspector general because lawmakers have been unable to agree on an appointee. The office answers to the Legislative Ethics Commission, a group of lawmakers appointed by legislative leaders. That commission is headed by Sen. Terry Link, D-Waukegan.
Link said the vacancy in the office’s leadership has not prevented it from operating. He said staff members receive complaints and investigate those deemed worthwhile. Once an investigation is complete, the office must seek permission from the panel of legislators to take its findings to law enforcement such as the state’s attorney or attorney general.
Link said he could not comment on any matters that have been referred to the inspector general or the ethics commission, nor could he say how many cases the inspector general receives or how many cases have been referred to law enforcement. “Nobody can talk about what goes on in that room,” Link said.
Asked if it was unusual for a person to wait for a year or longer to hear back about a complaint, Link said “not necessarily.”
“Some things take a long time,” he said.
Of the eight members on the Legislative Ethics Commission, just two are women. Because the inspector general’s office is vacant, no quarterly reports have been filed since 2014, which would at least give us an idea if there were any pending or recently closed investigations.
From last week…
(T)he office of the state’s legislative inspector general sits empty. The Legislative Ethics Commission’s executive director, Randy Erferd, attends only to the group’s administrative needs and did not return calls for comment by publication.
Despite this, $312,500 were appropriated for the Office of the Legislative Inspector General in this year’s budget. The same amount was appropriated in 2013, 2014, 2015, and for the 2016-2017 year. A total of $1,875,000 million has been appropriated for an office which has not been occupied and to pay for a staff which doesn’t exist. […]
“We haven’t found an appropriate person but I want to hasten to add that there have been no reports of ethics violations during that period of time so it’s not like there’s something that hasn’t been done,” [Rep. Lou Lang] said.
No reports? The Senate President’s office claimed they referred the Silverstein matter to Lang’s commission almost a year ago. Lang did not respond to attempts to reach him yesterday.
* Next up…
State Rep. Litesa Wallace, D-Rockford, along with her running mate, state Sen. Daniel Biss, announced a measure calling for expanding sexual harassment training last Tuesday.
But it wasn’t Wallace taking center stage at that hearing. Instead, it was powerful House Speaker Mike Madigan, who announced last week he was putting forward his own amendment, promptly scheduled a committee hearing, which he attended, and took the rare move of testifying before.
“I’ll say this, I think that once we see this as an example of the culture of power, and sexism and oppression that leads to the ability for men to maintain dominance - because that’s what this is about - maybe we’ll finally see change,” Wallace told POLITICO. “Here’s a rank and file female legislator who files legislation, here’s a male leader, a house speaker, filing the same legislation. There are very important inferences from what that means.”
OK, first of all, her bill was unveiled along with Sen. Biss’ companion bill via a Biss campaign press release. The campaign has tried since then to make some political hay off the issue by initiating a MoveOn petition to end sexual harassment. But it took down a tweet advertising the petition after receiving criticism for attempting to build a campaign mailing list off the issue and then the campaign killed off its online petition.
And it’s not the “same legislation” as Madigan’s. Wallace’s bill just isn’t as fleshed out as the Madigan bill, which was amended yesterday and will likely be amended again before next week’s floor vote.
But, yes, she certainly has a point about a man taking charge while a woman’s sexual harassment bill languishes in Rules Committee. It’s kind of odd that Madigan wants to be so out in front on this one.
* Related…
* As more harassment claims made at Capitol, lawmakers ask why inspector general post remains vacant
- OneMan - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:20 am:
If he had any sense, he would just stop talking at this point.
- Downstate - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:21 am:
“i will check to see if u r a true blond”.
That’s bad. Really bad.
But, I would sure like to see that in the context of the communications both before and after.
The exchange you posted earlier, Rich, certainly showed a friendly, if not lonely, bantering (on both sides).
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:23 am:
If Wallace cares so much about the gender of the bill sponsor, why didn’t she get a female sponsor in the Senate?
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:26 am:
–I apologize if I made her uncomfortable–
There’s no “if.” Anyone who saw or heard her testimony yesterday knows it’s clear she is more than “uncomfortable.”
- VanillaMan - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:27 am:
==“i will check to see if u r a true blond”.==
Quit now.
Repair your marriage.
Take care of your family.
They don’t need to see your sick comments vented in public anymore.
Be a real man.
Be a real husband.
Be a real father.
Step down and stop ruining their lives.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:28 am:
Just resign already
- Chris Widger - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:28 am:
Rich, that’s some real good reporting (and just good writing), weaving from his statements to the transcript.
- Sonny - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:29 am:
Silverstein needs to step down now. That’s one, how many dozens of creeps to go?
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:30 am:
===like to see that in the context of the communications===
It was kinda random.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:30 am:
Agree that he should stop talking. He is looking more like a buffoon. Career over.
- Just Me - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:30 am:
At the least, Cullerton needs to remove him from Leadership.
- Montrose - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:32 am:
“he could not remember whether he did the things Rotheimer alleged”
Nope. Sorry. That right there is a dead giveaway that he knows exactly what he did.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:32 am:
==But, I would sure like to see that in the context of the communications both before and after.==
Yeah, maybe they were talking about birth certificates and medical records. Wait, what??
- Anon221 - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:32 am:
After that truly offensive post of Silverstein’s from last year, maybe he should post exactly what he considers to be his “job description”. I wonder what his wife thinks of his posted intent.
- Jocko - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:34 am:
Along the lines of ‘Jumping the Shark’, I think Senator Silverstein just ‘Pulled a Sandack’.
- TopHatMonocle - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:34 am:
I agree that Biss trying to fundraise or build a mailing list off this issue is in poor taste. But jeez does that guy fold quickly over the slightest opposition or what. Maybe having to repeatedly walk things back should be a sign to think things through a bit more. At this point I have to believe the idiocy is coming from the top otherwise heads would have rolled by now.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:37 am:
So why is Cullerton not being held accountable for mishandling the complaint against Silverstein? Look I get the circle the wagons mode but that is not my concern
Cullerton referred this to an office that is supposedly “operating” but in reality failed. A failed non functioning office.
Rotheimers very very serious complaint
Was tossed off
Down a rabbit hole
Why is this not on Cullerton?
- Curl of the Burl - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:37 am:
Me - that’s what I said yesterday. People in leadership serve at the pleasure of the caucus leader - and there’s no reason Cullerton can’t just boot him out now.
Or, to make maximum hay, kick him out next Monday afternoon.
- Senator Tribune - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:38 am:
Give man a break. It’s rough working read news papers and drafting laws
- A guy - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:38 am:
This post of Inspector General should never be empty. Since she has already announced that she won’t be seeking re-election, Rep. Bellock should be considered for this. Hard to imagine she couldn’t get consensus from both sides. She’d be serious, fair and a very strong choice.
- A guy - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:39 am:
And Ira needs to go. Quickly.
- Perrid - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:43 am:
Honeybear, it’s been a day. We’ll see what happens with Cullerton. As Rich said on another post, many complainants don’t want their complaints going public, which limits what officials can do. We don’t know who knew what when, or what actions they did take. Right now, yes it’s looking like Cullerton dropped the ball, but it’s early days yet.
- Century Club - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:47 am:
President Cullerton, you are on the clock. The toe sucking comment, the true blond comment… a member of your leadership team is the face of the sexual harassment epidemic in Springfield. How long will you allow him to remain on your leadership team?
- Downstate - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:47 am:
Rich at 11:30,
If “i will check to see if u r a true blond” was randomly thrown in there, then he is burnt toast.
For people like the Senator, that aren’t sure if they are making someone uncomfortable with their actions, imagine your words and actions are with your grandmother. It offers a nice test of appropriateness while maybe taking away any urges.
- NoGifts - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:47 am:
Unfortunately, both parties might be reporting the truth of their perception. Powerful people often think people are being nice to them because they actually like them, not because they have to. She couldn’t respond how she probably wanted to “if you contact me again I’m calling the police” because of jeopardizing an important relationship, and such a strongly worded rebuke would likely be what it took to make the point!
- Responsa - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:50 am:
While we wait for more victims to come forward and name names (which I believe they will), I’d really like to see John Cullerton, Lou Lang, Terry Link and Melinda Bush as guests on Chicago Tonight to explain to us why nothing was done or followed up when some did come forward and name names. Just shameful.
- TopHatMonocle - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:50 am:
For those of you that are a bit slow, “i will check to see if u r a true blond” is the same as “does the carpet match the drapes”. Is that sexual harassment enough for you naysayers? Bye bye Ira.
- BigDoggie - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:51 am:
Well the six pack comment is a distant memory now. The true blond thing should be the end of any questioning now.
- Pull the plug - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 12:04 pm:
If this is an isolated occurance, then I can see why Silverstein would stick around and defend himself. Given the mutually playfull (but highly inappropriate) Facebook banter that was posted yesterday, it is conceivable he could survive. With his wife’s support, he could apologize and explain it away as unprofessional, flirty behavior that he should not have engaged in.
But this type of behavior is rarely a one-off situation. If there are other women with similar stories, Ira needs to pull the plug right away.
- WTFWYT - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 12:05 pm:
==- Responsa - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 11:50 am:
While we wait for more victims to come forward and name names (which I believe they will), I’d really like to see John Cullerton, Lou Lang, Terry Link and Melinda Bush as guests on Chicago Tonight to explain to us why nothing was done or followed up when some did come forward and name names. Just shameful.==
First ask if Lang, Link or Bush knew about the complaint. Lang is the only one who said he didn’t know.
- Responsa - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 12:09 pm:
The current “process” (and I do use the term loosely) as it was described here and elsewhere is beyond idiotic. Insiders evaluating insiders. Yeah, that always works. Passing the problem down the line while breathing a sigh of relief and washing your hands of it. Yeah, that always works.
It is obvious that with all the moving parts and committees and individuals who would have needed to be involved in even starting a single investigation there could be no hope or expectation of confidentiality and protection for those who wanted to, or did come forward for help.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 12:19 pm:
Creepy Ira steals the line from ‘The Office” (re: true blond)…..the show was about Sexual Harassment in the workplace. This guy should quit while he’s way, way behind.
- Sophomoric - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 12:24 pm:
@TopHatMonocle:
Maybe he did not refer to a comparison between the carpet and the drapes. He could have called her hairdresser or asked Miss Clairol for the answer.
It seems that too many people are conflating this unpleasant episode. It pales in comparison to the antics of Joe Berrios, George Dunne, or State Senator James “Bulljive” Taylor.
It is hard to emphasize with a “victim” who actively encouraged the flirting based upon the postings that were shown yesterday.
- Skeptic - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 12:24 pm:
Maybe I’m dense, but I don’t see how “see if you’re a true blonde” could ever be flirty or playful.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 12:27 pm:
The bs is outrageous - they left the IG position open for over a year because they couldn’t agree on who to appoint. Bull. They did agree that leaving it vacant was fine, as long as some damned Sexual Harassment issue came up and they looked like weaseling liars. They lost that gambit.
- Grand Avenue - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 12:27 pm:
This guy is up in 2018 - someone needs to primary against this lech. If he’s the Democratic nominee, a socially liberal Republican could beat him in November.
- Donnie - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 12:29 pm:
Sophomoric, you’re name fits you well.
- He should - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 12:29 pm:
Be called and told, you’re going to be removed from leadership at noon, the only way to avoid that is resign now. When he resigns is just a matter of time.
- Amalia - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 1:01 pm:
Sen. Silverstein should resign. But the Facebook comments….pages and pages of them….. go both ways.
- Downstate Danny - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 1:05 pm:
Silverstein is burnt toast at this point. A statement needs to come from Cullerton’s office by the end of the day removing Ira from his leadership position and, if he’s smart, Silverstein resigns by Noon tomorrow.
- Grand Avenue - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 1:05 pm:
Silverstein as the 50th Ward Committeeman and Lou Lang as the Niles Committeeman have a majority of the weighted vote for a replacement. Rep Lang needs to call Ira & tell him that if he resigns now, he’ll support who he wants as his successor and start getting signatures to get that person on the ballot because this is not trending upwards.
- Honeybear - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 1:06 pm:
Perrid- thanks for responding. I do need to breath. I get passionate in the best of times. This stuff makes me rather rabid. I didn’t think about other complaints.
My apologies to any offended.
Passion can be a blessing and curse.
- Odd - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 1:16 pm:
It’s a little creepy to me she still has pics of her and the Senator on her Facebook page. Really, more than a little creepy…
- Amalia - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 1:22 pm:
@Honeybear, thanks for being passionate both on the topic and in your courtesy. There’s a great deal of pent up anger in me on this topic, so I identify with what you wrote.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 1:24 pm:
I agree with Sophomoric, Rotheimer’s demeanor towards Silverstein made him believe they had this type of relationship to make open sexual jokes. She should’ve shut it down right away. I don’t see where she ever did. She played the game right along with him. Now she’s mad and trying to ruin him for some reason. Or just trying to get herself some fame.
- Arthur Andersen - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 1:41 pm:
Odd that Creepy Ira would have this thought a minute after scribing that “Rich Miller is paid to write lies about me”
Some kinda thought process going on there.
Time to go, Ira.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 1:47 pm:
Sophomoric, Anonymous@1:24 (pick a nickname), anyone else…
If she “shuts him down” her bill is dead. That’s the power angle of this. She may have made errors in judgment, I’m not saying she didn’t, but she also may have felt like she didn’t have a choice. That’s the insidiousness of sexual harassers in powerful positions.
- SAP - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 2:08 pm:
Maybe (1) the “real blonde” comment was made before Ms. Rotheimer told him that his advances made her uncomfortable and before she reported him to President Cullerton and Cullerton and Silverstein had there little chat about Silverstein’s conduct and maybe (2) the Silversteins have an open marriage, which makes all of this really, really gross, but probably not illegal. If, on the other hand, Silverstein’s conduct continued after he was told/warned to stop, he should just tell his story walking.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 2:19 pm:
“I’d really like to see …. Lou Lang …. as guests on Chicago Tonight to explain why nothing was done…
Ummm, I can guarantee you with 100% certainty that will never happen.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 2:28 pm:
==Maybe==
So harassment from people in power is good at any point prior to being told to stop. Got it. That should work well.
- Jocko - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 2:39 pm:
SAP @ 2:08.
I admire your heroic effort, but unless you can find the catchphrase/quote “I will check to see if you are a true blond” in some mainstream TV or film, Ira’s goose is cooked.
- wordslinger - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 2:44 pm:
–“i will check to see if u r a true blond”. –
Didn’t remember writing that one? Not sure if that might make someone uncomfortable?
Dude, if you’re going to take that route, invoke the substance abuse dodge and check into rehab. That used to work for some. I don’t know if it does anymore.
- Responsa - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 2:45 pm:
From some of the cavalier comments here it occurs to me that not all readers may be aware of the deeply personal origins of Rotheimer’s activism and why this crime victim bill she was pushing was so very important to her.
==Rotheimer’s political activism began after her 11-year-old daughter was sexually assaulted. The attacker, who had given the girl hard alcohol before sexually assaulting her, was sentenced in 2003 to 7 1/2 years in prison, just 18 months more than the minimum sentence.
Rotheimer felt criminal justice laws were unfair to victims, so she lobbied for what’s now known as “Jasmine’s Law,” which allows courts to impose longer sentences on those who commit sex crimes against minors when the perpetrators know or should know that their victims are under the influence of alcohol.==
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-ira-silverstein-sexual-harassment-allegation-20171031-story.html
- SAP - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 2:46 pm:
As I said, at a minimum very gross. I’ll add unprofessional to it as well. We have only seen some snippets and don’t know who started the 8th grade flirting and whether it continued after he should have known to stop. It doesn’t look good for Silversein and I’m not here to defend him, but I believe in process rather than guilty until proven innocent. (Even though I personally think he is probably guilty)
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 2:58 pm:
–I believe in process rather than guilty until proven innocent–
Process would be great. If there was an actual process here. She testified yesterday in part to bring this issue to light to make sure there is an actual process, and not just one on paper. She’s been trying to go through the “process” for a year now.
- Curl of the Burl - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 3:05 pm:
SAP - fair enough in an actual court or electoral process. But he serves in his leadership post at the pleasure of President Cullerton, so Cullerton could boot him from his leadership post at any time.
- MG85 - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 3:09 pm:
I’ve been reluctant to say this but I think it needs to be said:
I’m more frustrated by Senate Majority Leader Cullerton’s actions than I am of Silverstein’s. Are Silverstein’s alleged actions deplorable? Absolutely.
But they exist because of a system perpetuated by leaders who either fail to take action due to political allegiance or malpractice. Both are inexcusable and both should be intolerable to my party; the party who alleges it is pro-woman, pro-worker, and pro-human rights.
Cullerton, and the leadership, had options to take and they chose none. I don’t know the future of Silverstein but I guess when this whole thing reaches a fever pitch he will resign. In the meantime, however, he remains in leadership. Cullerton can’t remove him from leadership until the investigation is complete? I cry foul.
The Illinois Democratic Party, my party, is facing a watershed moment right now over this situation. If we are going to continue to hold the mantle as advocate for women’s rights and human rights, then we must be willing to show we are the change we seek.
Until the investigation is completed, I call for Leader Cullerton to remove Silverstein from leadership, I call for all political donors to refrain from donating to him, and I call for the Democratic Party to seriously consider whether or not John Cullerton should continue to serve as Leader.
If this were Rauner, the Democratic Party would have wanted his head on a pike yesterday. We don’t tolerate this from our political enemies but we certainly must not tolerate this lack of leadership from ourselves. We cannot continue to allow this system of injustice to exist, and it will continue to exist as long we have anything more than a zero tolerance policy for allowing our leaders to behave as Cullerton did.
- Anonymous - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 3:14 pm:
==She’s been trying to go through the “process” for a year now==
This. “Innocent until proven guilty”…ok. However, when nothing happens to even allow the guilt to be proven, the system reeks of one where someone “Could be guilty, but we don’t want it proven so we’ll just ignore it.”
- Textile prices - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 3:14 pm:
It is horrifying to read. It’s very intimate, active, and seems consensual from both. I’m concerned that this case gives the impression that sexual harassment victims actively engage in sexually suggestive conversations. We need a timeline.
People do have consensual raunchy sexual banter and relationships, and that must be distinguished from quid pro quo demands or unwanted harassment.
- Ron Burgundy - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 3:21 pm:
–the party who alleges it is pro-woman, pro-worker, and pro-human rights.–
It’s deplorable behavior from anyone, but if “more deplorable” is a thing it is where the perpetrator supposedly supports by their legislative record the very victims they are creating. Do they think they are insulated against scrutiny by their stance on issues? I think Anthony Weiner for one thought he was. It is just as deplorable on the other side when a supposed family values official behaves contrary to their espoused beliefs.
- John's Daughter - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 3:31 pm:
“People do have consensual raunchy sexual banter and relationships”
Exactly so this is why you need to shut it down when it makes you uncomfortable because for others its normal.
And yes I do believe the victim needs to communicate that it makes them uncomfortable because no I don’t believe the perpetrator automatically knows it does.
- SAP - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 3:33 pm:
As for President Cullerton, I hate to say this because I have had a great deal of respect for him in the past, but this one looks like he threw the problem in a hole and threw away the hole and didn’t realize that the hole was also a boomerang.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 3:50 pm:
===so this is why you need to shut it down ===
Just stop. If she shuts him down, her bill - a bill exceptionally important to her because it is a direct result of assault against her daughter - is dead, at least for the time being.
Your perfect world scenario is great in a vacuum, but this ain’t no vacuum
- Wait and See - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 3:57 pm:
I do not know what to believe. Did the accuser actually go to a hospital? Did she suffer hair loss? Did she lose weight? Denise Rotheimer’s recent photos do not seem to support such allegations, but maybe it happened many months ago. The critical period would be between March and November of 2016.
- WS Mama - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 4:22 pm:
Wait and See, are you saying that sexual harassment only occurs if there is actual damage? I am confused and confounded by your comment.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 4:27 pm:
WS Mama, she said yesterday she lost 20 pounds, her hair fell out and had to admit herself to a hospital because of Silverstein’s behavior.
- Wait and See - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 4:33 pm:
@WS Mama:
Denise Rotheimer made these claims yesterday. If she were telling truth (i.e. hospitalization), it should be easy to document. The question is whether or not she was embellishing her story for the committee. The on line postings can be read both ways.
Harassment can take many forms: hostile environment, quid pro quo, unwanted advances, inappropriate language or retaliatory conduct by the harasser.
I am not sure if her allegations would withstand scrutiny following a full investigation. I do believe an investigation is warranted.
- WS Mama - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 4:45 pm:
DR: I respect my elders. After your birthday o can no longer make fun of you
IS: I would not talk at least i do not have grey hair and wrinkes like you
DR: Booya That’s a good one. NOT
IS: insult me one more time and i will remove myself as the sponor of your bill
DR: Ah the threats. You can’t intimidate me silly besides you love the bill as much as me
IS: wait until thursday when u check the status of the bill
- SAP - Wednesday, Nov 1, 17 @ 5:03 pm:
Looks like Silverstein was ousted from leadership.
http://illinoissenatedemocrats.com/caucus-news/blog-archive/5967-senate-president-announces-leadership-change-harassment-awareness-training-anticipated-inspector-hiring?platform=hootsuite