* From a letter written by Rep. Scott Dury to Attorney General Lisa Madigan and House Speaker Michael Madigan regarding the widespread allegations of sexual harassment at the Statehouse…
In order to properly address this issue, it is critical that an independent special counsel who has no actual or perceived conflicts of interest be appointed to fully investigate existing allegations and the issue as a whole. At a minimum, the special counsel should be empowered to: 1) empanel a grand jury, if deemed appropriate; and 2) determine whether civil rights violations have occurred and take the necessary legal action to address the violations and prevent them from occurring in the future.
The full letter is here.
*** UPDATE *** Attorney General Madigan has responded (click here). She says she has recommended that the new Inspector General be an attorney with extensive experience as a prosecutor or with experience investigating allegations of sexual harassment. Also…
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
…Adding… I received a press release from another attorney general candidate yesterday, Jesse Ruiz, so I’ll post it here…
“I am disturbed by today’s reports that there have been 27 separate complaints filed with the Legislative Ethics Commission against members of the General Assembly – and that these complaints have been kept hidden and not investigated because of the failure to appoint a legislative inspector general for years.
“When misdeeds are ignored, our trust in government is destroyed. This is all too common in Illinois and it needs to stop now.
“We have the right to know when our public officials betray the public trust. I call upon the leaders of the General Assembly to take immediate action by naming an interim Legislative Inspector General who will swiftly and vigorously investigate these complaints.
“The people of Illinois deserve to know what’s going on underneath the Capitol dome. Sunshine is the best disinfectant – and it is clear from these latest allegations that Springfield needs an emergency dose.”
…Adding More… Press release…
Democratic Attorney General candidate Sharon Fairley on Thursday called for sweeping change to address sexual harassment and sexism in the Illinois General Assembly. Fairley, who would be the first African American woman Attorney General in Illinois history, demanded swift action by legislative leaders, and called for an independent investigation to identify which legislators or other actors may have been complicit in burying allegations of assault and harassment.
“As a woman in public service, the alleged conduct that has come to light in recent weeks comes as no surprise to me,” said Fairley. “What does disturb me, however, is that it certainly appears that the Illinois Legislature and leadership have not fulfilled their legal obligation to maintain a fully functional and independent Legislator Inspector General’s office. This has clearly allowed improper behavior to go unchecked.”
Fairley urged legislative leaders to move quickly to appoint a new Legislative Inspector General–a position that legislators have inexplicably left vacant for years. She also called on the legislature to increase staffing of that office, and to make changes to the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act that govern the Legislative Ethics Commission and Legislative Inspector General’s office to strengthen the office’s mission and independence.
Fairley called for an independent investigation into the Legislative Ethics Committee to determine why they have failed to comply with state law and appoint an acting Legislative Inspector General.
“Those who are brave enough to report harassment concerns to legislative leaders were told their complaints were referred to an office that does not currently exist, for all intents and purposes,” said Fairley. “Victims who filed complaints were led into an impenetrable bureaucratic maze. We must determine who knew what, and when, so that those actors can be held to account, and so that we can begin to eradicate the systemic sexism that led to this moment.”
Fairley noted that according to state law, the employment of staff in the LIG’s office is “subject to the approval of at least 3 of the 4 legislative leaders.”
“How can you expect a Legislative Inspector General to investigate ‘fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, misconduct, nonfeasance, misfeasance, and malfeasance’ if its staff has to be approved by party leaders? We must amend the law to create real independence for the Legislative Inspector General.” Fairley pointed to her own experience as the First Deputy and General Counsel to the City of Chicago Office of the Inspector General, which had a staff of over 60.
“The legislative leaders and members of the commission failed to take this issue seriously until they got called out about it publicly,” Fairley said. She also noted that the Legislative Ethics Committee, which is required to appoint the acting Legislative Inspector General, lacks diversity–it includes only two women–both of whom are white–and six men.
…Adding… Another one…
In light of recent reports of rampant sexual harassment reported by people of every age and socioeconomic strata from the private sector to the halls of power in Springfield, Mayor Nancy Rotering released the following statement:
“Sexual harassment is more than a violation; it is a crime. Serial offenders should be prosecuted and classified as predators. As the top law enforcement official in the State of Illinois, I will be a fierce advocate calling for necessary changes to protect survivors and end a cycle of abuse.”
The State of Illinois Human Rights Act prohibits sexual harassment, but the law sets stipulations which exclude some places of employment and void coverage for some claimants.
“As Attorney General, I will take a stand against intimidation and injustice as it is past time to punish those who subject people to fear and intimidation or sit idle as it happens. I will prioritize and fight for tougher laws with more severe penalties in an effort to end sexual harassment as well as retaliation against those reporting harassment. These actions will include a push for Springfield to amend the Human Rights Act to apply to all employers, regardless of size. On behalf of the people of our State, I will sue to enforce the laws to stop repeated discrimination and harassment, and seek the maximum penalties possible.”
- Signal and Noise - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 2:50 pm:
He is also willing to be the special counsel…you know…if asked…he is available. Just so you know.
- Belden Ave. - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 2:52 pm:
I’m no fan of Scott Drury, I agree with him on this one.
- Whatever - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 2:53 pm:
Welcome to the bandwagon — plenty of room, so jump on board.
- Conn Smythe - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 2:54 pm:
Link to letter is busted.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 2:57 pm:
A grand jury? I think he just like saying that because it sounds like Grand Drury.
Seriously, it’s a bit premature to empanel a grand jury when so little evidence is available. Perhaps Drury would he happier if they simply appointed a political Star Chamber.
You’d think a former federal prosecutor would know better.
- Wylie Coyote - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 2:58 pm:
How soon do the feds pay a visit? Or are they already there?
- Honeybadger - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 3:05 pm:
Go away, please just go away.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 3:09 pm:
–How soon do the feds pay a visit?–
To whom, about what?
- this guy - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 3:11 pm:
As a former federal prosecutor, you think he would know grand juries don’t investigate civil actions and there’s a big difference between sexual harassment and sexual assault.
- Chicago Cynic - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 3:16 pm:
Why don’t we start with appointing a legislative inspector general and allow the process that’s supposed to happen to happen? Turning what sounds like a civil matter into a criminal matter seems a bit excessive.
- Sigh - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 3:33 pm:
A grand jury, spoken like a former federal prosecutor {sigh}.
Did Drury make any statements when Governor Rauner made comments to a staffer? I mean there is a difference in saying that is a nice dress vs you’ve got that red dress going. It’s a good…. very….
Did the Governor ever acknowledge that his comment was inappropriate?
From Feb 15, 2017 Capitol Fax:
Rauner complimented the attire of an off-camera female aide, saying, “You’ve got that good red dress going. It’s a good … very …”
The aide responded that it was “a day of love,” and lamented that her boyfriend had moved to Chicago and that it would be “just me and my dog tonight.”
“Are you going to wish everyone Happy Valentine’s Day?” the aide asked Rauner. The governor replied, “I wasn’t, but now maybe I will.”
“You don’t have to but,” the aide said before Rauner cut her off, adding, “I think it’s a good idea.”
“It’s humanizing,” the aide responded as Rauner laughed.
https://capitolfax.com/2017/02/15/on-a-lighter-note/
- jim - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 4:07 pm:
a guy hitting on a girl — or vice versa — isn’t a federal crime yet. give it a week or two before the FBI starts investigating.
- Baggs McCoy - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 4:11 pm:
Chicago Cynic for the win.
If you want to pile on the leaders for not having a Leg Inspector General then by all means. I get it is the silly season so everyone wants to get their name attached to this issue. But we don’t even know what the complaints are about and who they name. And remember…if they are not founded then we will never know who was named.
- Reality Check - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 4:14 pm:
We will know how serious the investigation is by which lawmakers will review this.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 4:14 pm:
===spoken like a former federal prosecutor ===
When your only tool is a hammer, all problems tend to look like nails.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 4:18 pm:
“You are aware..'’
Nice of the AGs office to say, but from the content of Drury’s letter, he clearly is not.
He really earns his Jamoke stripes, every day.
- Pundent - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 4:47 pm:
Always nice to see the AG’s office having to define to a prospective AG what the office is actually tasked with doing. Doesn’t instill much confidence in a Drury candidacy. Not that I had much to begin with.
- Sue - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 5:03 pm:
Someone please tell Madigan and Cullerton - this one doesn’t go away and by not stepping up they are digging their own respective graves. Thanks to Harvey Weinstein- this is the best way to end ones career in 2017- Silverstein needs to resign from his seat no questions asked
- Swift - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 5:06 pm:
On the odd chance that Drury wasn’t just spouting out words he heard when he was a prosecutor, could he be suggesting empaneling a grand jury to investigate the fact there is currently no legislative IG?
Might not be a bad idea for an ambitious state’s attorney to empanel a grand jury in an attempt to embarrass the Speaker and Cullerton.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 5:15 pm:
–Someone please tell Madigan and Cullerton…–
You realize the hearing where the allegations came out and the complaints revealed was called by Madigan?
Your willful ignorance as to the process for hiring of an inspector general is duly noted.
Comes in handy for you.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 5:39 pm:
Man, I feel old. Seems that I remember that some time after midnight on election night in 2002 a newly elected Attorney General delivered a victory speech that sounded like a primal scream therapy rant. I remember that she repeatedly claimed that her office was going to take on women’s issues and defend their rights.
Whatever happened to that Lisa Madigan? The culture of sexual harassment in the Capitol has been occurring throughout her tenure.
- Sue - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 5:52 pm:
We can always count on word to come to Madigans defense. Are you sure your really not Steve Brown. Only kidding
- wordslinger - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 5:57 pm:
Sue, my defense is of the facts. I understand those aren’t fun for you, but here’s how it actually works.
http://ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs4.asp?DocName=000504300HArt.+25&ActID=2529&ChapterID=2&SeqStart=5200000&SeqEnd=7400000
- wordslinger - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 5:59 pm:
Sue, I know you’re terribly outraged and interested in this matter.
Feel free to read the enabling legislation to find out who can really do what.
Only kidding. You’re not going to do that….
- Cassandra - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 6:07 pm:
Are all the complaints against actual legislators, given that there is presumably a rather large bureaucracy in and around the legislative branch. In any case, I think they should be investigated first because of the potential effects on pending and new legislation. It might be possible to do this fairly quickly although I suspect more of those involved will be getting lawyers, given the media furor. And that can slow down the process.
- Will Caskey - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 6:44 pm:
“Thank god Scott Drury is here to fix this.” -literally never uttered in the history of human speech
- Anonymous - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 7:03 pm:
“Thank god Scott Drury is here to fix this,” said the general public as those afraid of a grand jury investigation sought cover.
- Sigh - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 8:24 pm:
Is anyone concerned that McConnaughay, who is on the Legislative Ethics Commission and Drury, who is running for Attorney General both appear to have no knowledge of how the Commission or Office of Attorney General operate or the authority given to either position? As they are calling for transparency and action, do you think they can be transparent and tell us how/why they are qualified for the positions they are appointed to or running for?
- Lucky Pierre - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 10:31 pm:
Just another brick in the wall of why we lead the nation in distrust of state government.
Only after years of sweeping this problem under the rug do our leaders of the legislature react.
Pretty typical behavior unfortunately
- Ihatepolitics - Thursday, Nov 2, 17 @ 11:37 pm:
I just love the faux outrage from people like LP who are known supporter’s of the Republican party complaining about harassment when their standard bearer is Trump
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Friday, Nov 3, 17 @ 7:03 am:
==Did Drury make any statements when Governor Rauner made comments to a staffer?==
Why would he? Did the staffer complain? It looks like from the exchange that the staffer didn’t mind one bit. I’m sure it was a nice dress.
- Touré's Latte - Friday, Nov 3, 17 @ 12:00 pm:
Though I saw a pathway back into Springfield for Ron there…
Too soon?
- JB13 - Friday, Nov 3, 17 @ 2:24 pm:
I hear Renato Mariotti is a former federal prosecutor, and is looking to make a difference in Illinois. Anybody ask him if he’d be willing to step up? Or is he too busy saving us all from Trump?