* I’ve seen this happen to several freshmen back in the day, particularly in the House, but never to a veteran. From the IG’s report on Sen. Ira Silverstein…

       

12 Comments - Perrid - Thursday, Jan 25, 18 @ 4:07 pm: So it seems like Silverstein himself was the victim of sexual harassment. Completely besides the point, except to point out how pervasive toxic behavior is among state legislators. - Wensicia - Thursday, Jan 25, 18 @ 4:11 pm: I feel like I’m following the script from a Jerry Springer show; it just seems to get more bizarre as it unfolds. - wordslinger - Thursday, Jan 25, 18 @ 4:13 pm: If I recall, those who would venture up to the gallery would be surprised by a round of applause from their colleagues on the floor. - Anonymous - Thursday, Jan 25, 18 @ 4:14 pm: Yes because if a married man doesn’t want to cheat he must be gay ugh. - Anon - Thursday, Jan 25, 18 @ 4:19 pm: Always listen to your staffers! - Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Jan 25, 18 @ 4:21 pm: Yeah, how about some action against that very enlightened “Senate colleague?” - @misterjayem - Thursday, Jan 25, 18 @ 4:29 pm: The great thing about that flavor of ‘prank’ is that the threat is so strongly implied, you don’t even need to threaten the mark with exposure, e.g. “No, no — don’t worry, Joe. It was just a joke between us pals. Nobody else needs to find out about this… We are pals aren’t we, Joe? Oh, of course we are!” And soon, the mark is asked to do a ‘favor’ for his ‘pal’… – MrJM - DuPage Saint - Thursday, Jan 25, 18 @ 4:35 pm: I would say this is a high school prank but would be insulting to high schoolers. No wonder Illinois is in the shape it is - Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Jan 25, 18 @ 4:39 pm: ===If I recall, those who would venture up to the gallery would be surprised by a round of applause from their colleagues on the floor.=== Yep, andoccasionally the Chair would be in on it and recognize the member when they were up in the gallery. - Robert the 1st - Thursday, Jan 25, 18 @ 4:42 pm: So this is a “thing?” Embarrassing. - LobbyistGrl - Thursday, Jan 25, 18 @ 5:22 pm: I would agree that the fact that this is even a “thing” that has been done once let alone repeated shows the environment these folks have created which is - for hundreds of us - our workplace whether they are our direct employers or not. - Pritzker's Toilet - Thursday, Jan 25, 18 @ 6:02 pm: I hear ‘Senator’ Manti Teo once fell for this… Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.