* I’m told they gave Senate leadership a heads up on this and wanted to wait until after Sen. Jones’ leadership and committee issues were dealt with before stepping in…
Governor JB Pritzker issued the following statement in response to misconduct allegations against two legislators.
“Integrity is essential to public service, and corruption for personal gain and abuse in private or public is unacceptable. Illinoisans deserve to have elected leaders who are focused on representing them - not on holding office when facing serious and credible charges.
Sen Jones is accused of accepting bribes. And Senator Hastings is accused of abusing women. They should answer the charges and have their day in court. But in the best interests of their constituents, these men must resign from their offices. Resigning only their leadership roles falls short of what the public should expect. I want to send a clear message to the people of Illinois: corruption and abuse have no place here.”
…Adding… ILGOP…
“What is this ‘high ethical standard’ in today’s Democrat-controlled Senate?” said Illinois Republican Party Chairman Don Tracy. “Is everything short of a federal indictment and conviction ok? Senate President Harmon should call on Sen. Hastings and Sen. Jones III to resign.”
…Adding… Tribune…
Asked for examples of recent political corruption among GOP officials in Illinois, Pritzker’s reelection campaign responded with list that included the conviction of former Bloomingdale Township Highway Commissioner Robert Czernek, who pleaded guilty in March to accepting $282,000 in kickbacks, and the resignation last year of a former Winnebago County coroner who pleaded guilty to felony charges including theft from the government and official misconduct.
The list also included a member of the City Council in downstate Paris who was arrested in 2020 on sexual assault and abuse charges and two Senate GOP staffers who were charged with misdemeanors the same year for allegedly resisting arrest after they were found drinking beer at the Illinois Capitol.
…Adding… I should’ve said this earlier, but throwing those two staffers in with corrupt officials is over the line. Do better.
…Adding… This is kinda hilarious. I doubt anyone can get a poll in the field and results back this quickly and, even if you could, why would you bother testing this question? Of course it’s gonna be popular…
*** UPDATE 1 *** I asked for a response from Senate President Harmon. Here’s John Patterson…
The gravity of the accusations required immediate action and consequences, which is why the Senate President demanded and received resignations from their leadership posts. Now it is up to these individuals and their constituents to determine their futures.
*** UPDATE 2 *** I’m told that Harmon’s office reached out to the Legislative Inspector General’s office to make sure they’re aware of the allegations against Hastings and to offer cooperation if needed. Harmon is not supporting Hastings’ reelection.
*** UPDATE 3 *** Hastings refuses to resign…
*** UPDATE 4 *** Jen Walling with the IEC says others are “terrified” of coming forward to talk about Sen. Hastings…
Last week’s coverage outlined Senator Hastings’ clear record of angry and violent behavior in his personal and work life. I understand the risk that I’ve faced coming forward to underscore my concerns and tell the stories about how he has mistreated me, but it’s important that the Illinois State Capitol be a safe working environment for all.
I have heard from many others with similar stories who are terrified by possible consequences of coming forward. I am grateful for the public support of Governor Pritzker and want to echo his call for Senator Hastings to resign and be removed from any positions of power in the Capitol, such as the role of committee chair. I hope other senators will support this call and support anyone else that comes forward. This individual is a liability to the state of Illinois and the lawmaking process.
*** UPDATE 4 *** Hastings’ Republican opponent…
Patrick Sheehan, candidate for State Senate in the 19th District, issued the following statement calling for the resignation of State Senator Michael Hastings:
“I have done my best to run a positive campaign on my record of supporting and defending our families and community,” said police officer and State Senate candidate Patrick Sheehan. “However, the abuse allegations against my opponent have become too serious to ignore. I join Governor Pritzker in demanding that Senator Hastings resign from the State Senate.
“As the Governor said in his statement today, ‘Senator Hastings is accused of abusing women. He should answer the charges and have his day in court. But in the best interests of his constituents, he must resign from office.’
“Taxpayers should not have to continue paying for Senator Hastings’ unacceptable behavior, and they definitely should not have to continue paying his Senate salary while he deals with these serious allegations. The people of the 19th Senate District deserve better.
“As a police officer for over 16 years, I have consistently defended women from their domestic abusers and harassers. I can tell you, the kind of people who conduct this type of behavior have no place in our government.”
- vern - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 8:18 am:
Good for him. I’m pretty surprised that no Senators got out ahead of it even with the advance notice to leadership. A bribery indictment is a pretty clear cut “time to go” situation, and Pritzker didn’t do much dancing around the Hastings allegations. You’d think “abusing women” would have some members of that caucus howling for Hastings’ head.
- BigLou - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 8:25 am:
Does he have a position on Speaker of the House having abused women?
- Okay then - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 8:41 am:
Was the same request for Elgie and Thaddeus lost in the second page of the release? Picking and choosing here makes it look really craven.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 8:43 am:
===Was the same request for Elgie and Thaddeus lost===
This comment proves once again that people will complain about literally everything.
- Loop Lady - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 8:51 am:
I was hoping Emil Jr would lead like his Dad…guess not,
Buh bye!
- vern - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 8:51 am:
===really craven===
Unless I missed something, he’s the first Democratic politician to call for either of them to resign. Seems… the opposite of craven?
- Who else - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 8:52 am:
Has the senate president had enough time to craft a Hastings response yet? Tick tock, times up.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 8:53 am:
==Was the same request for Elgie==
IIRC, Sims has only been “questioned” by the FBI, right? I don’t think that’s quite enough to draw many conclusions from.
- MG85 - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 8:54 am:
== Is everything short of a federal indictment and conviction ok?==
Boy should the GOP stay quiet on matters of resignation when questions of legality and morality arise. I know of only one Illinois Republican who has called for Trump to resign, no longer seek office, be held accountable for his crimes and his name is Adam Kinzinger. The GOP then censured Kinzinger for that position.
Harmon could say the allegations against both of his colleagues are simply witch-hunts trying to hurt him. He’s not. That’s what the GOP does. The ILGOP truly has no shame.
== Does he have a position on Speaker of the House having abused women?==
This is exactly what my thought was as well Lou. When can we expect JB to call for Welch to resign? When can we expect him to ask for Grace Hou and Marc Smith to resign since the former was accused of contempt and the latter has found to be in contempt?
When do we hear that JB calls on himself to resign since a report found he removed toilets from his properties to reduce his tax burden?
This is a precedent JB, and those who work with him, may soon regret. Accusations are now enough for calling on those accused to resign. Perhaps calling for Tremill could have been defended. Hastings hasn’t been accused of a crime. He certainly hasn’t been indicted. And this response seems to be in response to the Trib accusing JB of dodging questions about ethics. Knee-jerk reactions to petty Trib comments are not hallmarks of bold leadership.
We’ve gone from Think Big to Thin Skin.
- Stan - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 8:55 am:
I understand calling for Jones to resign, since he’s been charged.
But Hastings denies the police report. No criminal charges. That’s the same as Welch. He denies the police report. What’s the difference?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 8:58 am:
=== What’s the difference? ===
Because you skipped over a lot. It wasn’t just the police report. There are allegations from his estranged spouse and from a respected Statehouse lobbyist.
- Trap - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 8:59 am:
Can anyone be arrested for drinking beer at the capitol, or just Republicans?
- MisterJayEm - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:01 am:
“Asked for examples of recent political corruption among GOP officials in Illinois…”
Truth is that most Illinois Republicans have avoided political corruption in much the same way that I have, i.e. by not getting elected to public office.
– MrJM
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:03 am:
===arrested for drinking beer at the capitol===
Another victim heard from.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:05 am:
==Accusations are now enough for calling on those accused to resign. ==
When were they not? “Calling on those accused to resign” is cheap. It’s just words. There’s no force and effect to them. You think there isn’t someone out there right now saying that JB Pritzker ought to resign?
- Phenomynous - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:09 am:
Pritzker’s list of GOP corruption is hard hitting stuff. GOP should be careful about throwing stones with that kind of info out there. It could really come back to bite them.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:11 am:
Phenomynous, you need to learn how to use the snark tag /s
- Okay then - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:15 am:
My comment is reasonably being perceived as drive by. What I was getting at is there are varying degrees of “alleged” wrongdoing here. Being questioned, being investigated, being accused and being charged. If JB as head of the party feels a duty to be the line drawer, ok but you some risk there.
- vern - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:17 am:
My guess is that Bailey is referring to the garbage poll Flannery hyped, not internals, but who ever really knows with him.
Also pretty astounded by the comments today, seems folks want to talk about anything but the subject at hand.
- MG85 - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:19 am:
==You think there isn’t someone out there right now saying that JB Pritzker ought to resign?==
Context matters Arsenal. I wasn’t talking about standards for street screamers, I was talking about the Governor. If you can’t tell the difference between “someone out there” and the Governor of your state from the same party then I don’t know what to tell you.
- Amalia - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:19 am:
yep, he’s gotta do this. the ethics thing will get louder in commercials as things go on. Speaker and President’s son. don’t think the current Speaker will get drawn into it but I do find it remarkable that those issues went away as if they never existed.
- SWSider - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:24 am:
Legitimately surprised JBP did this as I typically find him to be overly cautious and deferential when it comes to issues of party. Kudos for doing the right thing and leading while doing it.
But I also legitimately laughed at his list of GOP corruption. Whom among us will ever forget where we were when we heard Rob Czernek went down? /s
- WLDS News - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:24 am:
I guess the GOP and the Democrats forgot about Sam McCann.
He ran as a Third Party Candidate against J.B. & Rauner.
It’s easy to see why both want to forget him. The Democrats want to push him aside because his failed gubernatorial bid was mostly funded by trade unions that had connections to Michael Madigan.
The Republicans want to forget him for his infighting with Rauner.
- Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:25 am:
These are adjoining Senate districts covering a swing area of the SW suburbs. While the Jones district won’t flip, and the Hastings one likely won’t either (though not as solid as the other) if these two remain on the ballot, the area they cover is important in other races and their presence could be bad for Dem turnout overall. I have to think that is also at play here.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:26 am:
===that those issues went away as if they never existed===
The reason they went away is that the alleged victim from years ago has not said anything. If she had stepped forward, he would’ve been instantly toast. She didn’t. As far as I know, she made no attempt to contact anyone in the media or in politics, either directly or through an attorney.
As long as she does not challenge his version of the story and is content to leave it in the past, there’s not much that can be said or done.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:29 am:
===My guess is that Bailey is referring to the garbage poll Flannery hyped===
He was referring to MAA’s tweet which suggested that Pritzker had to poll it first.
===seems folks want to talk about anything but the subject at hand===
It’s been my observation that Sen. Hastings has a small legion of supporters who regularly comment here. Which reminds me, I need to start checking for duplicate IP addresses using different screen names.
- twowaystreet - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:32 am:
==So, Thaddeus get INDICTED==
You sure about that? Last I saw Thaddeus was under investigation but no charges have been filed. Feel free to drop a link if I am wrong.
To the post, generally positive that the Governor is calling for their resignation. Although Pritzker has stayed hands off on ethics reforms and let the GA do their thing. I doubt that will change.
- Hannibal Lecter - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:40 am:
=== So, Thaddeus get INDICTED, but no calls for a resignation.
Hastings gets accused and gets asked to resign? ===
When was Thaddeus indicted? Make stuff up much?
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:41 am:
===You sure about that?===
lol
That person is sure about it, but that person is also wrong and the comment was deleted. Move along.
- SpiDem - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:46 am:
Harmon’s response to these issues in his caucus has been incredibly weak. I mean, Jones was charged in a. Information, not a grand jury indictment, which almost certainly means when Jones is in court tomorrow, he’s going to plead guilty. And this has been clear since the news broke. The guy will be a convicted felon for public corruption by the weekend, and we just ask for him to give up leadership and chair positions? What???
Harmon’s also been radio silent on Hastings. Yes, they tried to quietly convince him to resign and aren’t financially supporting his race, but there’s been no public pressure at all.
I suspect part of the reason Pritzker has been silent is out of a desire to give the Senate President the opportunity to take the lead on the issues with his caucus. But Harmon has completely dropped the ball, and now the Governor felt someone had to step up.
Color me incredibly unimpressed with Harmon’s abdication of leadership here.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:48 am:
==I wasn’t talking about standards for street screamers, I was talking about the Governor.==
Then what’s the bad precedent? If it’s a standard for The Governor, then which Governor is going to call on Pritzker to resign? If he’s Governor, he won’t do it himself, and if he’s not Governor, there’s nothing for him to resign from.
(Unless, of course, he’s POTUS, but there’s already articles of impeachment filed against Biden, so let’s not pretend anything about “precedent” there.)
Context, indeed, matters, so start acting like it.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:51 am:
==Legitimately surprised JBP did this as I typically find him to be overly cautious and deferential when it comes to issues of party.==
There are fewer and fewer rival power bases in the party that he has to answer to or make nice with. Madigan is gone, and Welch is content to follow his lead. The Durbin/DPI play fizzled. Lightfoot has her own problems. You might argue that Harmon and Labor are the only two left, and it’s probably worth noting that this move bedevils one of them.
- Arsenal - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 9:56 am:
==which almost certainly means when Jones is in court tomorrow, he’s going to plead guilty==
Sure, but I also don’t exactly mind him waiting for it to be official? But we’ll see if his statements change tomorrow.
- (Sigh) - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 10:06 am:
Oh, Darren. Saying we need need real reforms and clean house in Springfield. Mr. Bailey, how about that time you and a few of your Eastern Bloc’ers were on DNR property doing a Facebook live and the state park property was CLOSED. Who opened the gate so you could gain access & trespass?
Darren, my friend, as an elected official & a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, we need you to also follow the Rules. (sigh)
- Limericks and Lime Rickeys - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 10:28 am:
There once was a fella named Hastings
His career he was intent on wasting
When he hired Hanania
The echo chamber cried “Momma Mia!”
And waited for the November pasting.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 10:29 am:
===When he hired Hanania===
My best friend!
Seriously, what the heck was that dude thinking?
- Close Observer - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 10:44 am:
I think it’s time for a female SenPres.
- twowaystreet - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 10:45 am:
Hastings Island: Population of 2
==Now it is up to these individuals and their constituents to determine their futures.==
I’d be curious for Harmon to elaborate on how constituents should determine Jones’ future. Jones has no opponent in the election, so should they start a petition asking him to resign?
Maybe a write-in campaign?
- New Day - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 10:52 am:
Poll tested? Oh, Mary Ann. You’re too often these days a caricature.
- Pizza Man - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 11:10 am:
Look both men should resign period. Jones more so (than Hastings)as he was charged via an Information by the feds; let alone lied to them as well). Hastings should resign, not only accused by his spouse but also by a lobbyist, and should be focused on this disturbing personal issue. He can not effectively represent his constituents and discharge his duties effectively.
Lastly, Sen. Harmon looks very weak on both issues. C’mon - the gov had to step in to do the job??
- SpiDem - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 11:16 am:
Once again, Harmon disappoints.
Gotta say he’s been a surprising disappointment as Senate President. I had expected him to be much more effective. But Welch has been far more impressive in managing a much more difficult and fractured caucus.
- Pizza Man - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 11:20 am:
@ SpiDem - totally in agreement.
- Wndycty - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 11:26 am:
Given that it’s too late for Jones or Hastings to be replaced on the ballot would they have to resign twice? Once for the current session and again if they are re-elected? Jones is unopposed Hastings has an opponent.
- Squints - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 11:31 am:
It feels like JB’s cleaning house and rebuilding the party and I’m here for it.
- Annonin' - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 11:56 am:
Speaking of bipartisan kinks how can we forget the Confessed Congressman from Peoria Ray LaHood. Who went to a foreign oil baron for a “loan”; then lied to the FBI, filed fake disclosures and got a pass from the Trump/Barr DOJ. Of course he did his community service with starring role in a Ken Griffin campaign scheme.
- Leigh John-Ella - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 12:18 pm:
– I’d be curious for Harmon to elaborate on how constituents should determine Jones’ future. –
Reading that inspires this question:
Wondering aloud, has anyone in that district called for Jones’ resignation. Public outcry from local leaders, voters calling for Jones to go might go a long way toward making that happen.
Right now a bunch of outsiders are saying the guy the locals elected needs to quit.
- Close Observer - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 1:14 pm:
@Squints - Completely agree.
- The Real Downstate - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 1:41 pm:
JB calling for them to resign is a smart move politically and doing so before Harmon could also be seen as a bit of a backstab, but honestly Harmon should already have done so. Asking for them to resign from leadership and not supporting their re-elections is simply not enough. Do better, Don.
- Almost the Weekend - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 2:33 pm:
=JB calling for them to resign is a smart move politically and doing so before Harmon could also be seen as a bit of a backstab, but honestly Harmon should already have done so. Asking for them to resign from leadership and not supporting their re-elections is simply not enough. Do better, Don.=
JB lost a lot of credibility forcing Sen. Sullivan, especially compared to what is taking place at DCFS and Linda Chapa LaVia.
You can’t keep crying wolf, and playing politics, and calling officials resign, when actuallly need to resign. Harmon is going to support his members, even though both should probably resign.
On a side note, this Hastings story, is going to get a lot uglier before it gets resolved. Both parties are digging in so deep it’s basically trench warfare now.
- New Day - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 2:45 pm:
“Harmon is going to support his members, even though both should probably resign.”
Exactly. There’s a lot of chest thumping here from the anti-Harmon crowd who don’t seem to understand the role of Senate president. As much as folks might like him to make public demands on his caucus members, one of his primary jobs is to protect and defend his caucus members. And that means you wind up working quietly behind the scenes while you make more modest pronouncements in public. It’s unfortunate but that’s how this works.
Senate presidents can’t force his members to quit. He can take away their committee or leadership assignments if they don’t resign those posts, but he can’t make them resign their seat. And publicly calling for their resignation would not go over well within the caucus. Senate presidents and Speakers are not elected by the public. They are elected by and answerable to the caucus. And the caucus has been pretty darned happy with Harmon and his support so don’t hold your breath for any imminent change.
- New Day - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 2:47 pm:
To the update:
That’s a pretty solid statement by Hastings opponent. I’m thinking one way or another, Hastings days may be numbered.
- SAP - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 3:32 pm:
The Senate could “Derrick Smith” Senators Hastings and Jones, although that would not remove them from the ballot and they’d need to do it again in the Spring.
- Revisionist History - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 4:04 pm:
The Senate could remove Hastings and Jones from office now. But if they win reelection then they will back in the chamber just like Derrick Smith and could not be remove twice for the same reason.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 4:06 pm:
I think timing is a big problem for the Senate Pres. if they resign, they will still be on the ballot…what then? If the resign after the election, the picture is much clearer. Especially so for The Hastings seat.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 4:12 pm:
The Arroyo Rule in the House, in full effect, is not a choice of the Illinois senate.
Right or wrong, and I also completely mean right or wrong about the Rule itself too… the House handles indictments, now, differently.
I’ll leave it there to the very specific and pointed part of the Arroyo Rule’s non-existence
- LocalGal - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 5:18 pm:
re: Hastings - How does someone NOT CHARGED with anything get a day in court? Words matter, JB. Filed away report suddenly gets unearthed by unk LEO, well into campaign, opponent just happens to be a fellow LEO…
- Daisy’s Mom - Thursday, Sep 22, 22 @ 7:34 pm:
Cue the Yakety Sax and pull out the popcorn.