* The House Republican Organization calls out three targeted, female House Democrats on the Harry Benton case…
Two weeks after Representative Harry Benton was removed from the Democratic Caucus and stripped of his committee assignments, serious questions remain about why such an extraordinary step was taken.
As calls for transparency grow louder, Representatives Murri Briel, Suzanne Ness, and Katie Stuart have refused to speak out or demand answers from their own leadership.
Their silence raises serious concerns about transparency and accountability.
Illinois residents remember how many lawmakers stayed silent during the Madigan corruption and harassment scandals and refused to return the political money tied to his operation. Now, as serious questions surround Benton, that same culture of silence appears to be repeating itself.
If Democratic leadership believed Benton’s conduct was serious enough to justify removing him from their caucus and stripping him of committee assignments, the public deserves to know why and how it is being handled.
Representatives Briel, Ness, and Stuart should explain what happened and where they stand.
Until they provide answers, the questions will only grow louder:
• Will they remain silent on Benton just as many did during the Madigan scandal?
• Were they instructed by Speaker Welch or Democratic leadership to stay quiet?
• What exactly led to Representative Benton being removed from the Democratic Caucus and his committees?
• And if they cannot explain it, why should Illinois residents trust that anything is being handled transparently?
Illinois families expect accountability from the people they elect. Right now, the silence from Representatives Briel, Ness, and Stuart is speaking volumes.
Lots and lots of rumors out there. But we’re not even getting so much as a “We cannot discuss personnel matters” response, if that’s indeed the issue. It’s just “No comment” from the House Speaker and radio silence from Benton.
Discuss.
- twowaystreet - Wednesday, Mar 11, 26 @ 12:17 pm:
At this point, surviving through the primary election seems to be the goal by sidestepping.
My guess is we will learn more post-March 17.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Mar 11, 26 @ 12:22 pm:
===surviving through the primary election seems to be the goal===
That thought has crossed my mind, but Harry has no state Rep. primary opposition. I don’t see a reason to punt.
- Socially DIstant Watcher - Wednesday, Mar 11, 26 @ 12:47 pm:
==I don’t see a reason to punt==
But there’s also no reason to speak. There’s an investigative process. Maybe it’s playing out. Maybe it’ll run on it’s own timeline, and not one set by the super minority.
Both candidates are unopposed in their primaries. What are voters supposed to do with this partial information?
- Billy Bob - Wednesday, Mar 11, 26 @ 1:03 pm:
==What are voters supposed to do with this partial information?==
Demand transparency from their leaders.
- Totally Tony - Wednesday, Mar 11, 26 @ 1:04 pm:
Benton is referring all questions to his legal counsel, the Honorable Louis Lang. Lou knows this process.
- Think Again - Wednesday, Mar 11, 26 @ 1:06 pm:
=My guess is we will learn more post-March 17=
Dude should come out with his side asap ( even a non-denial denail), if he doesn’t, it gives Gabby Shanahan his GOP opponent tons of ammo for general, making him look like a political opportunist and ethically weak.
- SFE - Wednesday, Mar 11, 26 @ 1:10 pm:
Genuine question - is it appropriate to have someone share information about an ongoing investigation?
- Responsa - Wednesday, Mar 11, 26 @ 1:11 pm:
In this day and age it’s really hard to stay radio silent. All is needed is a quick google search. I suppose someone has a non voted on replacement in mind if Benton has to withdraw following the primary and before the general.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Mar 11, 26 @ 1:11 pm:
===What are voters supposed to do===
A duly elected legislator was stripped of all his committee assignments and banned from all meetings of the super-majority caucus without the slightest bit of information, and you’re talking about the primary and voters?
C’mon.
- short memory - Wednesday, Mar 11, 26 @ 1:23 pm:
Anyone with eyes can see this is a political ploy, but it’s overtly sexist to call out these 3 women and no one else.
The question of what happened should be directed to HARRY BENTON. Full stop. If there’s an investigation by the House Dems or Legislative Inspector General the only person who can confirm or deny it is Benton. Legislators do not have a constitutional or statutory right to serve on committees or participate in political caucuses. It’s a privilege granted by the elected leadership. There are no constitutional or statutory ways to “punish” a member other than expulsion. The Speaker’s decision to remove Benton from the privilege of participating in committees and caucus is within his sole discretion. Why he was removed is mostly irrelevant.
You want answers, pressure Benton to answer questions.
- Fluctus Campus - Wednesday, Mar 11, 26 @ 1:26 pm:
As far as I know, the decision to boot Benton from the Caucus and strip him of committee assignments was Speaker Welch’s, and Speaker Welch’s alone? Does the Caucus vote on this?
Not one Republican asked questions when former Congressman Tim Johnson was stripped of his House committee assignments.
No one ever dug too deep into Cal Skinner, as I recall.
Rumors about Lou Lang turned out to be just that.
Emil Jones III? Acquitted.
Senator Mike Hastings? Re-elected.
Who knows why Benton was booted? I am sure we will find out. Maybe it was salacious, maybe it was political, we just don’t know.
But given that Trump is witholding tens of thousands of Epstein documents, we know he is witholding them, and there’s been not a peep from the House Republicans, my advice is Democrats tell the GOP to remove the plank from their own eye.
“I won’t be lectured on morality or transparency by the party that is defying an act of Congress and protecting pedophiles by withholding the Epstein files.”
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Mar 11, 26 @ 1:27 pm:
That’s an appropriate username, short memory, because you’ve apparently forgotten 2018.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Mar 11, 26 @ 1:31 pm:
Also, a general warning: If you’re coming in here to try to change the subject… don’t.
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Mar 11, 26 @ 1:43 pm:
If there is an ongoing investigation and we should wait for answered why is he already removed from caucus and committees?
That is like punishment first, investigate later.