Question of the day
Thursday, Jul 23, 2026 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Press release…
State Representative Stephanie Kifowit (D-Oswego) released the following statement regarding workplace protections in response to the Chicago Tribune article about former Rep. Harry Benton and the lack of accountability in the district offices of representatives in the IL House.
“The Illinois House has begun another review of policies in response to the allegations involving Representative Harry Benton. I am concerned with this pattern that is affecting women, such as the individuals impacted by the alleged behavior. In the past, we have seen similar situations which resulted in similar reviews of policies. This is nothing new nor do I believe any adjustment in policies or the law will bring about the meaningful change that is needed. Every employee deserves to work in an environment free from harassment, intimidation, or fear of retaliation.
The question before us is not how we respond after workplace harassment occurs. The question is why do legislative and district office employees continue to lack the workplace protections we believe all workers in the state of Illinois deserve.
Legislative staff are at-will employees. When someone’s livelihood depends on those in positions of power, reporting misconduct can feel like risking a career. No employee should ever have to choose between personal safety and a paycheck. This dynamic again unfolding now is far too common.
I have always supported the right of our staff to organize and have introduced legislation in the past to allow legislative staff to organize and collectively bargain, including House Bills 4587 and 646 in the 101st and 102nd General Assemblies and HB 4148 in the 103rd General Assembly. I believe they deserve the same workplace protections as other Illinois workers. Unfortunately, the efforts to unionize ultimately did not become law and we are again seeing why this vital legislation needs to be passed and lift the anti-union law that is preventing it.
During a recent discussion with the Speaker and members of the Illinois Legislative Women’s Caucus, one point became clear: we cannot wait until someone has been harmed before addressing the conditions that allow misconduct to persist and no amount of legislative action will prevent future occurrences except allowing workers the right to join a Union.
Collective bargaining is about more than wages and benefits. It creates independent grievance procedures, clear workplace standards, due process, and a protected pathway for employees to report misconduct without fear of retaliation.
Policies alone cannot change workplace culture. Lasting change requires enforceable protections. If we are serious about preventing workplace harassment, we must give legislative and district office staff the right to organize and collectively bargain. They deserve the same dignity, protections, and voice that we expect for workers throughout Illinois.”
* The Question: In the wake of recent developments, do you think legislative staff should be given the right to collectively bargain? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please.
- Staff Union Now - Thursday, Jul 23, 26 @ 12:15 pm:
Yes. And as proof that this is necessary, look no further than the fact that legislative staff are exempted from nearly every labor law protection in the entire compiled statutes. Who passed those laws? The people abusing staff. If staff can’t collectively bargain, this will always be a problem. There’s literally no other option, no other process to follow, by the legislators’ own design.
- The Carpenter - Thursday, Jul 23, 26 @ 12:16 pm:
I voted yes, its long past due. Staff on both sides of aisle at the executive and legislative level endure so much. On a good day they’re largely overworked and underpaid, and we are seeing now what can happen on a bad day.
Important to note though that collective bargaining won’t solve the problem entirely and may even be used to sweep more systemic issues under the rug. Who knew what, and when is something thats being asked a lot this month. Maybe its time to expand the “who” and the “when?” Years ago I knew statehouse lobbyists, staff, legislators and their partners who had heard rumors of what was happening and yet nothing was done or reported. Maybe it’s time for introspection from more of us/you.
- DuPage Saint - Thursday, Jul 23, 26 @ 12:27 pm:
I voted yes. It seems at this point it is needed for their protection
Another thing I have never been in favor of any legislative body exempting themselves from from the laws they inflict on the general public and business
- JS Mill - Thursday, Jul 23, 26 @ 12:31 pm:
Given the Democratic parties progressive positions on labor, there is no legitimate reason to oppose unionization of legislative staff.
- Bagger Vance - Thursday, Jul 23, 26 @ 12:35 pm:
I voted Yes.
As an alternative or enhancement of unionization, we should create “shall” language that requires management in the general assembly to immediately report sexual harrassment/hostile workplace complaints to the Legislative Inspector General, with the option to withhold the name of the whistleblower that brought them the information if that person so requests. Obviously they need to report the name of the victim(s) if known, but the victim then atleast has plausible deniability.
I would also require lobbyists to make a report. Kudos to the woman who came forward regarding Benton, but she probably was not the first. No lobbyist should be in the position of worrying about losing their lobbying job for chosing to report sexual harassment. Every lobbyist should be able to say “I was required by law to make a report.”
I agree with Kifowit that structural changes are needed. But the goal should not merely be to create a better grievance process, but to create an environment that is downright hostile to harassment the way bleach is hostile to germs. Lawmakers should know if they step out of line, consequences are automatic.
Finally, I think it is fair for Democrats to wonder aloud why Jim Durkin could have a “Zero Tolerance Policy” but their caucus apparently does not. A “zero tolerance policy” would have stripped Benton of his committees, his legislative staff, re-election support, and probably demanded his resignation.
- The 5th Deputy Governor - Thursday, Jul 23, 26 @ 12:39 pm:
This is just another reason why. The state constitution should cover any efforts to organize whether this happened or not.
Now, given this disaster, Dem caucus would be wise to promote a collective bargaining relationship (this time around)…
- purple people eater - Thursday, Jul 23, 26 @ 12:42 pm:
I worked in a legislative district office from 1997-2011. I was regularly reminded that the legislature had effectively exempted their district office from most labor law protections, I got told as a contractor I effectively had no rights, not even Workers Comp. I was stupid, I was loyal, and in 2012, at a new job, a week after my Mother died, I was asked where my petitions were. I threw the former Rep out of my new office. It felt right…
- Retired School Board Member - Thursday, Jul 23, 26 @ 12:42 pm:
When it comes to the issue of legislative staff being able to collectively bargain, the hypocrisy of the House Dems is beyond the pale.(I will admit that I am uninformed about the positions of the Senate Dems) Their campaigns are funded by organized labor, but they actively deny their staff the right to collectively bargain.
It is an abuse of power that defies description. The House Dems have proven to check every box of the worst boss checklist. At the minimum, the legislative staff need the protection of a collective bargaining agreement. The fact that the legislators enacted legislation to deprive these Illinois workers the rights that other workers in Illinois have is quite frankly, disgusting and most definitely contrary to the principles of the Democratic Party.
- Pundent - Thursday, Jul 23, 26 @ 12:45 pm:
Voted yes. But I would have voted that way before the issues with came to light. My view on collective bargaining is simple. If you don’t like collective bargaining create an environment employees see no benefit in it.
- District Staff - Thursday, Jul 23, 26 @ 12:49 pm:
Everyone always talks about Legislative Staff but District Staff is left out on their own. We need protection too.
- Simon - Thursday, Jul 23, 26 @ 12:52 pm:
== …nor do I believe any adjustment in policies or the law will bring about the meaningful change ==
And then she goes on to propose a new law.
Would any kind of law or collective bargaining process stopped Chris Welch from creeping on a staffer via social media?
We don’t need a new set of rules. We need to hold people accountable for violating the letter or spirit of existing laws and policies. In this case, that means picking a new Speaker.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Jul 23, 26 @ 1:00 pm:
===Would any kind of law or collective bargaining process stopped===
I mean, you could say that about any sort of law or union process.
That doesn’t negate the debate about unionizing.
I really don’t like arguments of that nature, btw.