Today, Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs endorsed JB Pritzker for governor at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s Illini Union. This marks JB’s third endorsement by a statewide officeholder after Comptroller Susana Mendoza and Secretary of State Jesse White endorsed the campaign.
“There is no one standing taller for Illinois families than Treasurer Mike Frerichs,” said JB Pritzker. “Mike works hard every day to put his office on the side of working families. While Bruce Rauner racks up state debt, Mike is fighting for the investments that will help reduce the debt. And while Bruce Rauner lets businesses leave our state and wastes opportunities, Mike is finding ways to encourage investment in our economy and looking to the future. I think it’s time Mike had a partner in the governor’s office, fighting right beside him. Together, we’re going to make Illinois a place people respect and a place where innovation happens. When I’m governor, we’re going to help small businesses thrive.”
“As the state’s chief investment officer, I’m confident that JB Pritzker will restore fiscal responsibility in Illinois and I’m so proud to endorse his campaign today,” said Illinois State Treasurer Mike Frerichs. “I’ve seen firsthand how Bruce Rauner has wrecked our state finances, putting Illinois through a historic budget impasse and pushing colleges and universities to the brink. We must bring Illinois out of financial ruin and I know JB is ready to get our state back on track. JB has real plans to stand with our entrepreneurs and college students, grow our economy, and create jobs across the state. I look forward to standing with him to invest in our communities and chart a new path forward for Illinois.”
*** UPDATE *** ILGOP…
Mike Frerichs is “Standing Tall” for Mike Madigan’s Handpicked Candidate
With a record of standing in Madigan’s shadow, no surprise Frerichs has lined up with Pritzker
“With yet another Madigan ally lining up behind Pritzker, it is clear that the Madigan Machine will stop at nothing to secure the nomination for Pritzker. Mike Frerichs has repeatedly stood with Madigan to gerrymander legislative maps and hike taxes on Illinois families. Now, Frerichs plans to do the same with J.B. Pritzker, Mike Madigan’s handpicked candidate for governor.” - Illinois Republican Party Spokesman Aaron DeGroot
On Wednesday, Mike Madigan ally and tax-hike supporter Mike Frerichs endorsed J.B. Pritzker for Governor. The announcement comes as no surprise as Frerichs has a record of blocking reform to protect Madigan’s power.
During his time in the Illinois Senate, Frerichs voted in support of Madigan’s gerrymandering of legislative district maps.
Frerichs also voted for the 67% Quinn-Madigan tax hike that put an increased strain on Illinois families already grossly overtaxed by Democrats in Springfield.
Madigan’s Tax Hike Team is back at it, adding one more name to the growing list of Madigan cronies backing his handpicked candidate for governor, J.B. Pritzker.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* Press release…
Today, Daniel Biss announced the endorsement of Illinois State Representative Carol Ammons, who represents the 103rd District.
“After three years of working with Daniel on progressive legislation that prioritizes working families and the marginalized members of our state, I was filled with hope when he announced his run for governor,” said Representative Ammons. “Today, I am proud to endorse Daniel Biss for Governor of Illinois.
“The 2018 election will be a defining moment in Illinois’ history. We have the opportunity to change the landscape, direction, and priorities of Illinois politics all across the state by voting in our local elections all the way up to the governor’s race” said Representative Ammons.
“With his decade-long record of grassroots organizing and legislative accomplishments to make our state a better place for middle-class families like his own, Daniel is the progressive leader I trust to lead that change. I look forward to rallying our communities and our state around a hopeful 2018 election cycle.”
“Carol is a progressive champion and it’s an honor to welcome her to Team Biss,” said Daniel Biss. “This campaign is about building a grassroots movement to fight for middle-class and working families in this election cycle and beyond. Recognized in her own community, across our state, and even by Bernie Sanders as a tireless leader of the progressive movement, Carol is an invaluable member of our team. Her passion and dedication have been an inspiration in the legislature and progressive community, and I look forward to working together on the campaign trail and beyond.”
In endorsing Daniel Biss, Carol Ammons joins other progressive leaders and organizations including U.S. Congresswoman Robin Kelly, former Lieutenant Governor Sheila Simon, State Representatives Kelly Cassidy and Will Guzzardi, and many more. See the full list of endorsements here.
* Using union contractors on private home construction isn’t exactly common. But I guess stuff like this happens when Rep. Michael McAullife, Chicago’s only Republican state legislator, who has past union support but then repeatedly voted against unions on a bill to ban the creation of local “right to work” zones in Illinois and then hired non-union workers for extensive renovation work on his house…
Operating Engineers Local 150’s truck and IBEW Local 134’s van are pictured above. It’s IBEW’s rat and I’m told the union has established an official picket line.
150 is upset about a non-union excavator operating within the city limits, but they’re just doing “bannering” - meaning its truck drives around.
As you already know, 150 took the lead on the right to work zone ban bill, which could not overcome a Gov. Rauner veto.
I’ve asked the House GOP for a response.
Fair or not?
*** UPDATE 1 *** From Rep. McAuliffe…
I respect that people have a difference of option and the right to peaceful protest. This is the core of our democracy and fabric of our freedom. However, protesting outside of my home and driving a van with disparaging content in front of my children’s school is completely unacceptable. My presumed opponent, Merry Marwig and certain union leaders have demonstrated a new low in politics and while I respect that fact that we have a difference of opinion I would hope that the line can be drawn when it comes to disrupting the lives of my family and our neighbors.
It appears from one of the photos that Marwig was in the crowd at his house.
*** UPDATE 2 *** From Merry Marwig…
Michael McAuliffe has taken millions of dollars from Bruce Rauner, and he continually votes with Rauner at the expense of union families from our neighborhood. Just last week, McAuliffe broke a promise when he thought we weren’t looking by refusing to stand up to Rauner’s extreme assault on workers’ rights. After 20 years of Michael McAuliffe pretending to be our buddy when he’s in our neighborhood and then turning his back and selling us out in Springfield, it’s no surprise that hardworking men and women are calling out McAuliffe’s dishonesty.
It looks like U.S. Rep. Peter Roskam doesn’t think much of Alabama U.S. Senate hopeful Judge Roy Moore after all.
A few hours after refusing all comment on Moore and his alleged sexual misconduct toward teenage girls, Roskam is calling on Moore to step aside and let someone else fill the Senate seat that was vacated by fellow Republican Jeff Sessions when he became U.S. attorney general.
“The allegations leveled against Roy Moore are disturbing,” Roskam said, according to an NBC News tweet sent after Roskam refused to talk about Moore in a meeting with Crain’s editorial board.
“My office takes allegations of sexual assault and harassment very seriously, and I call on Moore to step aside (as GOP nominee) as a distraction to Senate and House members so they may continue focusing on serving the people,” the statement added.
Roskam’s office confirmed that it issued the statement, but said it was doing so only for media outlets that separately asked about his views. Roskam had told Crain’s that he was meeting with the edit board to talk about tax policy, and not other matters.
That wasn’t so hard, was it?
* In other news, this is from the Pritzker campaign…
Yesterday, Governor Scott Walker of Wisconsin joined Governor John Kasich of Ohio and countless Republican leaders in calling for disgraced candidate Roy Moore to drop out of the Alabama Senate race, but Bruce Rauner continues to say nothing.
Five women have now bravely come forward alleging Moore pursued sexual relations while they were underage, with a woman yesterday alleging Moore sexually assaulted her when she was 16. Nearly the entire Republican party has spoken out, but Bruce Rauner remains characteristically silent.
“This is another clear case of right and wrong, but maybe we shouldn’t be surprised by Bruce Rauner’s silence,” said Pritzker communications director Galia Slayen. “Whether it’s Rauner refusing to speak out about Donald Trump trying to sabotage Obamacare, failing to immediately denounce the anti-Semitism, racism, and violence in Charlottesville, or even acknowledging a racist cartoon printed by his supporters, time and again Bruce Rauner has chosen political expediency instead of standing up to his party and speaking out for what’s right.”
*** UPDATE *** From the ILGOP…
Hi Rich,
I wanted to pass along Mary Ann’s reporting from last night on Roy Moore (video attached). The Pritzker camp falsely stated that Governor Rauner has been silent on Moore, which is not true. The governor believes that Roy Moore should step down immediately.
Speaking of silence, where are J.B. Pritzker’s tax returns? 214 days have elapsed since Pritzker first pledged to release them.
Former Chicago Ald. Bob Fioretti announced Monday his intention to run against Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle in the upcoming Democratic primary.
Fioretti announced his candidacy at the Lansing Municipal Airport in the far south suburb Monday morning, choosing that location to highlight the difference in taxes Cook County has faced versus those across the state border in Indiana, he said.
“A penny earned is not a penny saved, it’s a new tax,” said Fioretti, who began circulating petitions to put his name on the ballot once the contentious Cook County sweetened beverage tax fizzled in October. Signatures are due Dec. 4 for the primary election to be held on March 20, 2018.
During the pop tax debate, Fioretti weighed in by setting up a website calling for repeal of the penny-an-ounce tax on sugar- and artificially sweetened beverages. His was just one of many voices pushing for repeal amid a multimillion-dollar Can the Tax campaign funded by the beverage industry. […]
After being zoned out of his ward during the once-a-decade council redistricting, Fioretti was among four challengers to Mayor Rahm Emanuel in 2011. He placed fourth with 7.4 percent of the vote, then endorsed Emanuel in the runoff contest over county Commissioner Jesus “Chuy” Garcia.
Late last month, Fioretti filed the paperwork to establish the “Bob for Cook County” campaign fund. To date, he’s reported no major contributions, and his most recent quarterly report for his mayoral campaign fund shows debts exceeding cash in the bank by $86,000.
Preckwinkle, by contrast, had nearly $361,000 in her campaign fund at the end of September and has received more than $27,000 in large contributions since then.
He was also badly clobbered when he tried to run for the state Senate last year, losing a primary to Sen. Patricia Van Pelt 68-32.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Preckwinkle for President’s Political Director Scott Kastrup Statement on Bob Fioretti’s Announcement to Run For Cook County President
“President Preckwinkle is focused on navigating the county through tough economic circumstances and leading on behalf of the people of Cook County. Her strong record of reforming county government and improving access to healthcare speaks for itself. She has been a national leader in the efforts to reform our criminal justice system; as a result, we have reduced the county jail population by 30 percent. In addition, the President has championed bail reform efforts that have significantly reduced the number of non-violent offenders and poor individuals in the jail.”
“President Preckwinkle has broad support across the county and is in a strong position to win re-election in March,” said Preckwinkle for President’s Political Director Scott Kastrup.
MEDIA ADVISORY: Gov. Rauner Our Home Our Fight Tour - Monday, November 13th
Governor Rauner will be on a tour across Illinois this week discussing his agenda. He will be visiting businesses across the state focusing on the next steps our state needs to overcome the corrupt system in Springfield and enact real reform that gives power back to the people.
See below for Monday’s events […]
10:00 AM - 10:45 AM: Decatur Business Visit and Media Availability
T/CCI Manufacturing
2120 N. 22nd St., Decatur, IL 62526
The governor will tour the facility and take questions from the media
12:30 PM - 1:15 PM: Champaign Business Visit and Media Availability
Pavlov Media
206 N. Randolph St #200, Champaign, IL 61820
The governor will tour the facility and take questions from the media
* Monday Pritzker press release…
Today, Bruce Rauner is kicking off a campaign tour with what should be called his “Home I Fought to Destroy Tour.” Rauner begins his tour with stops in Champaign and Decatur, two cities particularly devastated by his 736-day manufactured budget crisis:
From the Decatur Herald & Review: In Macon County, the budget deadlock threatened a spectrum of social service agencies, causing Baby TALK to lay off much of its staff and jeopardizing the future of the city’s only domestic violence shelter. It halted road projects and construction of Richland Community College’s Student Success Center and left schools holding the bag on tens of thousands of dollars trapped in a payment backlog.
From “Don’t minimize damage done to state already,” a Herald & Review editorial: Yet, after two years without a budget, those who depend on state money have cut programs, cut staff, cut recipients. […] “It will take years of hard work to reverse the damage that has been done,” Illinois State University President Larry Dietz said in a letter to faculty and staff. […] The lack of a budget, and subsequent [social service] agency and school cuts, had immediate repercussions, but more importantly, will have long-term ramifications for individuals, counties and the state.
From the Champaign News-Gazette: The two-year state budget impasse that ended in July took a toll on faculty salaries and undergraduate recruitment… The [University of Illinois] Urbana campus has slipped to 19th in its peer group of 22 universities nationally in faculty salaries, she said. It also saw an increase in faculty departures during the budget impasse. “We’ve lost ground,” [EVP of Academic Affairs Barb] Wilson said. “We’re not competitive.”
From Chicago Tribune: At public universities, officials and workers say some doctors and dentists, particularly those outside an insurance plan’s provider network, increasingly asked patients to pick up the state’s tab during the impasse. […] In downstate Urbana-Champaign and Springfield, where dentists are typically out-of-network providers, most University of Illinois employees are paying their full tabs upfront and waiting for the state to reimburse them, according to Thomas Hardy, a university spokesman.
“Bruce Rauner is kicking off his ‘Home I Fought to Destroy Tour’ with photo ops in cities he decimated across the state,” said Pritzker campaign spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh. “For Champaign and Decatur, Rauner’s budget crisis did irreparable harm and the fight now is to defeat this failed governor and clean up the damage he’s done to our state.”
…Adding… DGA…
One month after announcing his reelection, and two months after signing HB40, Bruce Rauner finally comes out of hiding to actually campaign for reelection. Today, Rauner launches his “Our Home, Our Fight” tour with visits to Decatur and Champaign, two cities hit hard by the state’s budget impasse. So far Rauner’s “fighting” has been relegated to campaign ads and desperately staving off disaster during the veto session, but today he’s set to get out there and press some flesh.
Rauner’s been hiding for good reason. With Rauner’s approval rating at 34%, voters clearly have lots of questions they want to ask the failed Governor, like:
Why did Rauner fight against finding compromise, instead of forcing Illinois through a two-year budget impasse?
Why job growth has slowed at home under his watch? “Our home” was the third worst at creating jobs over the past year.
Does Rauner regret that his fights pushed the state further into debt and forced its credit rating fall to the lowest rating ever for a U.S. state?
When he’s not trashing the state at home, why does Rauner thinks he can brag about the state’s higher education system while the budget impasse decimated Illinois colleges and universities?
Why has Rauner been fighting for himself, and not Illinois?
As the nation’s most vulnerable incumbent, Rauner’s got a lot of fighting to do to win back voters’ trust.
“Governor Rauner should call this the Our Home, No Fight tour – because he refuses to fight for Illinois’ economy and families,” DGA Illinois Communications Director Sam Salustro. “The only thing Governor Rauner will fight for is his own political career, and it shows. Under Rauner’s failed record, jobs and people are still moving out, debt is up, and services are decimated. No wonder he’s been avoiding voters.”
Chris Kennedy’s campaign for governor will begin airing its first television ad of the campaign starting tomorrow. The ad features Kennedy discussing the violence that plagues our state. In addition to the TV ad, the campaign will also release a digital ad tomorrow.
The Kennedy campaign isn’t saying how much the ads, which will air in the Chicago media market, will cost. “It’s just the beginning,” says a spokeswoman. But trade sources suggest it’s around $125,000—a modest figure as these things go, particularly compared to the tens of millions of dollars that Democratic rival J.B. Pritzker has spent, but still telling.
* Trade sources…
$$ ALERT @KennedyforIL booked TV from 11/14-11/19. We've seen a total of $125k in Chicago.
Governor Rauner has been repudiated by his fellow Republicans and Democrats in both chambers by a total vote of 164-3. It is a fact that in just FY 2017, Governor Bruce V. Rauner has fully embraced deficit spending to the tune of at least $2.8 billion that we now know of. We’ll echo Republican State Rep. David McSweeney’s spot-on analysis: “This is another example of failed Governor Rauner’s alternate reality … The governor lost [in the House] 112-0 on the override … The governor needs to provide full details about when he knew about this unappropriated [$2.8 billion.], what his plan for taking care of it is, and how in the future we’re going to address the overspending in the state of Illinois … We need to continue to put the pressure on him to explain this $2.8 billion.”
Illinois House Republican Leader Jim Durkin is stopping short of calling for embattled Democratic Senator Ira Silverstein to resign, after a victim’s rights advocate accused the Senator of sexually harassing her.
Durkin told “The Big John and Ramblin’ Ray Show” on WLS that even though the allegations against Silverstein are serious, the Senator deserves due process. Durkin also believes that newly appointed Legislative Inspector General Julie Porter will conduct a thorough investigation.
“I can’t speak for Senator Silverstein but I do believe that he has at least some process that has to be played out by the Inspector General. A complaint has been filed, she will investigate the matter. That will be taken up in an expeditious manner. I’m not going to speak for Senator Silverstein though. He’s in a situation where it is very troubling but I still believe that you are awarded process.” […]
Durkin also told WLS that the legislature could eventually take some kind of action against Silverstein, depending on Porter’s findings.
“There could be some type of action taken if there is a complaint that is determined to be well-founded or they believe that an act of misconduct did occur.”
Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has stopped short of calling for Sen. Ira Silverstein to resign following sexual harassment allegations against him from a female lobbyist. […]
Earlier this week, three top Democrats running for Governor called on Senator Silverstein to resign. Madigan wouldn’t go that far.
“Senator Silverstein should decide what Senator Silverstein wants to do,” he said. “We did this training session. We’ve passed the legislation. Our resolve is to have our task force, chaired by Rep. Currie, to continue to work on this, to take suggestions and ideas, and just continue to work against a culture of abuse.”
Interestingly enough, I don’t think the two Senate leaders have been asked this question.
*** UPDATE *** OK, Cullerton has been asked. Thanks, Monique!…
Asked yesterday if Sen. Silverstein should resign his seat, Senate President Cullerton said it was "up to him." https://t.co/0ZXL7xV0c5
And I’m told that Gov. Rauner told reporters today that it was a matter for the Legislative Inspector General to decide. But the IG can’t actually remove him from the Senate. The Senate can only do that with a vote of two-thirds of the members elected to the chamber.
Oh, man, that’s a long drive for such a small crowd.
* Last night, Biss held a town hall at Springfield’s Abraham Lincoln Unitarian Universalist Congregation. I didn’t see any pics online, but here are some tracker shots…
* In other not great news, Sen. Biss was unable to override a Rauner veto this afternoon…
We live in a state where women make eighty cents for every dollar a man makes, and where the gap is even more drastic…
* OK, if you click here you’ll see today’s roll call. The override motion received just 29 votes. Now, click here and compare that to when the bill passed. It received 35 votes back then.
So, what happened? Some Republicans flipped (as they did in the House), but some Democrats took a walk. If you compare the override motion roll call to a vote on another bill taken soon after (click here), you’ll see that five of Biss’ fellow Senate Democrats took a walk: Sens. Harris, Hastings, Holmes, Landek and Stadelman. Hmm.
* Not to be Debbie Downer, but Biss’ campaign also has not yet reported any contributions made in November.
* Out of 39 total vetoes by Gov. Rauner this year, 15 have been overridden, while 22 others stood (and 11 of those died after no action was taken). One more is still pending Senate action as I write this (prohibition of asking for wage history UPDATE: The override motion failed.). Out of 10 amendatory vetoes, 3 were overridden and no action was taken either way on 4.
* Here’s an Entertainment Software Association press release about a veto the General Assembly didn’t try to override…
The Geolocation Privacy Protection Act (HB 3449) would have resulted in burdensome, redundant, and costly disclosure and consent requirements to use Illinois residents’ location data. The bill’s unnecessary red tape risked significant negative impacts on everything from navigation apps to games made by the Illinois video game industry, which provides approximately 6,000 Illinoisans high-paying jobs and adds $354 million in revenue to the state’s economy.
“Governor Rauner got it right when he vetoed this job killing bill, and the legislature was wise to sustain that decision,” said Michael D. Gallagher, president and CEO of the Entertainment Software Association, the trade association that represents the US video game industry. “The Geolocation Privacy Protection Act would have reduced user convenience and stifled innovation and job creation.”
It is critical privacy protection decisions be made in partnership with tech sector experts who understand the benefits and challenges of geolocation. By working together and following Federal Trade Commission guidance, which recommends brief, easily understood disclosures and privacy controls – already provided by top mobile marketplaces and operating systems – policymakers and experts can protect Americans’ privacy and user experience.
* But here’s an override motion that received zero “No” votes in both chambers…
Active substitute teachers will be able to seek a refund of the $50 fee they’re required to pay when they apply for a state license under a new law sponsored by Senator Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill).
“This is an example of what we can do to ease up on the government bureaucracy that’s got a stranglehold on the teaching profession in Illinois,” said Manar, a member of the Senate Education Committee. “We have empty classrooms because of a statewide teacher shortage, a rapidly shrinking pool of substitutes and students who are suffering as a result. Curbing fees and eliminating unnecessary red tape will help address some of these problems.”
The Senate Wednesday voted 53-0 to override the governor’s veto of House Bill 3298. The measure authorizes a refund of the licensure application fee for substitutes as long as they can offer evidence of teaching at least 10 full school days within a year of being licensed.
The House overrode the governor’s veto 110-0 in October. The law goes into effect immediately.
School districts statewide are experiencing difficulty recruiting and retaining qualified full-time and substitute teachers.
During a hearing of the Senate Education Committee in Decatur Monday, lawmakers were told that teachers around the country often skip over Illinois when they’re looking for a job because of low starting salaries, licensure difficulties, lack of mentoring and other issues. The teacher shortage disproportionately affects districts in central Illinois and rural parts of the state.
* This override motion was unanimous in the House, but three Republicans voted “No” in the Senate…
In other action, the Senate voted to override Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s veto of legislation backed by Democratic Comptroller Susana Mendoza that would require increased reporting about state finances. The House already rejected Rauner’s veto, so the measure now becomes law.
Cursive handwriting will remain a subject in Illinois public schools thanks to the Senate’s action in overriding a veto of a measure that requires public elementary schools to offer at least one unit of instruction in the subject.
Assistant Majority Leader Kimberly A. Lightford (D-Maywood) led the initiative, noting it promotes the practical and fundamental values cursive writing has in education.
“Cursive writing is a skill children will need throughout their lives,” Lightford said. “You cannot write a check, sign legal documents or even read our Constitution without an understanding of cursive writing.”
Districts would determine by local policy at what grade levels this would be implemented as long as students receive the instruction by grade 5.
Under House Bill 2977, schools will be required to offer cursive writing beginning in the 2018-2019 school year.
About 100 moms came to the capitol to push for tighter gun laws. They want the state to license Illinois gun dealers and require most of them to install video surveillance systems. The bill the moms sponsor already passed through the Senate, but the House adjourned for the year before ever calling the bill to a vote.
“It’s very common sense,” Colleen Daley, of the Illinois Coalition Against Handgun Violence, explained. “Measure like background checks on employees, video surveillance on brick and mortar stores, and making sure there’s training for employees on how to identify straw purchasers.”
However, many Republicans say the bill goes too far, arguing it’s too broad and would interfere with the rights of law-abiding citizens to have access to guns.
…Adding… I just noticed that the House has its ethics training program online. Click here to see the study materials and take the test yourself.
* House members received some sexual harassment training yesterday, provided by the Department of Human Rights…
Two sessions were held behind closed doors in a Capitol room normally reserved for House committee hearings, with Democrats gathering in the morning and Republicans meeting in the afternoon. Senators are scheduled to get the same training Thursday.
The curriculum consisted primarily of a roughly hour-long slideshow presentation, which included an introduction to the idea of the “grandma filter” — if you wouldn’t do something or say something in front of your grandma, then you shouldn’t at work, either.
The presentation defined two types of sexual harassment. “Quid pro quo” harassment, the slides said, happens when sexual favors are requested in exchange for support of legislation, campaign contributions or employment opportunities. And a “hostile work environment” is when inappropriate or offensive jokes are the norm or there are instances of verbal or physical conduct that is sexual in nature.
The slides present various scenarios and ask if they qualify as sexual harassment. They also say that violations are “based on the perception of the victim, not the intentions of the accused.” The department also highlighted “third party harassment,” in which anyone affected by unwelcome conduct can also be considered a victim. Lawmakers were told to take immediate and documented steps to resolve incidents of sexual harassment.
* Good insight…
Lawmakers sexual harassment training includes 10 page powerpoint. This slide speaks volumes about the heart of the problem @ABC7Chicagopic.twitter.com/YDQYLvEzUe
* Mary Ann Ahern had these excerpts from the House training in her report…
Rep. Jeanne Ives told Ahern that she’d had similar training before, so she decided to skip yesterday’s training. She was the only House Republican to do so. Rep. Steve Reick (R-Harvard) had said he would boycott the training, but then changed his mind.
Some lawmakers said the increased awareness of the problem of sexual harassment in the capital is having a positive impact already and that the training will help.
“I think that will be very beneficial for everybody, but I’ve noticed a big difference just in the couple of days that we’ve been down here,” said Patty Bellock, R-Westmont.
Sexual harassment has gone from a topic that wasn’t talked about at the Capitol to one that is now the subject of awkward jokes.
Since allegations of rampant sexual harassment have surfaced in the wake of the Harvey Weinstein scandal in Hollywood, compliments at the Capitol are doled out with a caveat, and hugs come with a disclaimer that the hugger isn’t trying to offend.
“I’ve noticed people being more reserved in their interactions, particularly with women colleagues, almost to the point of farce, like making jokes about ‘Should I even hug you?’ ” said state Rep. Will Guzzardi, D-Chicago.
“I am glad it’s on people’s minds, I am glad people are thinking twice before they touch people,” Guzzardi said. “My worry is that when this isn’t under the bright lights, that people will just revert to their old ways of doing things.”
Madigan said the Illinois Legislative Ethics Commission continued to function for nearly three years while the Office of Legislative Inspector General was vacant.
To the extent that the eight-member commission continued to schedule monthly meetings and saw to internal matters, it did “continue to function.” This included its executive director receiving numerous reports of alleged ethics violations.
But without an inspector general, it could not function in its capacity to take substantive action on alleged ethics violations. This is why Denise Rotheimer’s complaint saw no action until she went public with her allegations in a House committee hearing.
There’s an element of truth in Madigan’s statement but there’s a lot more that’s missing. We rate it Mostly False.
