After the Legislative Inspector General report issued Friday revealed mishandling of sexual harassment complaints by House Speaker Chris Welch, the House Republican women released the following statement:
“Speaker Welch promised the LIG report released Friday would show the Speaker’s office acted appropriately. Unfortunately, that is not true.
“The report found additional victims Speaker Welch knew about years before taking action. The record is worse than anyone knew, raising serious questions about his leadership. This report will also deter victims from coming forward in the future, knowing their complaints may not be taken seriously.
“There must be an immediate independent investigation into Speaker Welch’s office and his handling of these allegations.
“Every State Representative and public official in Illinois should join us in calling for Speaker Welch to step down.”
House Republican women include Tony McCombie, Norine Hammond, Jackie Haas, Amy Elik, Amy Grant, Jennifer Sanalitro, Nicole La Ha, and Regan Deering.
The super-majority House Democrats do not, as a rule, like taking the advice of Republicans, so I’m not sure what impact this will have.
* The HRO is putting only a few dollars (like $100 each) behind these ads. HRO…
Following Jessica Dixon Heitman’s reversal in saying she would accept support from embattled Speaker Chris Welch, the House Republican Organization is releasing a new digital ad highlighting her willingness to accept support from a leader accused of covering up sexual harassment allegations.
“Jessica Dixon Heitman had the opportunity to stand up to the wrongdoing within her own party, but instead she chose to fall in line with the political machine,” said Mark Cavers, Political Director for the House Republican Organization. “How can voters trust her judgment if she’s willing to accept support from someone accused of covering up sexual harassment allegations involving her former boss? The 97th District deserves leadership rooted in transparency and accountability, not more silence and political cover-ups.”
Speaker Welch knew about sexual harassment allegations and tried to cover them up. Now, Jessica Dixon-Heitman says she’ll still take his money anyway. That says everything about her judgment. She’s putting power over principle, politics over integrity. Jessica Dixon-Heitman, you just can’t trust her.
* HRO…
As Katie Stuart continues to refuse to speak out against embattled Speaker Chris Welch, the House Republican Organization is releasing a new ad today highlighting Stuart’s silence and her pattern of looking the other way when leaders in her own party face scandals.
“Staying silent is nothing new for Katie Stuart,” said Mark Cavers, Political Director for the House Republican Organization. “Just as she did during the Madigan era, Stuart is once again looking the other way while the leader of her caucus faces serious questions over covering up sexual harassment allegations. If she won’t speak up when it matters most, why should voters trust her to stand up for them?”
Katie Stuart loves to look the other way. Call out Michael Madigan? Not a word. Speak out against Speaker Welch over his cover-up? More silence. Katie Stuart is silent when it matters most. Katie Stuart, too weak to lead, too silent to trust.
