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The woman who accused a high-ranking political aide to Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan of sexual harassment said Wednesday that she is being targeted in retaliation for speaking out.
Hampton told NBC 5 she was forced to send a cease and desist letter to Jack Hynes, an associate of Madigan’s who lives in the powerful Democrat’s 13th Ward and has ties to his political organization - including the supervisor she said harassed her.
The 28-year-old political consultant, who worked for Madigan’s organization intermittently beginning in 2012, said her attorney sent the letter after learning that Hynes was reaching out to men who know her “in an effort to get ‘dirt’ on her and determine whether she has had inappropriate relationships with those men,” the letter reads. […]
Hynes refuted Hampton’s claims in a statement, saying, “It’s unfortunate that a casual conversation among two friends has been escalated to the level of involving lawyers.”
“In an effort to advance an economic and political agenda, I have been thrust into the spotlight, despite the fact that I didn’t act on behalf of anyone, consult anyone or discuss this with anyone (other than the person I was talking to), especially Speaker Madigan or his staff,” he continued. “Any words spoken by me were innocuous and unrelated to the pending legal matter. To the extent my words offended Ms. Hampton, Speaker Madigan or anyone else for that matter, I apologize, that wasn’t my intent.”
* React from a Madigan member…
To be clear - he doesn’t deny asking about her personal life…he just describes it as “a casual conversation between…
Posted by Kelly Cassidy on Thursday, February 15, 2018
True. But the real question is whether MJM’s operation is that stupid and reckless to have this guy go dig up dirt.
*** UPDATE 1 *** From Steve Brown…
Michael Madigan told me there is nothing known about the situation. We are not involved.
*** UPDATE 2 *** More deets from the Sun-Times…
The lawyer for political consultant Alaina Hampton sent a “cease and desist” letter to Jack Hynes on Thursday, accusing her former boss at the nonprofit Chicago Heights Economic Development Corporation of trying to smear Hampton — and claiming that Madigan’s team put Hynes up to it.
“It has been brought to our attention that you, on behalf of the 13th Ward Democratic Organization and Michael J. Madigan, have been conducting an investigation to build a case to disparage Ms. Hampton’s professional and personal reputation,” wrote the lawyers with Kulwin, Masciopinto & Kulwin. “In so doing, you have contacted several of Ms. Hampton’s male colleagues, friends and acquaintances, in an effort to get ‘dirt’ on her and determine whether she has had inappropriate relationships with those men.”
* Ray Long…
The political operative booted from his job with House Speaker Michael Madigan’s Democratic organization over inappropriate texting to a female campaign worker was arrested Thursday on a charge of violating a protective order because of texts and calls to another person, suburban police said.
Kevin Quinn, 41, allegedly made calls and sent text messages on Feb. 10 in violation of the protective order, two days before Madigan announced Quinn had been ousted from the organization. Quinn is the brother of Marty Quinn, the alderman in Chicago’s 13th Ward, where Madigan has ruled for decades.
The issue erupted Monday when Madigan issued a statement announcing he had cut Quinn loose from the speaker’s government and political operations.
Quinn was arrested at his home on the city’s Southwest Side around 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Evergreen Park police said. He had pleaded guilty in January to disorderly conduct.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:09 pm
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It’s becoming apparent to me that Ms Hampton is intent on bringing down a Speaker.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:20 pm
#TimesUp for Ms Hampton, eh? The boys have heard enough.
Comment by JB13 Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:22 pm
==It’s becoming apparent to me that Ms Hampton is intent on bringing down a Speaker.==
It’s already apparent to me that Speakee Madigan (er, sorry, his “operation”) is intent on bringing down Ms Hampton for speaking against his holiness the Speaker.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:27 pm
==Michael Madigan told me there is nothing known about the situation. We are not involved.==
Seems like a lot of people around Madigan are doing things on his behalf….and he’s not aware. Right. Speaker Schultz “knows nothing”
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:29 pm
Take note of this moment….
We have now reached the beginning of the end IMHO.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:29 pm
I really, really doubt anyone sent anyone to try to dig up dirt or whatever after this blew up on Monday. There is no way it would have worked, and only serves to blow up in your face. If you wanted to do something like that it would have to be before all of this went public. I wanna know what kind of conversation/questions were involved. Was it just someone being curious about a news story involving people they know? Possible
Comment by Perrid Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:29 pm
based on the comments on threads on this topic, this is not surprising. also, I don’t believe MM knew anything about it, nor did his upper management. it’s just that’s how the group rolls. they go straight into that mode. and, totally what Kelly Cassidy said.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:36 pm
Perrid, you appear to be naïve, clueless, or both.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:37 pm
Be really interesting to see what the Dem Womens caucus does with this. Do they stand up for Alaina, do they push for real answers or do they just make a statement and do nothing?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:38 pm
Not to defend Kevin Quinn - what he did was out of bounds,and he should have known better, but given his arrest, it seems like his life is just imploding.
Comment by The Way I See It Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:41 pm
Anonymous at 9:29 —
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aK9OgXRDXxs
Comment by Just Me Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:42 pm
The chickens are coming home to roost.
The Madigan political organization — possibly the greatest political organization in Illinois history — is a relic from a different era. The issues that have led to this moment go far beyond Ms. Hampton, who I know to be of the highest character. The fact that they have been able to operate the way they have for so long is astonishing. That said, it is abundantly clear to all — including Jack Hynes — that they have finally messed with the wrong woman.
Comment by Snucka Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:42 pm
Whether Ms. Hampton dated other co-workers is irrelevant to the sexual harrassment charge. I am not sure how or why this is seen as “digging up dirt.” Lots of people date their coworkers, and it is nothing to be ashamed of. Even if she dated 12 other guys in the office, that would not make Kevin Quinn’s behavior okay.
Comment by Thomas Paine Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:44 pm
Anonymous @ 9:20:
Now we know which precinct captain was assigned to watch CapFax and make sure he was the first comment when this story got published.
Comment by Snucka Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:45 pm
Between the tone deaf press conference and now surrogates whispering amongst friends, I don’t believe Mr. Madigan is taking this as serious as he ought to be.
Madigan needs to have the Paulie to Henry chat from Goodfellas and tell everyone and anyone they’re on notice. Shut it down
Comment by Generation X Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:46 pm
Let’s see Pritzker defend a smear campaign, uh shouldn’t have taken that long
Comment by Rutro Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:47 pm
Too many people have taken fatal arrows for mike madigan… #timesup
Comment by Pritzker's Toilet Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:48 pm
It never ceases to amaze me how many politicians have to be pushed out, instead of going out in style. MJM is about to get a hard shove in the ribs.
Comment by Just Me Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:49 pm
What do people always say about threats and Madigan? He doesn’t have to make them because people already know what will happen to them. Whether he knew or not, his lieutenants don’t seem to know it’s no time for political thuggishness.
Comment by Marty Funkhouser Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:52 pm
@Snucka, how did you figure me out? You’re a mad genius.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:54 pm
Kelly Cassidy is awesome. I wish she would drop in here for a day and hang out sometime.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:54 pm
Steve Brown said-
“Michael Madigan told me there is nothing known about the situation. We are not involved.”
Whatev’s Steve. Involved and knowledge may be two different things to you and Speaker Madigan but it’s just a cute play on words to the rest of us.
Comment by Just Visiting Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:55 pm
Not that she could have predicted this exact chain of events, but it looks like maybe Lisa was very smart to set this one out.
Comment by Responsa Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:56 pm
Anon @ 9:54 —
I really think I did figure you out. I can sense the fear in your writing. The King is about to be dethroned, and the peasants are getting nervous.
Comment by Snucka Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:57 pm
*sit* this one out.
Comment by Responsa Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:59 pm
I also chalk this up to someone not being able to keep their Brute Squad in line more than an intentional, knowing smear campaign. Will that make a difference at the end of the day? We’ll see, especially if the caucus and the JBs of the world start distancing.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 9:59 pm
JB isn’t going to distance.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 10:01 pm
This is kinda like driving down a one way street in Chicago at 3:45am, hitting a parked car and getting arrested for a DUI.
Comment by Olivia Pope Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 10:02 pm
This move is too stupid to have come from Madigan. My read is, it’s probably a foot soldier taking an independent initiative in order to ingratiate himself with the boss. Hey buddy: you’re not helping.
I think apart from the harassment issue, this is ultimately about loyalty and adhering to a code of personal ethics. Hampton played a bad hand with honor, trusting the system and her superiors, and expected that loyalty to be recognized and rewarded. That’s what smart leaders do. But someone’s chauvinism in the organization, I can’t say at what level, blinded them regarding doing what’s right. They didn’t accept her after she counted on them doing the right thing. I don’t know who “they” are. I think maybe people at the campaign thought they were ditching a liability, but had they taken her on and demonstrated that the code was in place, they would have had a highly motivated and loyal staffer.
Had the people in the campaign taken her on, this would have been solved at the level of satisfying her personal honor and reputation, and in demonstrating that loyalty and discipline are valued. But however it was decided, and regardless of who decided it, they made a dis-honorable choice.
And it has created a weapon that Madigan’s enemies will try to exploit to the fullest.
If it finds it’s target, the organization has only itself to blame.
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 10:03 pm
I can’t believe for a minute that the benevolent Mr. Madigan would ever be involved in such shenanigans. This is a man only concerned with helping others. He never puts his own interests ahead of anyone, and he uses whatever little power he has only to benefit others. A true humanitarian is he.
Comment by SSL Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 10:05 pm
I remember a late South Side pol who referred to Madigan’s street crews as the “Madigoons,” so the references to Paulie Cicero and Henry Hill are apt. The boss may not have ordered it, but the foot soldiers may have been overzealous.
Alaina Hampton seems to be really credible (much more so that Denise Rotheimer).
Comment by Practical Politics Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 10:07 pm
Rauner has been eerily quiet about this matter..
Comment by Soothsayer Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 10:10 pm
==Rauner has been eerily quiet about this matter..==
When a snake is eating itself, you don’t disturb it
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 10:18 pm
In these sort of matters, it appears lately that they are never one-day things, that story one leads to more. Rauner is going to let this play out a bit. The sooner he says anything the sooner they are going to crank the ‘it’s Rauner’ behind this rhetoric.
Comment by OneMan Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 10:23 pm
Can someone explain who Jack Hynes is?
Comment by Sonny Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 10:26 pm
Using a the phrase like “to the extent…” sounds totally normal for an in-associated person to use…
Comment by Anon Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 10:26 pm
Sonny- wondering same thing if he is related to the 19th Ward Hynes’s?
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 10:34 pm
Wonder how much this cost Rauner??
Comment by Sickntires Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 10:39 pm
If I’m JB, I’m turning on Madigan here. I’m on the phone with Susana making a deal that they coordinate turning on him.
This is the weakest spot I’ve ever seen him in and if you want to make the party yours, you gotta knock him out. Those two turning on him would open the floodgates of reps asking for big Mike’s resignation. He wouldn’t be able to recover. It ain’t pretty, but we are taking about Illinois politics here.
Comment by Snapper Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 10:53 pm
Arthur Anderson, I didn’t say I thought they were too moral to try something like this, just (probably) too smart to do this intentionally 3 days after it blows up in the media. And also we don’t know what questions or conversations they are referring to as defamatory. She became news on Monday, so someone trying to figure out what she’s like, what she wants, etc would not be unusual, and probably isn’t immoral. Distasteful maybe. Is she blowing it out of proportion to help her lawsuit? That wouldn’t be uncommon for any lawsuit. I don’t know, and neither do you, so you might want to cool it with the insults.
Comment by Perrid Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 10:56 pm
When is Mendoza going to come out and say Rauner framed Quinn and Hynes
Comment by Anonymous Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 11:02 pm
I think it raises more questions about K. Quinn’s arrest re: the OoP, if the calls and report were made two days before MM ousted him, that tends to undermine the timing of this “investigation” and “ousting”. Care to change your bs story? EP is wholly owned subsidiary of Madigan Inc., just look at their “grants”.
Comment by Rutro Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 11:04 pm
I’ve read Hynes “statement” four times, and have no idea what he’s trying to say. It’s gibberish.
Anyone who would send this goof out to “help” in relation to this matter ain’t the sharpest knife in the drawer.
If Madigan is the supernatural all-powerful, all-knowing chess master many credit him as (for some reason), he might want to get a handle on his crew.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 11:14 pm
As I see it we are in a world where it is a sin to question the motives or the history of a woman who speaks publicly but everything about the accused and their family or friends is fair game. Why is that fair?
Not everyone thinks the motives behind this movement are absolutely pure.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 11:17 pm
@wordslinger, there’s no controlling goons, you just release them, and you’re stuck with the result.
Comment by Rutro Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 11:19 pm
–there’s no controlling goons, you just release them, and you’re stuck with the result.–
That doesn’t sound like a smart way to build long career.
Can’t have it both ways.
Comment by wordslinger Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 11:53 pm
Is he saying he is trying to “advance an economic and political agenda” or that she is?
Regardless it seems MJM is not attracting the best and brightest to his org right now.
Another day, another negative news cycle about MJM’s questionable stewardship of the Illinois Democratic Party that all other state Democrats will be stuck fielding questions about.
MJM needs to retire or be retired.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 12:27 am
Has Marie Newman said a word? FEC records list Ms. Hampton as a Newman campaign payee starting last April and going through December.
Comment by Northsider (the original) Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 2:24 am
Following this story and that about JB’s conversation with Blago, and taking a step back from the hurly burly of an election year primary season with a very big yuk factor:
What I see being played out in Illinois politics is a painful awakening to the fact that there are two groups of Illinoisans who have been excluded in subtle but significant ways from full and equal participation in the state’s political life. And those who participate have unique challenges due to their gender/race. It’s not always about the raw percentages; it’s about having an equal seat at every table where you’re seen as a fellow-pol, not a black pol or a female pol.
There will be efforts to shut Pandora’s box, but it’s too late. The white male-dominated political machine(s) will have to yield to genuine partnership in the state’s governance, at all levels. Nobody should imagine this will happen without a struggle, or without other Alaina Hamptons coming forward, or without other white pols being revealed as having an essentially instrumentalist stance towards black colleagues.
In a post late last week that got lost in cyberspace, I noted that personally, I preferred all three Lt Gov candidates to their running mates. If we’re looking for a come-to-Jesus moment in IL politics, try this on for a fantasy: JB, CK, and DB all switch places with their running-mates. I’d vote for a ticket headed by Juliana Stratton, Litesa Wallace, or Ra Joy sooner than I’m going to vote for the ticket I’ll be presented with come November.
And while we’re on this little fantasy-binge, imagine this: MJM re-elected but resigns for “family reasons”, supports Mary Flowers to succeed him. Flowers in turn supports Jehan Gordon-Booth as Majority Leader.
Yeah, it’s just a fantasy, but someday it’s gonna need to happen. And I’d be a lot prouder of my state in its bicentennial year if this were the scenario rather than the one we’ve got, which is a sad commentary on the state of Illinois in 2018.
But like our gov, I’m not in charge.
Comment by dbk Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 2:29 am
Sun-Times has a story with additional details. Evidently this Jack Hynes had been contacting numerous men with whom Alaina had a professional relationship looking for dirt. The non-denial response of Hynes really goes to not acting on anybody else’s behalf, not to the digging of personal dirt. Coupled with a new arrest of this Kevin Quinn guy, really paints an unflattering picture of thuggery in the 13th Ward.
If Alaina broke some code, she was preceded in code breaking by others who didn’t return her loyalty after she complained of harassment. Nothing was handled well by those to whom Alaina gave her loyalty, and that pattern evidently continues. Easy to see why Alaina feared going back there when Kevin Quinn remained fully in place. Rough group of guys there.
Comment by anon Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 2:54 am
Goodbye, Mike.
#TimesUp but it’s still early enough for someone to be about to throw you a nice retirement party.
Comment by Crazybleedingheart Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 4:39 am
Like every other politician and public figure who has been accused, he deserves a proper investigation to establish whether there is real guilt or if the accusation is a hit. In the recent past anyone accused has been told to step down and treated as guilty, will that be the case for Madigan as well?
Comment by FormerParatrooper Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 5:32 am
I meant Quinn in the above. He is probably guilt, but I am still hung up on due process and they other silly stuff.
Comment by FormerParatrooper Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 5:36 am
To your post, Rich:
Madigan’s “operation” as a whole not that stupid, no.
Individuals within the organization, perhaps so…
Comment by low level Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 6:15 am
It seems to me that Madigan needs to throw anyone involved in the alleged harassment, subsequent cover up, or retaliation under the Machine Bus right now if not yesterday, a thorough house-cleaning is required for Madigan to maintain distance from this - the “I didn’t know” defense only works until it’s on record that you have been made aware. If the guys that go under the tires are as loyal as they ought to be, they’ll take the bullets that would otherwise hit MM, and will go quietly into the night. And believe me, they will be rewarded for doing so down the road, in one way or another.
Comment by Stuntman Bob's Brother Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 7:27 am
Is Jack Hynes related to Dan Hynes?
Comment by Anonymous Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 7:37 am
The public statements from Hampton and Hynes will provide insight into who is telling the truth.
Hampton’s recent letter noted:
“In so doing, you have contacted several of Ms. Hampton’s male colleagues, friends and acquaintances…..”
Hynes issued a statement denying the claims.
“It’s unfortunate that a casual conversation among two friends has been escalated to the level of involving lawyers….”
Hynes statement seems to indicate that it was a single conversation, involving only two people, that occurred. If that wasn’t the case, then Hynes is wordsmithing his actions - never a good sign.
Question the media could be asking Hynes; “How many conversations were you having about Ms. Hampton, and what knowledge did you have of her claims?”
Up until the latest revelation, it sure seemed like this matter was limited to Hampton, Quinn(s) and MJM. If Hynes didn’t know anything about Hampton’s complaint, why was he conversing with multiple people about her?
Comment by Downstate Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 7:50 am
Olivia, I get the reference, but whom amongst us
Comment by James the Intolerant Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 7:52 am
=Is Jack Hynes related to Dan Hynes?=
No. If he was you can be sure that would be part of the story. Hynes is a pretty common name in those parts…
Comment by low level Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 8:02 am
=If the guys that go under the tires are as loyal as they ought to be, they’ll take the bullets that would otherwise hit MM, and will go quietly into the night. And believe me, they will be rewarded for doing so down the road, in one way or another.==
That statement of how you view the reality of this situation sounds both chilling and ominous.
Comment by Responsa Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 8:12 am
That is the problem Mr. Brown, Madigan should have had all the pieces in place a long time ago starting with the Legislative IG position always doing their job and a sexual harassment policy in place for his organization. This is the supposed party of inclusion and we see it is a good old boys club just like the days of old all beholding to the party leader Michael Madigan. All is little soldiers doing the dirty work so Madigan doesn’t soil his image.
Comment by Stand Tall Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 8:14 am
20 years ago I moved from the 13th ward to the suburbs. I signed a be titian outside Jewel for a candidate not favored by MJM.
Next thing I knew 2 months later a CPD officer in plan clothes came to my house and asked me why I signed it. So yeah it is possible they would dig dirt on her.
Comment by Maybe Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 8:30 am
google searched as many of us know a “jack hynes.” turns out not one I know. this one working at that Chicago Heights group did it with his consultancy, JPH. He’s a 2010 DePaul grad. and here’s where he might be now….
“Mayor Caiafa asking to approve the Consulting Services Agreement between the Village of Schiller Park and JPH Incorporated, and Illinois Corporation on an as needed basis at an hourly rate.” Aug. 2017
Comment by Amalia Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 8:35 am
–Another day, another negative news cycle about MJM’s questionable stewardship of the Illinois Democratic Party that all other state Democrats will be stuck fielding questions about.–
I suspect his party chairmanship is already gone, and that Madigan will step aside from it after the primary to stem the bleeding rather than risk a highly likely challenge.
Madigan is not only personally unpopular with the statewide electorate, but he also has been a terrible leader of the party from the standpoint of communications and messaging. Rauner’s destruction and lies went virtually unchallenged until last summer when House GOP members revolted.
That’s simply inexcusable and indefensible. There should have been someone like Mendoza fighting back every day in the media. It’s not like Rauner is any good at messaging, there was just no one calling him out on his bull stuff.
Madigan hasn’t done anything positive with the chairmanship; it’s been just another fundraising vehicle and title that he carries around in his pocket like so many nickels and dimes.
If he is as supernatural smart and wily as his opponents claim him to be, Madigan will give up the chairmanship to a fresh face who can do the work he has chosen not to, and focus on retaining the speakership.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 8:35 am
That was supposed to be snarky, right?
Comment by OneMan Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 8:37 am
–“Mayor Caiafa asking to approve the Consulting Services Agreement between the Village of Schiller Park and JPH Incorporated, and Illinois Corporation on an as needed basis at an hourly rate.” Aug. 2017–
Curious that a Madigan type would be scoring contracts up in Stephens’ territory. Is that bromance back on? There were strains in the Skip takedown.
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 8:40 am
Apparently it is effective, but with the days of individual ward organizations waning (not much to offer their residents outside of services they already get, and nowhere near as many jobs or control over jobs with Shakman, although Madigan is still by far the king of jobs), I wonder how effective outside people are when walking precincts in areas they are not from. Just a thought.
Comment by James the Intolerant Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 8:51 am
I read the texts, I read the law. It is harassment, but is it sexual harassment by the laws definition? I think this is a lawyer bolstering a weak case.
Comment by A Jack Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 9:06 am
the previous mayor of Schiller Park was a Dem and southsiders were up there helping her. might just be a case of going with the next guy, who has his own issues with women.
Comment by Amalia Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 9:09 am
Biss (as shown in his tweets along the right side of this column) had some pretty pointed things to say on this topic late last evening.
Comment by Responsa Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 9:18 am
- If Hynes didn’t know anything about Hampton’s complaint, why was he conversing with multiple people about her—
Downstate, you know it could simply be that Ms. Hampton has been all over the media the past few days and Hynes’ chatter was a result of the media coverage. I mean, even I wondered who Ms. Hampton was, so I googled her - it’s not like there is just one story written about her.
Or maybe it’s bc Mr. Hynes was her former boss? When did she leave the economic development job? Could it be that he was curious if the person(s) he talked to could be accused of sexual harassment?
What’s interesting is when sexual harassment hit Springfield, everyone - men and women were asking females if they had been harassed and by who. And for some reason that was acceptable. Now you have someone connect to senior politician and immediately assume that the politician or his machine is behind it. Also, it’s “acceptable” for reporters to track down the dirt, by calling potential witnesses on their personal phones, their state phone and seeking information from their spouses on an issue not related to the spouse that was called (yes, this happened not too long ago) and yet that’s just a reporter doing their job *sigh*. Yet, someone who has a relationship with MJM and it’s and all the sudden it’s a conspiracy.
Where is the outrage in regards to the “sealed” FBI tapes from the Blagojevich trial that ended up in the hands of 2 reporters that wrote a book? Where is the outrage that the legal system and the federal investigators are allowing these leaked tapes to be used by the newspaper that the reporters work for and used in a commercial paid for by Rauner? Yet, everyone is quick to assume MJM is behind this latest Hampton issue and calling for his resignation.
Have the other legislative leaders like Durkin or Brady made any comments regarding staffers being harassed or harassment in general- I mean they oversee state and campaign staffers. Has the Governor made any comments, we’ve heard rumors/media reports about a possible OEIG sexual harassment investigation. And while we are outraged on how women are treated, where is the outrage regarding the uniforms the girls at Hooters wear, are they not sexually harassed?
Comment by Green Muppet Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 9:38 am
I can’t comment on subscriber stories, but I think it is irresponsible to give platform to rumors about victim-blaming and political gain for herself. That column trivialized her story and tried to do what refocus this as a need for new written policies? That misses the boat. Why are you not asking the questions of how this culture came to be? And why it’s supposedly ok for it because he’s the Speaker?
Comment by Stockman Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 10:02 am
“From Steve Brown…
Michael Madigan told me there is nothing known about the situation. We are not involved.”
That’s a weird statement. Nothing known? Nothing? Who is “we”? Just the 2 of you?
Comment by Birdseed Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 10:26 am
Hey J.B. remember the cable television series “Boardwalk Empire?” There was an episode in which the Commodore was bemoaning his misfortune because some smart aleck upstart named Woodrow Wilson campaigned for governor and sent him packing and derailed his career as a political power broker. Here’s your chance — Be that guy!
Comment by Say What? Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 10:27 am
So Rauner was right in blaming Madigan for everything from Day 1. It softened up the electorate for a moment just like this.
My disappointment in Dems not having any clear message, statewide and nationally, other than being against the current executives leaves me a real sense of hopelessness in our so-called representatives and leaders. After nearly 70 years, I finally realize what Pogo was driving at.
Comment by My New Handle Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 11:22 am
==everyone - men and women were asking females if they had been harassed and by who==
== And while we are outraged on how women are treated, where is the outrage regarding the uniforms the girls at Hooters wear, are they not sexually harassed?==
Good faith just oozes out of some male Dems.
Comment by crazybleedingheart Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 11:59 am
—-Good faith just oozes out of some male Dems.—-
Huh, don’t be so quick to judge & make one sided statements.
In my instance the questions/comments came republicans.
Comment by Green Muppet Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 12:23 pm
Oh, I was only referring to you. I’m sure you don’t understand why it’s strange to say that men and women asked females about harassment. That’s the point.
Comment by crazybleedingheart Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 12:33 pm
@
- Perrid - Thursday, Feb 15, 18 @ 10:56 pm:
===…someone trying to figure out what she’s like, what she wants…Is she blowing it out of proportion to help her lawsuit? That wouldn’t be uncommon for any lawsuit.===
What she wants? Possibly a “confidential settlement”(payoff)?
Comment by DuPage Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 2:23 pm
DuPage: If you think that she would accept a confidential settlement, you clearly do not know Alaina.
Comment by Snucka Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 3:09 pm
–Is she blowing it out of proportion to help her lawsuit?–
What lawsuit? She filed an EEOC complaint.
Are you one of those geniuses like Hynes?
To quote Madigan at another time: “You’re not helping.”
Comment by wordslinger Friday, Feb 16, 18 @ 4:23 pm