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Yarbrough resigns from state party sexual harassment panel after Sen. Bush intervenes

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Illinois

A state senator called House Speaker Mike Madigan on Tuesday with “serious concerns” about whether a panel he created to combat sexual harassment could remain independent with the addition of Democratic Cook County Clerk nominee Karen Yarbrough — who is also the vice chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois.

And in less than an hour, Yarbrough stepped down. […]

“We had serious concerns that someone that’s vice chair of the party would be part of the panel,” [Sen. Melinda Bush, D-Grayslake] said. “I told [Madigan] why I was concerned. That I really thought she should be removed. We want to make sure there’s a firewall and that we are able to be independent.” […]

Yarbrough said she submitted a letter, writing that she would have loved to serve but did not want to be a distraction — comparing herself to state Comptroller Susana Mendoza, a Madigan ally.

“I already know that Susana was a distraction and if I’m going to be a distraction I would rather step down and help them from abroad,” Yarbrough told the Sun-Times, adding she helped to create sexual harassment policies for the Cook County Democratic Party.

More at the link, including the panel’s letter to Yarbrough.

Keep an eye on Sen. Bush. This panel hasn’t done much of anything in two months. She could be the catalyst to some real action.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 2, 18 @ 10:03 am

Comments

Sooo, Yarboroughs experiences as a successful professional woman who had navigated the ol boys club at every level have no value to this panel?

Comment by Hail Mary Wednesday, May 2, 18 @ 10:14 am
Rich, be patient. It takes time to absolve the Speaker of any wrong doing. Two months surely isn’t enough time for that.

Comment by Just Me Wednesday, May 2, 18 @ 10:19 am
” I already know that Susana was a distraction” now that’s a understatement if I have ever heard one. And she will continue to be a distraction because that’s just her normal way. And eventually it will grow old on everyone.

Comment by Board Watcher Wednesday, May 2, 18 @ 10:22 am
The potential conflict of interest is pretty clear to understand. A panel dedicated to ending harassment, that you got looped into, filled with your political allies? Mendoza’s own distractions were realized. Yarbrough understood that, and didn’t want to contribute.

Comment by People Over Parties Wednesday, May 2, 18 @ 10:26 am
Read between the lines and it’s pretty clear Yarborough is the friend no one wants.

Comment by P. Wednesday, May 2, 18 @ 10:29 am
Oh look, it’s the comments section of a post about sexual harassment beating up on the professional women involved.

Board Watcher, Mendoza’s “normal way” seems to be working for her from what I can tell.

Comment by itsmyopinion Wednesday, May 2, 18 @ 11:20 am
===Oh look, it’s the comments section of a post about sexual harassment beating up on the professional women involved.===

In the sense of it being a post about harassment, are the members of the panel then exempt from criticism?

Comment by People Over Parties Wednesday, May 2, 18 @ 11:31 am
Senator Bush is a class act. So glad she is involved with this panel.

Comment by allknowingmasterofracoondom Wednesday, May 2, 18 @ 11:32 am
-itsmyopinion- please dont equate my comment ” normal way ” to sexual harassment claims thats a joke. All your doing is minimizing legit sexual harassment in the work place or any other environment it might exist in.

Comment by Board Watcher Wednesday, May 2, 18 @ 11:48 am
Women in IL decided the Madigan agenda is more important than sexual harassment. By not forcing him to step down with the obvious obstruction of these investigations, they sent a clear message.

The man in charge gets to decide how to ignore your concerns.

Comment by the Patriot Wednesday, May 2, 18 @ 12:45 pm
Karen is very smart. She’s likely relieved to relieve herself of serving on this one. Is there not a recently retired female judge somewhere with no ties to any of the real or perceived creeps in this scenario?

Comment by A guy Wednesday, May 2, 18 @ 3:39 pm
I believe in immediately, strongly and if necessary, loudly, standing up against any harasser. But, a quiet word also may work wonders.

Comment by cc Wednesday, May 2, 18 @ 4:57 pm
From abroad? Where’s she travelling?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 3, 18 @ 7:50 am