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* Background is here. From Denise Rotheimer’s Facebook page…
Big news! The allegation that is coming out on Thursday is a game changer. When his name is mentioned…time is up. I am so grateful for the courage that she has to go public. She’s relying on me for moral support because she is terrified about going public.
I told her representative Jeanne Ives has been a great support for me and offered to invite her. She asked me to have Jeanne there. I called Jeanne Ives told her the accuser really wants her to be there and she said Yes I will be there for her.
Jeanne said she will ask her colleagues to also join us to give this woman support while she discloses the abuse she suffered by a legislator who hold leadership in Springfield. Hopefully others will join us and give the accuser a strong showing of support to offset her feelings of being terrified by going public on Thursday. It’s not easy to do and she deserves our support.
Mary Ann Ahern confirmed Ives’ likely attendance.
* Meanwhile, the highlighted passages below from Tina Sfondeles’ story has got a whole lot of Statehouse types wondering who this “leading lawmaker” might be…
Denise Rotheimer says she’s scheduled a 1 p.m. news conference on Thursday to help support a “female activist” who endured “abuse” by a “leading lawmaker.”
Rotheimer said a similar incident happened last week to a female legislator, who has not come forward.
“I can’t discuss the name of the person who was being abused in Springfield but I am aware of it and the abuser is the same person [who abused] this woman,” Rotheimer said. “So I let her know about what happened last week and wanted to see if she’d be able to come out because this is happening to another woman, who happens to be a legislator.”
“This is abuse of power,” she said, adding the abuse was not a form of sexual harassment.
I have a hunch because I’ve heard lots of rumors about something that allegedly happened last week, but I have no proof yet, and for all I know this could be a different case. Anyway, please stop calling and texting me to ask me who it might be. I’ll let you know when I know. Thanks.
Also, as before, no speculation will be allowed in comments. You’ll be banned for life if you try. If you have a legit tip, send it to me. Don’t do it in comments.
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 1:31 pm
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The marketing of this press conference is a bit odd.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 1:37 pm
Welp. . .
Comment by wndycty Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 1:38 pm
Maybe Kelly Cassidy can attend in the spirt of bi-partisan cooperation?
Comment by Rustic Syrup Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 1:41 pm
So it is not sexual harassment, but abuse of power. I am sure this “leading legislator has done the same to men. We are allowing careers to be ruined over this…
Reme
Comment by Tired Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 1:47 pm
===We are allowing careers to be ruined over this===
We don’t even know what “this” is yet. Take a breath.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 1:49 pm
I’d prefer this particular news cycle to be more about the alleged victim’s mistreatment rather than Rotheimer proclaiming that it exists.
Comment by Stark Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 1:50 pm
She sure is setting expectations high . . .
Comment by Henry Francis Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 1:52 pm
===I’d prefer===
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 1:52 pm
I agree. The marketing of this press conference is a bit odd.
Comment by Saluki Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 1:52 pm
I remain outraged at … something.
Comment by anon Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 1:55 pm
Somehow I can’t stop thinking about Geraldo and Al Capone’s secret vault. But we shall see.
Comment by IllinoisBoi Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 1:58 pm
=I’d prefer this particular news cycle to be more about the alleged victim’s mistreatment rather than Rotheimer proclaiming that it exists.=
Yes. Each announcement feels more like it’s about DR.
I’m curious whether DR’s motivation is, as others here have claimed, about her and her need for revenge, or if it is more about her simply needing a cause. Maybe she will able to get more victims to come forward. Maybe she will be a positive force in the process.
Comment by m Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 2:01 pm
The marketing of the alleged execution is invalidating everything.
This is remarkably unseemly.
Comment by Anoniphone Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 2:02 pm
If she’s going to hype it like this, she might as well go all the way and drip drop 20 questions style hints every few hours like House or Senate, Democrat or Republican etc
Comment by Fax Machine Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 2:03 pm
This is strange and saddening, but not surprising.
Although, my first question at the press conference would be, “Why make the announcement today instead of yesterday?”
Comment by buffalo soldier Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 2:12 pm
I have no idea who it is, and I strongly oppose any kind of abuse to anyone, but you can bet if Jeannie is going to show the culprit is a Dem. Jeannie wouldn’t be no where in sight otherwise.
Comment by Uncle Ernie Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 2:12 pm
I find the roll out of this information puzzling. Why do it on the final (hopefully) day of session? And if you build this much interest, it had better be a spectacular revelation.
Comment by Jen Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 2:15 pm
We are prepared for this news story. We support the accuser and we believe the merits of the case of abuse of power by a legislative leader. We are indebted to Jeanne Ives for acting quickly to support the accuser and believe the merits of this case of abuse of power. We are indebted to Denise Rotheimer for providing moral strength and guidance to the accuser and assembling a team for the announcement, and preparing the public.
Other than that, it’s hard to comment.
Did I miss anything?
Comment by state worker Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 2:15 pm
=you can bet if Jeannie is going to show the culprit is a Dem. Jeannie wouldn’t be no where in sight otherwise.=
Perhaps. Or it could be that it involves someone else who really got under Jeanne’s skin. But I have no idea who that could be.
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 2:19 pm
===“Why make the announcement today instead of yesterday?” ===
What a stupid question. People have lives. Most can’t just pick up and immediately head to Spfld for a press conference.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 2:28 pm
They’re building this up to be pretty big. I hope Denise and company know what they are doing. If this ends up being a big nothing burger, it only fuels victim blaming and shaming of those who are harassed and abused.
Comment by Ducky LaMoore Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 2:28 pm
===If this ends up being a big nothing burger, it only fuels victim blaming and shaming===
Another dumb comment.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 2:30 pm
To the deleted “Let me comment” commenter: Don’t come back. Your IP address reveals more than you may know.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 2:33 pm
@anon2 Yes, and males can be victims of sexual harassment as well.
Comment by Yes, And Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 2:40 pm
==“This is abuse of power,” she said, adding the abuse was not a form of sexual harassment.”==
This line seems to upend a lot of our expectations, if I’m reading it right. I think most of us were assuming this was going to be another Silverstein-esque situation, but if it’s “not a form of sexual harrassment”, I guess not.
Comment by Arsenal Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 2:41 pm
“Somehow I can’t stop thinking about Geraldo and Al Capone’s secret vault. But we shall see.”
Given the comment that it’s not sexual harassment, I’ve been thinking the exact same thing. I guess we’ll find out tomorrow. My concern is that if she fires and misses, it won’t embolden women to come forth but chill the process. For all the women (and the few men) genuinely harassed in the Patch, they better not screw this up and turn it into a partisan thing.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 2:50 pm
===“Why make the announcement today instead of yesterday?” ===
=What a stupid question. People have lives. Most can’t just pick up and immediately head to Spfld for a press conference.=
Fair point, Rich.
I only ask because it appears that the press conference was scheduled for May 31 because that’s end of regular session. A cynical observer may presume it was scheduled to deliver the most adverse political impact to the alleged abuser rather than inform members of the public and individuals in close proximity to the alleged abuser about this problem. But you’re right, the world continues to turn despite what happens in Springfield.
Comment by buffalo soldier Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 2:55 pm
I think people need to drop the homerism of my side vs. Their side.
This stuff that has happened for years because legislators treat Springfield like Vegas. It isn’t normal. It is bad.
And people are finally paying attention. Sorry that you have been there a long time and are a leader, or have passed a couple good bills.
You shouldn’t have sidled up to them like that.
Comment by Ok Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 2:58 pm
“And what happened last week, like a [U.S. Sen.] Cory Booker kind of thing and it’s just appalling to me that nobody does anything and allows it to go on only because the perps are in a position of leadership, and they can destroy your career and ruin your reputation.”
um, there were other Senators who questioned her on the same thing, including Durbin. Booker, an African American, was particularly upset with Trump. If that is what kind of thing Rotheimer finds offensive, I’m offended she’s not offended by Trump’s words and actions.
Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 3:13 pm
Big news, game changer. Have you been playing a game?
Comment by Rabid Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 3:39 pm
Rich, I think you need to chill out with the implied threats re: IP addresses. You have a history of this. Let me remind you and everyone: a number of commenters here are state workers, commenting during their state-compensated workday, often using state property. Not only is it bad for business to scare away pageviews by half threatening people but it’s also kinda, I dunno, creepy? to suggest you can do something with their IP addresses.
Comment by A State Employee Guy Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 3:48 pm
=== Not only is it bad for business to scare away pageviews===
I don’t track pageviews, so I don’t care about pageviews, and I care even less about moronic commenters. If you don’t like it, leave.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 3:49 pm
Timed to overshadow any budget agreement perhaps?
Comment by walker Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 3:50 pm
A State Employee Guy, I don’t know about you. I’m just here for the Oscar pics.
Comment by Juice Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 4:19 pm
A state employee guy- I might get every other post deleted but I really wouldn’t challenge Rich’s blog. There’s no one who knows more in Springfield then him.
Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 4:26 pm