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Rep. Lou Lang responds to allegations

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Illinois

* Press release…

The following statement can be attributed to Illinois House Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang (D-Skokie):

“Let me say this. My original sponsorship of medical marijuana legislation in 2013 was focused on the patients who came to my office, some in wheel chairs. Some were too ill to come. The sick children, the ill men and women were my priority. And the patients remain my priority with each new iteration of the law.

My priority was not helping those seeking to profit off medical marijuana, like, Ms. Loncar, who wanted a cannabis dispensary license for her company, Patient’s Health Center, but, apparently failed at her money-making effort to secure a dispensary license. Because I refused to let the medical marijuana profiteers trump the interests of patients, I made some people mad. So be it.

Therefore, I have submitted a formal request to the Special Legislative Inspector General to begin an immediate investigation. Additionally, after consultation with Speaker Madigan, I have decided, in order to maintain the integrity of the Legislative Ethics Commission and the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules as well as to avoid distraction from the agenda of the House Democratic Caucus, to submit my resignation from the Commission, JCAR, and from my post as House Deputy Majority Leader.”

Lang’s letter to the IG is here. His letter to Madigan is here.

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 1:57 pm

Comments

“So be it.”
Did anyone review this before it went out?

Comment by MissingG Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:02 pm
Maybe it was simply forgotten in haste, but seems odd that Lang didn’t add “None of her allegations are true” to his statement.

Comment by Robert the Bruce Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:03 pm
Who will be next in line behind Madigan now?

Comment by Anonni Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:05 pm
No response to the allegation of innapropriate touching, et al?

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:06 pm
Actually, Lang does not respond to any of her allegations.

Why not?

Comment by wordslinger Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:06 pm
Exactly, Robert. Where is the point by point denial of the accusations presented? And I can see resigning from the Commission if you want the Commission to handle this, but JCAR and Leadership as well seems like a bit much if you truly deny this.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:06 pm
I think it’s pretty clear from his response that his position is the charges are “drek” and without merit. I wholeheartedly agree.

Comment by Yiddishcowboy Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:06 pm
When does Michael Sneed pen a column sticking up for her friend Lou?

Comment by Samford and Son Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:07 pm
not even a non-denial denial. no denial at all.
looks like pre-emptory surrender on his part. I resign, I resign, I resign.

Comment by jim Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:07 pm
==I wholeheartedly agree.==

All of them? Based on what? Some of them, the touching and that, aren’t really shocking and wholly unbelievable

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:09 pm
Lang released his statement before Roncar finished her press conference. I guess he’ll be saving his specifics for the upcoming LIG process.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:11 pm
Excuse me, Loncar.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:12 pm
It may be time for a return to good government.

Comment by Hynes Guy Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:13 pm
I haven’t been watching the presser so I may be missing something, but that second paragraph is odd. It reads like Harvey Weinstein’s “this is all a distraction from the real issue: Gun Control, and I’m going to focus everything on that” resignation letter.

Also, super weird that there’s no denial anywhere. That’d be my first sentence. Why is he immediately trying to assign ulterior motives without addressing the alleged conduct at all?

Comment by ChrisB Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:13 pm
Lang resigns from leadership. Why would he do that is proof he has something to worry about

Comment by Sue Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:14 pm
===Lang resigns from leadership. Why would he do that is proof he has something to worry about===

He is trying to keep his party’s rank-and-file from demanding a resignation. That’s why.

Comment by Ducky LaMoore Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:16 pm
That Lang is also focusing on the political process is a bad sign. The #MeToo elements will be forgotten in all of this.

That being said, that he’s resigning from leadership and JCAR is actually a pretty big deal.

Comment by Arsenal Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:20 pm
smart move by resigning.. Doesn’t prove guilt. Allows him to fight without the demand to resign. Now, not a distraction and if theres anything here, it can come out.

Comment by Benfolds5 Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:20 pm
To me it seems that if her allegations were so true then why would Lou Lang not be pulling strings to get her company that marijuana license? It seems if she had something on him he would be doing everything he could do in her favor to keep her quiet. Yet he did not help her get the license. Sounds like she probably played along if anything actually went on but she wanted deals from whatever allegedly happened.

Comment by Real Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:21 pm
==Lang resigns from leadership. Why would he do that is proof he has something to worry about.==

I wouldn’t call that proof. Lang could be falling on his sword to protect the House Democratic Caucus. We’ll find out more when the SLIG does it’s investigation.

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:25 pm
Go Lou-

Comment by Sox Fan Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:28 pm
What a poorly conceived and executed statement, regardless of the merits. No denial. Not even an “I’m sorry if I did anything offensive.” Basically all he wrote was essentially, “she’s a pot profiteer but I am stuck resigning from things because of #metoo.”

Comment by Anon0091 Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:30 pm
Still on Rules Committee though

Comment by mjw Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:36 pm
His resignations insulate the Speaker from any pressure or hits. Lou takes an immediate “hit” while asking the IG to investigate.

Comment by Anonymous Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 2:49 pm
Some things do not merit a response.

Comment by PUH-leeze Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 3:02 pm
Lou Lang dumped on Ira Silverstein a few weeks ago.
How ironic.

Comment by Practical Politics Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 3:04 pm
Always believe women*

* Statement may have a slightly different meaning when involving powerful Illinois Democratic legislative leaders

Comment by JB13 Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 3:31 pm
===* Statement may have a slightly different meaning when involving powerful Illinois Democratic legislative leaders===

How do you think the bribe was to be paid, the $170 million…

Bearer bonds, gold, Cayman Islands, Switzerland?

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 3:34 pm
the wall is getting very dirty with mud being thrown up before the election. this thin story, Blago will probably get out. It’s feeling like there is some group thinking up what can be thrown at the Dems to create doubt. This is, after all, the Governor who took a case to the USSCourt re unions, their big deal issue. dirty up the Dems.

Comment by Amalia Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 4:00 pm
===Bearer bonds, gold, Cayman Islands, Switzerland?===

Bales and bales of premium, pharmaceutical grade marijuana.

Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 4:02 pm
===Bales and bales of premium, pharmaceutical grade marijuana.===

… sorted by the ounce? In baggies?

I kid. I kid.

Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 4:04 pm
Blago may walk and Lang may hang.
Who said the end of session was going to be boring this year.

Comment by Jake From Elwood Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 4:18 pm
Lou seemed to be a bit arrrogant in his press conference might want to think about that if he talks to other press in future but guessing he will avoid them like a plague now

Comment by Skokieguy Thursday, May 31, 18 @ 5:55 pm