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* Background is here if you need it. Not much out there, but this is what I found…
And let’s stop pretending he’s a “former” anything. This is the guy who for decades has been seen as the most powerful lobbyist in the state and remains incredibly close to the Speaker.
— Rep. Kelly Cassidy (@RepKellyCassidy) January 7, 2020
…Like a human dumpster fire @RepKellyCassidy https://t.co/4YtgD07vAv pic.twitter.com/shA9c34uYu
— Rep Sara Feigenholtz (@StateRepSara) January 8, 2020
Stunning and incredibly disturbing to read about the callous dismissal of a rape and its coverup. Anyone involved must be held accountable and an investigation should be conducted immediately. No one is above the law. https://t.co/ulc58GNy08
— Rep. Ann Williams (@RepAnnWilliams) January 8, 2020
Truly disturbing news. "Keeping your mouth shut" about a rape is reprehensible, and thinking it's a thing to be commended is really twisted.
"He is loyal." As much as anything, it's the cult of loyalty in Springfield that's toxic. https://t.co/nvsN93Tnpd
— Will Guzzardi (@WillGuzzardi) January 7, 2020
Pritzker's office on the alleged rape, says "the administration’s general counsel referred this email to the appropriate investigatory authority, who will make a determination about what next steps can be taken." https://t.co/hZInr23zRi
— Tina Sfondeles (@TinaSfon) January 7, 2020
* Press release…
State Rep. Kelly Cassidy and high profile sexual harassment victims Alaina Hampton and Sherri Garrett issued the following statement on Wednesday in response to a WBEZ report on an email from powerful Springfield ComEd lobbyist Michael McClain indicating a possible cover-up of a rape in Champaign:
“According to the WBEZ report, Mr. McClain “sought leniency for a state worker in a disciplinary case by arguing that the worker ‘kept his mouth shut’ about an unspecified rape downstate.” This isn’t the first disgusting, dangerous and brazen display of misogyny we’ve seen from Mr. McClain, but that doesn’t make it any less outrageous. If the reports are even partially true, this represents a conspiracy to conceal a criminal sexual assault at the highest levels of state government.
“We call upon law enforcement leaders, including Champaign County State’s Attorney Julie Rietz and the U.S. Attorney’s Office, if appropriate, to immediately open an investigation into these allegations, and, if necessary, to impanel a grand jury. Mr. McClain, relevant members of the Quinn administration and anyone else who had knowledge of this possible rape must be compelled, via subpoena if necessary, to disclose this information to law enforcement to ensure that any possible rapist is brought to justice. If the State’s Attorney won’t take action, a special prosecutor should be appointed who will. The only way to end the rape culture that has fully infected our politics in Illinois is to take bold, unequivocal action to root it out, right now.”
*** UPDATE 1 *** Rep. Deb Conroy…
Like so many others I am still trying to process the horror of anyone covering up a rape. No one is above the law and anyone who thinks they can cover up something to preserve their power has sold their soul to the devil. #WhenWillItStop
* Sen. Scott Bennett…
Shocked and angered by a possible sexual assault political cover-up, State Senator Scott Bennett (D-Champaign) is asking anyone with information to come forward.
The request comes in response to a WBEZ article regarding a 2012 email to officials within then-Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration that references someone keeping quiet about “the rape in Champaign.”
“This is frightening and disturbing. Sexual assault allegations need to be taken seriously. If anyone has any information about this crime, please get in touch with authorities. This needs to be investigated and prosecuted. The public needs answers, people need to be held accountable and somewhere there’s a victim who deserves justice. The conduct I read in that email is disgusting and will not be tolerated,” Senator Bennett said.
If you have information please contact:
• Champaign County State’s Attorney, 217-384-3733
• Illinois State Police, 217-278-5000
• Illinois Executive Inspector General, 312-814-5600
* Senate Women’s Caucus…
Outraged by a possible sexual assault cover-up, the Illinois Senate Women’s Caucus is asking anyone with information to come forward.
The request comes in response to a WBEZ article regarding a 2012 email to officials within then-Gov. Pat Quinn’s administration that references someone keeping quiet about “the rape in Champaign.”
“That email is horrifying. If anyone has any information about this crime, please contact authorities. Sexual assault will not be tolerated. We need to get to the bottom of this and hold people accountable,” said Sen. Linda Holmes, an Aurora Democrat and co-chair of the Senate Women’s Caucus.
“I am stunned and disturbed that keeping quiet about a rape was so casually offered up as proof of loyalty. This needs to be investigated thoroughly and anyone who helped cover it up needs to face the consequences. Please, if you know anything at all about this incident, contact the appropriate authorities,” said Sen. Sue Rezin, a Morris Republican and co-chair of the Senate Women’s Caucus.
*** UPDATE 2 *** I missed this one from last night…
@WBEZ’s story is more than troubling.
This email is offensive and disgusting on multiple levels. It must be properly and fully investigated. https://t.co/7NgiOlFBPm
— Bob Morgan (@BobMorganIL) January 8, 2020
*** UPDATE 3 *** Press release…
State Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview, released the following statement in response to a WBEZ report uncovering emails between a former statehouse lobbyist and high-level employees of the Quinn administration that allude to a possible cover-up of rape by state employees:
“I am shocked, horrified, and disgusted to learn about emails from lobbyist Mike McClain that indicate he was aware of, or possibly complicit in, covering up a rape in Champaign, Illinois. We cannot and must not tolerate unethical and potentially criminal behavior involving those with influence in state government.
“Those in positions of public trust who have broken the law must be held accountable – this applies to everyone equally and without prejudice, no matter who they are. Our entire justice system is predicated on the idea that no one is above the law.
“As a legislator, a human rights attorney, and an advocate for victims of sexual violence, I demand that the questions of misconduct raised by these emails be investigated fully and, if found credible, prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
“This must end. I share in the sentiments expressed by my colleagues who have spoken out. I too am sickened by what I’ve learned. Anyone who has violated their ethical duty to serve the public in good faith should go – the sooner, the better. It’s time to end the toxic ‘old boys’ club’ culture wherein women are disposable, ethics only apply to some, and accountability for the powerful is nonexistent. A full investigation and appropriate subsequent legal action is the only way to truly address this issue.”
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 10:24 am
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The rape allegation is horrible for any politician of any political party to comment on. The ghost payrolling charge deserves a comment or two.
Comment by Steve Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 10:30 am
Don’t everyone come forward to speak out at once. I can almost feel the tremors from the crumbling foundations of power, and we can only find four House Dems courageous enough to speak out publicly to condemn a rape and cover up?
Comment by Fearless Foursome Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 10:35 am
== we can only find four House Dems courageous enough to speak out publicly to condemn a rape and cover up?==
What do you want people to say and who do you want them to be mad at? Any woke person knows it’s not ok to coverup rape or reward someone for covering up. Do we really need to publicly state the obvious. There isn’t a lot of info or details here.
Comment by nevergoodidea Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 10:41 am
Don’t know what charges might have been filed over everything mentioned in the emails (e.g. rape, official misconduct), but the statute of limitation is likely blown unless there are any more recent than 2012. But anyone involved who is working for the State has just got to get bounced.
Comment by West Side the Best Side Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 10:42 am
Don’t think “dumpster fire” really captures the seriousness of the situation.
Comment by Three Dimensional Checkers Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 10:44 am
about rape…”and other items”.
Huh. Sort of like “and other items are as nonchalant as how he views rape. You just can’t even measure how sick this is.
Comment by A Guy Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 10:44 am
I’m a Democrat and I join Harris, Cassidy, Feigneholtz, Williams, Guzzardi and what I suspect will be a growing number of others to condemn this cover up and to investigate this with all possible diligence, wherever it leads.
It makes you wonder how long McClain was blackmailing others to get his way, and who else was benefiting from this.
Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 10:49 am
If this email is any indicator of what other emails may say, the brazenness to be so flippant here, so callous to an agenda outside of the words alone.
Still shocked by it all.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 10:50 am
The Speaker’s team must be on their 42nd draft of whatever statement he is going to make. At some point, if enough of your inner circle is tainted by extremely bad behavior, you are part of the problem. That apple won’t taste very good today.
Comment by SSL Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 10:55 am
=== but the statute of limitation is likely blown ===
If in fact there is a basis for criminal charges, I’m quite certain that a competent prosecutor could find a way to bring them.
Also, Illinois just lifted the statute of limitations on major sex offenses.
https://www.governing.com/topics/public-justice-safety/tns-statute-of-limitations-sex-crimes-illinois.html
Comment by Bud's Bar Stool Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 10:58 am
“Also, Illinois just lifted the statute of limitations on major sex offenses.”
Would that lift the statue for past offenses like this?
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 11:06 am
When is it ever ok or appropriate to “keep ones mouth shut” when it comes to rape? Seriously, I cannot think of one example where that statement makes any sense.
Comment by John Lee Pettimore, III Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 11:06 am
I know this is shear speculation but I would imagine that any rapist that gets this kind of protection has serious clout or influence
There has to be a full complete and transparent investigation like now. I bet there are Bribery and federal wire fraud violations
Comment by DuPage Saint Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 11:15 am
Mike McClain: see amoral, arrogant, avarice, and a lot of other words, not those that just begin with “A”, but for starters.
Comment by Monanon Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 11:21 am
—Would that lift the statute for past offenses like this?—
Almost certainly not, as reviving past offenses for which the statute of limitations has been blown would be an ex post facto law and unconstitutional.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 11:23 am
Ron B - Actually yes, if the SOL was changed it would apply “retroactively.” Would only be unconstitutional if the underlying crime was made illegal. In this case, the act was illegal at the time.
Comment by South Side Bob Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 11:44 am
Not sure if I’ve seen anything worse in my time in Springfield. I sure hope Stermer and Hannig reported this back in the day. I’ve worked with both and they both seem like stand up guys, so not going to jump to conclusions on them until we know what the follow up is.
The Speaker needs to go. On the me too movent alone he has Kevin Quinn, Mapes and now this. That doesn’t even mention the federal investigation and the negatives he’ll provide the opposition in the fair tax vote.
Democrats have a new strong leader in JB for at least the next three years and probably more. The Speaker has done so much and he’s becoming too much of a liability for the party. It’s a new era and while he can still be a part of it, I don’t think he should be leading it.
Comment by AD Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 11:47 am
I agree with Ron B. If the statute of limitations period has already expired, I don’t believe a new statute could extend it retroactively, per
Stogner v. California, 539 U.S. 607 (2003).
Comment by Wonk Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 11:49 am
In what language is enough enough?
Basta!
¡Es suficiente!
Is leor sin! (In Irish, you know, so Himself will understand)
Dość juź!
I am honestly glad to see some of the Dem women’s caucus step up and share their outrage. For this is, indeed, outrageous.
I spoke to several women “Minions” of Madigan and several of them shared their disgust over these developments. “I thought I knew these people better than I did, obviously” was one former female Madigan staffer’s lament.
Is it ok to remain silent on this problem we have with Madigan remaining in power? Or is it time to say “basta” or ¡Es suficiente?
Comment by John Lee Pettimore, III Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 11:53 am
“He has kept quiet on Jones’ ghost workers”
Which Jones, I wonder.
Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 11:55 am
Is this what they mean by quid pro quo?
Comment by Blue Dog Dem Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 12:02 pm
Some searching found this:
Statute of limitations:
misconduct in public office: within 1 yr of discovery.
Seems discovery was rather recently…
Comment by Fav human Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 12:03 pm
It would be speculation, but Jones ghost workers could refer to Emil’s second wife Lorrie. As I recall she ran the Division of Mental Health beginning in 2005, and there was quite the cloud around a 70k raise in her salary. Wouldn’t shock me that the MDH has a few ghost workers haunting the hallways.
Comment by Just Another Anon Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 12:07 pm
–Which Jones, I wonder–
No, you don’t.
Comment by HCMcB4 Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 12:19 pm
“If he has knowledge of a rape, he needs to fully cooperate w/any investigation & should be liable for damages to the victim if his cover up blew the statute of limitations.”
Yes. Agreed. But I also think some of this disdain needs to be lobbed HARD at the PQ Admin. If there was a rape cover up, it would have been done by them. It must have been so well known, in fact, to the email recipients that McClain felt comfortable casually referring to it, knowing they personally would know exactly what he was talking about. Jaw dropping.
Comment by Centennial Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 12:26 pm
===No, you don’t.===
LOL
Comment by Nick Name Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 12:31 pm
Here’s who knew about this rape in Champaign:
A lobbyist who worked in Springfield and lives in Quincy, in the opposite part of the state.
A DHS administrator from Quincy who worked in nearby Rushville (a little north of both but roughly halfway between Springfield & Quincy), but also nowhere near Champaign.
This crime was casually referred to in a note to the Governor’s chief of staff and the Gov’s head of leg affairs. It’s possible that either or both knew what this was in reference to. It’s also possible that either or both didn’t know what this was in reference to but were alarmed by the content and referred it to an investigator.
If this was something that happened at DHS presumably there are administrators who are aware of the issue.
Also, there are presumably people in Champaign who have first-hand knowledge of the issue.
All of that to say there have to be enough people who know what happened here. Someone will get that to a reporter or investigator and I really hope they can get to the bottom of this and all necessary criminal referrals are made to the appropriate prosecutors.
Comment by The Captain Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 12:44 pm
If Gary Hannig and Jeremy Stermer were aware of the rape and did nothing, or in fact helped the person who committed the rape, then they are co-conspirators, which is illegal. Since they did this in their official capacity as state employees, they could lose their pensions.
Comment by Just Me 2 Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 12:52 pm
every day thousands of state employees go to work. most of them do so in good faith expecting to be fairly rewarded based on hard work, follow through, and attention to detail. Of course this incident demonstrates who is really rewarded and what lack of values gets someone promoted.
JB needs to stomp out this corrupt culture swiftly and severely. anyone remotely connected to this needs to be flushed out of state (and local) government, lobbying, effectively banned.
this sets the tone and the example to follow. if blind loyalty in the face of criminal action is tolerated, JB will fail, and his efforts will be for nothing.
I recommend flushing the toilet starting from the top and then going down as far as you can go.
Comment by Merica Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 1:25 pm
The issue here is not rape.
It is that two of the highest-placed people in the administration apparently KNEW about a rape that had been covered up (as well as other felonies), and that it was so well known that McClain could mention it in a clear extortion threat, with the knowledge that there would be no official action in response.
My heart is broken.
Comment by Soccermom Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 1:45 pm
In fairness, we do not know if he was even speaking literally or figuratively
Comment by South Side Bob Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 1:52 pm
Soccermom made my point better than I did.
Spot on.
Comment by Centennial Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 1:52 pm
“In fairness, we do not know if he was even speaking literally or figuratively”
HUH???? How would you talk about rape figuratively in this context?
Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 2:07 pm
I commend the few House Dems who have commented, it’s unfortunate more haven’t stood up. To those that have please turn your words into action and make a change. It’s no longer time, it’s past the point of no return.
Comment by Jumping the Shark Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 2:12 pm
— In fairness, we do not know if he was even speaking literally or figuratively—
He or any of the parties to the email are free to publicly explain if they can. Or privately pursuant to a subpoena.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 2:15 pm
Ron- you could always seem clarification from the Speaker
Comment by Sue Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 2:20 pm
JtShark, I guess I’d love to see every Dem step up, but I really don’t think it’s a big deal. If they get asked, jump on the pile. But I personally don’t need to hear an actual statement from any of the 177 legislators to convince me they think this is awful.
I would love to hear from the SA and Brendan Kelly. For those two it’s not about hollow words but actual action.
Comment by I watch TV Wednesday, Jan 8, 20 @ 2:37 pm