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* Gov. Rauner spoke to Chicago reporters shortly before he left for Israel on October 27th. The subject of sexual harassment was brought up by numerous reporters, but let’s focus on this question…
Mary Ann Ahern: There’s even allegations within your own staff. Obviously, they’ve not surfaced to the point where we can talk publicly. But some have literally said to us that you have not been as outspoken as perhaps you could’ve been about someone in your staff that you absolutely know who I am talking about. And is no longer there. And absolutely there are allegations and what happened to the internal investigation now that that person is no longer a part of this…?
Gov. Bruce Rauner: Mary Ann, if there were allegations, they would be dealt with. I am very strong on this. Zero tolerance. Zero tolerance. And there are not allegations. Um, and, uh, I have addressed this proactively long before any letter, long before these national headlines. Making sure that sexual harassment, sexual misconduct is addressed. We have zero tolerance and we have training to prevent it and to deal with it if and when it occurs.
OK, that question from last month was about a former staffer. But then today…
.@GovRauner's staff are now being interviewed in an active OEIG probe, source says. Spokesperson has not responded to request for comment.
— Mark Maxwell (@WCIA3Mark) November 6, 2017
This investigation is looking into complaints made against a high ranking official who is still on staff. https://t.co/ImGErbQi5z
— Mark Maxwell (@WCIA3Mark) November 6, 2017
* From today’s Rauner press conference…
Tina Sfondeles: Are you aware of some of your staffers being interviewed in an OEIG investigation into someone in your administration?
Gov. Rauner: Well, I’ll say this. Um, the inspector, the Executive Inspector General operates completely independently, in confidence, they have their own rigorous process. I and members of our administration are not involved in it whatsoever. Um, and I, there, there have been lots of rumors circulating. I’ve heard some, I’ve heard some from the members of the media. I don’t comment on rumors, I don’t think it’s appropriate to comment. But, we have a rigorous process. And I have been a strong advocate, as I say, from the earliest days in my administration. Did an executive order, make sure we had a code of personal conduct, make sure we have training for every employee against personal, um, um, unethical behavior and sexual harassment, sexual misconduct. We are making sure that’s a process that’s enforced.
Amanda Vinicky: Governor…
Spokesperson: Last question.
Amanda Vinicky: Are you or anybody, you are aware of, not rumors, are you aware of [inaudible] you been interviewed by the Office of Executive Inspector General for any cases related to wrongdoing within your office, particularly that relating to sexual harassment by high-ranking employees?
Gov. Rauner: I have not been interviewed by anyone in the Office of the Executive Inspector General, I have had no contact or questions from them about this. And they operate completely independent of me and members of our administration.
No speculation and no rumors in comments, please. Don’t get yourself banned for life.
* Meanwhile, in other developments…
Senate President John J. Cullerton issued the following statement regarding next steps to address ethics and sexual harassment complaints now that the Illinois Legislative Ethics Commission has an inspector general.
“I want to make it clear that there should be zero tolerance for sexual harassment and intimidation in any workplace, and the Illinois General Assembly is no exception.”
“With an inspector general in place, it is incumbent upon the General Assembly to give her the tools to do the job. The first thing needed is an extension of the statute of limitations to ensure the pending complaints can be investigated. The next step is to make sure there are clear standards in place regarding the professional conduct of members of the General Assembly and a direct and secure avenue for victims to come forward with confidence to report complaints.”
“I anticipate swift action to resolve these issues this week.”
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 4:09 pm
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Oh snap, I just assumed that the OEIG inspection investigation was connected to Murashko.
What a great Governor, that we get it twisted what wrongdoing his staff is being investigated for.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 4:16 pm
“Um, and, uh”
Come on.
Comment by Chris Widger Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 4:17 pm
We are all comforted by GovJunk’s assurances
Speakin’ of questions did anyone ask if there word Paradise Papers made him W* himself Sunday?
Comment by Annonin' Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 4:21 pm
Cullerton- “The first thing needed is an extension of the statute of limitations to ensure the pending complaints can be investigated.”
Good. That is a must.
Comment by Anon221 Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 4:22 pm
Five bucks says whatever the outcome of this investigation Rauner tries to tie it to Madigan.
Comment by Gruntled University Employee Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 4:23 pm
Arsenal, that’s a fair point, but were you around during Blagojevich? One needed charts and decoders to keep track of all the investigations and Individual A’s.
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 4:24 pm
Lot of “ums” in that response. Not very confidence-inspiring.
Comment by SAP Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 4:26 pm
Explains a lot, actually. Rauner has been shockingly quiet through all of this.
Comment by Centennial Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 4:30 pm
–The first thing needed is an extension of the statute of limitations to ensure the pending complaints can be investigated.–
This so-called statute of limitations should be removed completely or changed to one where, like in a court of law, it is based on when the complainant files the complaint and not something completely out of their control like here.
Comment by Ron Burgundy Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 4:31 pm
Statute of Limitations - another weasely attempt to cut the number or depth of investigations. Extend to 2028. How about that?
Comment by Anonymous Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 4:36 pm
Rauner is a terrible public speaker. All that stammering just makes he and his staff look terrible.
Comment by Stones Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 4:41 pm
Actually on this I think Rauner is correct. No comment should be given on allegations unless they are proven. Would be better though to have a system in place to swiftly evaluate and settle this issues
The ums are a cheap shot or include them in every persons quotes
Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 4:47 pm
– And there are not allegations. –
Why’d Rauner say that? Panic? It’s clear from the questions that there are.
Comment by wordslinger Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 4:47 pm
“I don’t comment on rumors” is of course a comment in and of itself.
And yes, he has been preternaturally silent on the topic.
Comment by dbk Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 4:51 pm
Homina, homina, homina, er…Madigan.
Comment by Winnin’ Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 5:03 pm
Wait. So it is more appropriate to have the OEIG investigate these kinds of allegations and not a 3rd party like say, Ron Braver?
Comment by Lost in Chicago Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 5:04 pm
This is the same OEIG whom Rauner was promoting to be the next United States Attorney for the northern district? Perhaps she should recuse herself from being in charge of an investigation that may be about the senior ranks of the governor’s staff.
Comment by Moe Berg Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 5:13 pm
I’m still wondering how many of these 27 pending complaints are sexual harassment complaints vs. other types of ethics complaints and how many of those being accused are actual serving legislators vs. other staff. Last week it seemed from the press as though there might be 27 sexual harassment complaints against legislators. Now it seems that the complaints might be regarding other bureaucrats in the legislature and indeed not all may be sexual harassment reports. How many and how many legislators. Will we ever know.
This is not to say they shouldn’t all be investigated and dealt with. I keep harping on this because the Illinois legislature has a pretty poor reputation already as being generally useless. Let’s not make it worse based on incomplete information and rumor.
Comment by Cassandra Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 5:15 pm
==Arsenal, that’s a fair point, but were you around during Blagojevich? One needed charts and decoders to keep track of all the investigations and Individual A’s.==
Vote Rauner, because the corruption in his administration isn’t as confusing as that in Blago’s.
Comment by Arsenal Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 5:29 pm
Somebody should ask former State Rep. John Anthony how the Rauner administration deals with sexual harassment.
Comment by Do I Have to Do All The Work? Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 5:45 pm
Arsenal, do you think that will fit on a yard sign?
Comment by Arthur Andersen Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 7:06 pm
Moe, I have no doubt IG Maggie Hickey will refuse herself and have her first assistant run the case. I worked at the OEIG and I am confident this case will be thoroughly investigated. If you can’t trust in the integrity of the OEIG, then who?
Comment by Pacman Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 7:16 pm
Darn autocorrect recuse not refuse
Comment by Pacman Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 7:17 pm
Pacman: thank you for sharing that expectation based on your experience. It’s obviously the proper thing to do. I hope the OEIG’s office would also make that recusal known to the public. It seems to me there is an obligation to provide reassurance on the integrity of the process. And, now that the issue has arisen it should be done in a generic fashion in terms of how the office handles such matters as the office is not allowed to comment directly on any specific investigation that is open.
Comment by Moe Berg Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 7:38 pm
For a billionaire with an Ivy League education, how come he cannot speak a coherent thought?
Comment by Honeybadger Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 8:09 pm
**Somebody should ask former State Rep. John Anthony how the Rauner administration deals with sexual harassment.**
You mean, promote him to a higher paying position, until he gets caught on video?
Comment by SaulGoodman Monday, Nov 6, 17 @ 9:56 pm
Pritzker has been quiet through this ordeal. He has called out Trump multiple times for sex harassment but has not said a word when Silverstein, a Senator JB has supported and donated to in the past, has claims against him.
Comment by My thoughts Tuesday, Nov 7, 17 @ 6:42 am