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* Here we go again?…
BREAKING: Denise Rotheimer, the first person to speak out against Sen. Silverstein, says Thursday in Springfield, the last day of the legislative session, a female activist will come forward to name a "leading lawmaker" as her longtime abuser #twill #harassment
— Mary Ann Ahern (@MaryAnnAhernNBC) May 29, 2018
The activist might want to think about moving that presser up to tomorrow in case they leave town Wednesday night or early Thursday.
Also, absolutely no speculation will be permitted in comments. Don’t get yourself banned for life.
*** UPDATE *** Sun-Times…
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.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:00 pm
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Oh cmon. Everyone knows it’s ____________, ________, _______, ____________, _________, ___________ and ________.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:02 pm
what was that Comey bible quote about let the waters flow?
Comment by Amalia Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:04 pm
Pending more details, really a bizarre idea to do it on the last day of session. Decent chance everyone will have packed up and left, or your news is drowned out by a budget passing. Just do it now.
Comment by PJ Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:05 pm
Maybe the activist has a bill or bills pending, and doesn’t want to risk backlash against those
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:07 pm
“Long time Abuser?” “Leading?”
Hard to imagine someone could make that up.
Comment by A guy Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:09 pm
Having Denise Rotheimer as your spokesperson in this situation just doesn’t seem like the wisest move.
Comment by Montrose Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:12 pm
–Decent chance everyone will have packed up and left, or your news is drowned out by a budget passing.–
I doubt there is any chance such news would be “drowned out by a budget passing.”
My guess is that 95% of Illinois adults can’t quess the Illinois GRF budget within $5 billion.
Scandals seem to get through the clutter.
Comment by wordslinger Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:14 pm
What did the Speaker know and when did he know it?
Comment by Casual observer Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:14 pm
Why play games in making an announcement as if they are announcing something exciting? Nust announce it now. Waiting only sounds like its to build attention.
Comment by Real Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:17 pm
Casual, we don’t even know the party affiliation yet. Take a breath.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:17 pm
Announcing (leaking?) that you are going to announce something makes you look like more of an opportunist than a victim.
Comment by Anonimity Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:21 pm
==Scandals seem to get through the clutter.==
Unless it’s more substantial than Rothheimer’s (which was weird and gross but not abusive), I dunno about that. It might get equal footing with all the bills that passed or failed on deadline day, which seems to be worse than just doing it right now, when you’d essentially have the spotlight to yourself.
Comment by PJ Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:21 pm
Agreed Rich but he is Speaker of the whole house. And I’m not an anti MM person. Regardless of party affiliation he will be asked.
Comment by casual observer Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:22 pm
“hard to imagine someone would make that up”. No, it’s not hard to imagine that anyone would make anything up and that it would be taken as gospel, especially if it was particularly “newsworthy”. People have “made up” all sorts of unbelievable stuff and held press conferences to great effect or damage. The standard of evidence in the court of public opinion is substantially lower than in a court of law. In no way am I implying that there haven’t been many victims whose stories have been untold or not believed, but saying something doesn’t make it true, no matter the speaker. Extreme caution should be the initial reaction.
Comment by weqeohrf Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:22 pm
I’d lay odds on whoever it might be adding a Graduation to the calendar that day…
Maybe even a Love Child?
Comment by A guy Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:23 pm
Well then maybe we will get out of here early.
Comment by Some Anonymous Dude (S.A.D.) Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:23 pm
*- weqeohrf - Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:22 pm:
“hard to imagine someone would make that up”.*
==a female activist will come forward to name a “leading lawmaker” as her longtime abuser ===
Activist. Leading. Longtime. Abuser.
Yeah, I think that’s a little hard to make up and not have anything credible behind it. But hey, we’ll see.
Comment by A guy Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:26 pm
–I thought Silverstein was her abuser. Seriously, she had more than one? –
Did you read the tweet correctly? A Female Activist will come forward. It doesn’t state Denise Rotheimer will.
Comment by Aokay Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:35 pm
Even Ahern makes a curious statement, “DR, the first person to speak out…” Was there a second person who spoke out against Silverstein and I missed it? Even at this stage with next to no information, there is reason to doubt veracity.
Comment by weqeohrf Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:43 pm
In another #MeToo bombshell, for what it’s worth, in our neighboring state of Missouri, word has it that Governor Greitens will resign from office at 4:00 today.
Comment by Colin O'Scopy Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:46 pm
If it is someone who is unopposed currently, keep in mind the deadline to file as an independent or third party against the accusee is June 25th. The signature requirement varies by district but are about 2-3k if its a House member & about 3,500-5k for Senators
Comment by Grand Avenue Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 3:51 pm
It would be a new low for Illinois politics. LOL
Comment by VanillaMan Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 4:01 pm
What are the odds that a “female activist” would have anything to do with a republican?
Comment by Occam Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 4:01 pm
So one of the $100K actors in the GovJunk commercial bites the dust…Thanks GovJunk.
Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 4:02 pm
Whatever does or doesn’t happen, an excess of theatre greatly diminishes credibility. Advance warning to enhance suspense seems more than a bit theatrical.
Comment by Skirmisher Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 4:15 pm
Denise Rotheimer is a “female activist” and she’s a Republican (insert eye roll).
Comment by Broken record Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 4:16 pm
Teaming up with Rotheimeier doesn’t seem like a wise choice. I also agree that the extra drama doesn’t help credibility.
Comment by dunno Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 4:22 pm
Announcement, announcement…. Why announce it, go to the cops/inspector general…#RideTheWave
Comment by Anon Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 4:35 pm
This is calling in a bomb threat
This is political terrorism
This is premeditated undemocratic destruction
This is not about #metoo
This is about one woman’s unquenchable thirst for vengeance
Denise Rotheimer is orchestrating
Extrajudicial vengeance
For political perfidy
It is a violation and affront tobthe rule of law.
It’s about Rotheimer
Her need for attention and fame.
It’s not about seeking justice.
She’s going to blow up government
For fame and personal needs.
She is highjacking #metoo
To get in front of a microphone
To be a Joan of Arc
absolutely sick
No matter who gets named
Comment by Honeybear Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 4:38 pm
It seems like Rotheimer is becoming the Gloria Allred of Springfield.
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 4:50 pm
Honeybear- why don’t you wait and see what she says before you make silly comments about a serious issue. In life sometimes its best to remain silent before you remove all doubt….
Comment by Board Watcher Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 4:53 pm
There may be a bit to much drama with the way this announcement is rolling out, but Rothmeir isn’t the bad guy here. The person who treats women as sex objects is the person that needs to be criticized. I bet there are a lot of people squirming in Springfield and won’t sleep well tonight.
Comment by Groucho Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 5:02 pm
Rotheimer has no credibility
Comment by Precinct Captain Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 5:03 pm
Board. You are correct.
Comment by BlueDogDem Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 5:06 pm
abuse of power, not a form of sexual harassment says Rotheimer.
so, bullying? are we defining the line between that and rough and tumble politics? or an actual Nixonian abuse of power? politics ain’t beanbag, and so Rotheimer all that is not metoo. it’s just not. cause all that applies to men getting pushed around.
Comment by Anonymous Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 5:08 pm
It takes courage to come forward.
Comment by Albany Park Patriot Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 5:14 pm
===what was that Comey bible quote about let the waters flow?===
Was it “But let justice roll down like waters, and righteousness like an ever-flowing stream.”? That’s Amos 5:24
Comment by Suburban Mom Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 5:21 pm
==Honeybear- why don’t you wait and see what she says before you make silly comments about a serious issue.==
So serious that Ms. Rothiemer is making the revelation of the name as dramatic as possible. For what purpose? “But first a word from our sponser”
Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 5:22 pm
As others have sort of alluded, the statement today kinds of cheapens it and sort of reduces the impact.
You tease out the premier of a cool new TV show.
Allegations of abuse? That should be handled more professionally. It is serious. You don’t play games by saying, in effect, “Guysss! Guess what IIIIII know!!!”
That approach is sort of problematic.
Comment by Gooner Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 5:26 pm
I was too flip earlier. We need to see if this is for real or a DR stunt. We all know there are countless stories down there. Hopefully this is real and it will encourage more to come forward. If it’s not, than DR will lose all credibility.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 5:35 pm
She’s in a tough spot. I have no doubt that she could be concerned about having legislative repercussions, so waiting until session is over makes sense.
At the same time, if she announced it right after session was over, there would literally be people who would find out on the road. There are a lot of people who clear out quick.
So my take on the timing is that she’s giving fair warning to reporters that they might want to stick around after adjournment.
Comment by tough one Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 5:48 pm
Isn’t politics the art of the abuse of power?
Comment by yo Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 5:48 pm
==There may be a bit to much drama with the way this announcement is rolling out, but Rothmeir isn’t the bad guy here. The person who treats women as sex objects is the person that needs to be criticized.==
Note the Update “…the abuse was not a form of sexual harassment.”
Comment by Pot calling kettle Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 6:10 pm
““This is abuse of power,” she said, adding the abuse was not a form of sexual harassment.”
Rich, if you taking bets on who is “abusing power,” I want in.
Comment by Mama Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 6:33 pm
Aren’t we supposed to get just one 15 minutes of fame, or does that no longer apply with the internet?
Comment by West Side the Best Side Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 6:38 pm
She didn’t use the word “he”.
Comment by m Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 7:18 pm
Nice post Honeybear. What if she’s telling the truth? You’re demeaning someone speaking out about sexual assault because you disagree with her political views. Great job labor.
Comment by Lolz Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 8:08 pm
She is speaking for herself, not all of Labor. And why not just come out and name names. What is with all the pre-hype? Sheesh
Comment by Honeybadger Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 8:23 pm
I am outraged at this clear abuse of power. I can hardly wait until Thursday to learn why I am outraged.
Comment by anon Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 8:42 pm
I agree with you Honeybear. This seems to be typical DR theatrics. If I’m wrong, so be it.
Comment by Yiddishcowboy Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 8:45 pm
This reminds me of the hour-long special LeBron did to tell everyone he was gonna play for the Heat.
Comment by Back to the Mountains Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 8:45 pm
This is crazy. Forget the theatrics. If it’s an issue, say it.
Otherwise, it’s just hype.
Comment by Bobby T Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 8:53 pm
I really despise the word “abuse”. It has a meaning and I represented children that were abused. So if you had your feelings hurt or even were propositioned believe me you were not abused
Comment by DuPage Saint Tuesday, May 29, 18 @ 9:15 pm
An activist and legislature, strike that a female activist an elected female were not sexually abused at the job site. is someone controlling your brain with thought waves
Comment by Rabid Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 6:01 am
=== the abuse was not a form of sexual harassment. ===
So, not another #MeToo moment.
Was it criminal?
No? Okay, so not another Rod Blagojevich moment.
Was it a violation of the Ethics Act?
No? Okay, well, have you tried talking to the lawmaker or their legislative leader about it?
Comment by Thomas Paine Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 8:26 am
Lols- read the post. It’s not a sexual abuse issue it’s an”
“abuse of power”
Regardless Rotheimer might have something that is true
But last time it wasn’t
She was fairly and thoroughly adjudicated
She was judged not to be a victim of harassment
That accusation
Which I thought baseless as well
Ruined a political career
Rotheimer tried to launch her own
Political career from the publicity
It was all about highjacking #metoo
For her own notoriety
Look at how she frames herself
“The first person to speak out”
( in fairness it could have been Ahern who said this)
Regardless, her only hedge from being
Unknown is her action
Which exposed unbecoming flirtation
But killed a career
Now I’m supposed to trust her?
Now her Joan of Arc actions
Are just?
I impugn her integrity
I impugn her motives
Even if she accuses Rauner
Comment by Honeybear Wednesday, May 30, 18 @ 9:19 am