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House employee will come forward today “about repeated sexual harassment in Springfield”

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* From Joanna Klonsky Communication Strategies…

WEDS, 11AM: State House employee to come forward about repeated sexual harassment in Springfield

WHO: State House of Representatives employee who has repeatedly experienced sexual harassment and bullying at work

WHAT: Press conference in which State House employee will detail her experience with sexual harassment in the workplace, and will call for changes to improve accountability and change the culture of sexism in Springfield

WHERE: 50 E Washington St., 5th Floor, Chicago, IL 60602

WHEN: Wednesday, June 6, 2018, 11AM

As always, speculation will not be tolerated in comments. Don’t get yourself banned for life.

* Related…

* Madigan asks for dismissal of sexual harassment lawsuit: In Tuesday’s filing, Madigan’s legal team contended Hampton fails to establish an “employment relationship existed” between her and the party during the “relevant time period.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 9:01 am

Comments

We seemed to have entered the “Bandwagon Effect.” Every couple of days a new person alleges something, and gets some recognition from the press. Seems like a hard way to get 15 minutes of fame.

Comment by Retired Educator Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 9:28 am
Retired Ed, you’re already sure, eh?
You may have retired just on time. All of them are serious until they aren’t.

Comment by A guy Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 9:31 am
what a disgusting cynical comment, Retired Educator, discrediting a victim before they even tell their story.

There are still a lot of questions to be answered but if you don’t think there is a problem with the culture in Springfield, then you my friend have never worked there or have been a part of it. Its a club, its a hierarchy, there are expectations. But sure keep burying your head in the sand, everything’s fine, everything’s fineeeeee.

Comment by Iggy Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 9:33 am
Perhaps they wouldn’t feel the need to hold press conferences if there was an actual fair and meaningful process in place where it didn’t feel like the fix was in for the accused.

Comment by Ron Burgundy Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 9:35 am
We seemed to have entered the “Bandwagon Effect.” Every couple of days a new person alleges something, and gets some recognition from the press. Seems like a hard way to get 15 minutes of fame.

I suspect it is hard to come out and tell people what has happened to you and risk your job and the attention you are going to get and the people in various places (including here) who are going to call you into question and defend those you are accusing.

Yeah, it seems like a terrible way to “get 15 minutes of fame”

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 9:35 am
Retired Ed, we’re nowhere close to the bandwagon effect. This is not even the tip of the iceberg.
And there’s a whole lot brewing that will never make it to the press— that’s not everyone’s path. Going to the press is also an extremely ineffective method to achieve fame given that it rips your life apart and makes you untouchable. But I mean, sure- that’s a hard way to get 15 minutes of fame. I guess we agree.

Comment by Who else Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 9:39 am
===We seemed to have entered the “Bandwagon Effect.”===

You’re really not very bright. I shudder to think what your students were taught.

Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 9:41 am
No idea who the accuser or the accused is, but if Joanna Klonsky is involved, you can bet whatever story we are about to hear has been well-vetted. She’s a pro

Comment by ILPundit Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 9:50 am
“Bandwagon effect” Retired Educator, you should go watch Dietland on AMC. it’s exaggerated in a darkly comedic portrayal of misogyny and harassment and fat shaming, but not really. these are real things that exist in shocking numbers in the real world.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 9:52 am
After the Loncar press conference, I hope today’s actually has an attorney speaking for the victim. A professional media strategist is a good start, but these women need to follow the Hampton plan and let their attorneys do most of the speaking.

Comment by Swift Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 9:55 am
Sight unseen, I commend this person’s bravery. Despite the (gradually) changing climate towards sexual misconduct by powerful men, it’s still very difficult for victims to come forward.

Comment by buffalo soldier Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 9:56 am
I thought the same, ILPundit.

These ladies (and any men , too) deserve to be heard. People who have experienced the harassment and/or bullying telling their stories are the only way to try to get from where the workplace currently is to where the workplace appropriately needs to be.

Perhaps we won’t hear any name in particular but a general ‘this is what it’s been like in Springfield for me’.

The practice of harassment and bullying has no place in the work place. It needs to be stopped. If it takes the fear of being exposed to, in some way, help stop the ill behavior, so be it.

Comment by Cindy Lou Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 10:00 am
Retired Educator, It’s comments like that which make it harder for women to speak out against sexual harassment.

Comment by Miss Marie Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 10:03 am
Team Madigan seeking to dismiss case in what will be perceived as a technicality. This is a potentially explosive sexual harrassmwnr case and the defendant is playing legal hardball. Ok if it’s redistricting case but tone deaf and missing the moment in a “me too” matter.

Comment by 19th ward guy Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 10:06 am
Is MeToo really a risk for Madigan? Unless it is something he has done personally is anything really a risk to Madigan?

Comment by OneMan Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 10:30 am
Effects of Quincy VA home deaths >>>>>>> conversation with Blago, etc. Not sure why Rauner is even trying.

Comment by Barrington Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 10:38 am
Sorry that should have been under a different posting.

Comment by Barrington Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 10:39 am
When Denise Rothheimer announced her press conference, I was very concerned it would be counter-productive and not substantive. With Joanna involved in this one, I think we’re going to get something very real. These stories need to come out if we’re ever going to change the frat-boy culture of Springfield.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 10:41 am
@19th ward guy -

So you’re saying the lawyers shouldn’t do their job.

Comment by JoanP Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 10:41 am
where can we watch?

Comment by Anon Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 10:56 am
Will this press conference be streaming anywhere?

Comment by SallyD Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 10:59 am
Is there a way to watch the conference?

Comment by JackK Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 11:02 am
OneMan - given who Ms. Garrett is alleging I think this may stick.

Comment by Exclamation Point Deleted Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 11:14 am
Not sure about a live stream, but the ScribbleLive thread has updates about it.

Comment by thechampaignlife Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 11:16 am
=No idea who the accuser or the accused is, but if Joanna Klonsky is involved, you can bet whatever story we are about to hear has been well-vetted. She’s a pro=

Credibility is important, and that is the risk for accusers so often is that their credibility and possible motives are attacked almost immediately. I don’t think people really understand the risks that people take in stepping forward before judging them.

Comment by JS Mill Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 11:17 am
Yikes……………

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 11:19 am