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Sherri Garrett responds to Mapes’ resignation

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Illinois

* Press release…

Following is a statement from Sherri Garrett following the news that her sexual harasser, Speaker Michael J. Madigan’s Chief of Staff Tim Mapes, has resigned:

“I am relieved that Mr. Mapes has resigned. I know victims of harassment throughout our state government and political sphere share that relief. I am hopeful that more individuals will now feel safe coming forward, knowing that their words can make a difference and force change.

“While Mr. Mapes resignation is an important symbolic and substantive change, however, the conditions that led to my harassment and the mistreatment of so many others have not changed. I remain steadfast that we need effective and independent mechanisms to ensure accountability to fix the culture of sexism and abuse that I have endured.”

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 4:24 pm

Comments

As an aside, the way Sherri Garrett has handled this so far has been extremely impressive. The Loncar debacle and sideshow really could have dissuaded other victims from coming forward. The way this was rolled out, and the results so far, gives me hope that others will be more comfortable going public.

Comment by TopHatMonocle Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 4:31 pm
I don’t know how this will play out, but this feels a lot like the end of Dan Rostenkowski and George Ryan. Things changed, but those guys continued to operate as they’d always done, as if the “new” rules didn’t apply to them.

Garrett and others talk about a culture that exists, and maybe she’s right. But even if that’s true, I don’t think MJM recognizes it or understands how he’s contributed to it over the years. I think he thinks, “I’ve never done anything inappropriate to women so I have no culpability.” I think he truly has a hard time understanding that this is a big issue.

Comment by 47th Ward Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 4:35 pm
I think 47th is right. Madigan’s cluelessness does not give him a pass at all. It is the opposite of how he handles politics, where he knows what levers to push and how to manage people. He is incredibly good at reading the room in that context. He is horrible in this one.

Comment by Montrose Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 4:48 pm
Hard to believe that the man that created and presides over the culture should be the one to fix it. Too much baggage.

Time to ride off into the sunset.

Comment by SSL Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 5:06 pm
Or your Blue Wave could become a Red Tide. This effects all Democrats. The message that the Democrats are a party of corrupt sexual harassers might start to sink in with voters. If no Republican accusers step forward, the Democrats might be toast.

Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 5:26 pm
The more I think about it, the more I think Madigan will have to go. Almost everyone has acknowledged that there is a pervasive sexual harassment problem in Springfield. Arguably Madigan has been the most powerful politician in Illinois politics for the last 30 years.

Fair or not this is his culture. He owns it. When you hang around as long as he has, you subject yourself to the culture changes etc. The wave is coming for him and I don’t think he can stop this one.

Comment by Generation X Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 5:38 pm
when, oh when, will Donald Trump resign. when will he address the multiple women who have come forward to say they were groped. they were paid off. when will he say that he is sorry. where are the Republicans who come to denounce him. to demand that he say he is sorry. to ask for his resignation. crickets. That is the Republican party.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 5:47 pm
If Madigan goes, but Rauner stays you could have a very big change in culture.

Comment by A Jack Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 5:55 pm
@Gen X, so by that logic are we going to blame him for all our budget and pension woes?

Comment by BlackHawk Boone Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 6:25 pm
Sherri, thank you for your courage.

Comment by Amalia Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 6:27 pm
Wow Amalie is spot on. Trump said one of the most offensive things you could ever say about a women, but he got elected. Crickets from the former party of family values. But, this in no way excuses any behavior regards of which side of the isle.

Comment by Just Sayin ... Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 6:29 pm
Seems that not only has Madigan thru his policies bankrupted the State he has also bankrupted our politics

Comment by Sue Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 6:39 pm
To leaders of both parties be they local, state, or national…
To the men and women who hear and see someone else being put down or harressed or demeaned…

Say Something… If you don’t and allow what should never be allowed, many and more voters will be leaving you behind.

To those who have been put down or harassed or demeaned… Keep Saying Something. Your voices are too important to be silent.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BmErRm-vApI

Comment by Anon221 Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 6:43 pm
@ Blackhawk Boone.

I’m certainly not blaming him for all of this as each individual makes their own choices. However I am reacting to now 2 close Madigan confidants caught up in this. If a culture change is needed, what do you think should change?

Comment by Generation X Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 8:06 pm
MJM has been the difference between total State breakdown and revival, given the Governor’s ineptitude. He has stepped up and met the political challenges. Critics seem to believe that all w cill be right in the world without him, yet they know that without him it will be utter chaos.

Comment by Analyst Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 9:29 pm
== without him it will be utter chaos.==

The indispensable man, eh? I doubt it.

Comment by Responsa Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 9:32 pm
Its been time for MJM to go for a few years. But I don’t see that this particular situation should drive him to resign. Only if members of his own party use it as pretext to push him out.

Comment by park Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 9:52 pm
Do you think maybe we could give the accused (and future accused) five or ten minutes max to defend themselves. Just asking. Don’t want Springfield to become like Salem. Just read a great article on Napoleonic Justice.

Comment by Digger O'Dell Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 10:05 pm
As a bona fide independent, why doesn’t anything out of dc or Springfield surprise me. I expect these kinds of activities out of our power hungry, corrupt two part system. As a a man, I deferred to Mrs blue. Her response. ” go figure”.is this the common thought amongst independent leaning women? I guess we will find out come November. My bet. Rauner still loses by 9%.

Comment by BlueDogDem Wednesday, Jun 6, 18 @ 10:18 pm
It’s hilarious to me that people keep say that this is “Madigan’s culture”, that he created it. You don’t think there was harassment, or intimidation, before he started his term? The control he has over politics in IL has a chilling effect on basically anything that would be bad for him/his organization, which yes includes reports about people’s bad behavior, but to hear you all talk no other person in the state has free will. It’s all on the Speaker. I don’t even like the guy but come on.

Comment by Perrid Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 8:04 am
Mapes was very unpopular and hence there are few to defend him. But the instant justice meted out is to me still disturbing. Far more so in Lang’s case, where the allegations were beyond flimsy and yet he instantly lost his leadership, JCAR, and Ethics Commission positions.

Comment by Quiet Sage Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 8:09 am
Mapes has always been flippant when communicating. That’s his style. Times change, Mapes didn’t.

Comment by Louis Howe Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 8:16 am
-You don’t think there was harassment, or intimidation, before he started his term?-

Let’s see, MJM has been Speaker for 33 of the last 35 years. Is the defense that the capitol has always been a cesspool, and that MJM can’t be responsible for something that was started prior to 1983? I think I’ll try that with my boss today. “Yeah, I’ve been the manager of this department for 35 years, but there was horrible behavior before I got here. So what am I supposed to do about it?”

Comment by Downstate Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 8:41 am
Watched the Garret news conference video … my take-a-way … a Springfield’s version of Linda Trip.

Comment by Louis Howe Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 9:25 am
@ Sage - When your talking about behavior and situations that happen inside a very small office and community of workers I don’t think you call the reaction instant justice.

It’s clear to me that those parties involved knew everyday how Mapes was acting, how he spoke to people and what he thought of others bad behavior. It’s fair to be instant because the case was already closed - they were just waiting for someone to bring it to a jury.

Comment by Cool Papa Bell Thursday, Jun 7, 18 @ 9:27 am