Rep. Harry Benton resigns, withdraws name from ballot amid ethics investigation
The resignation follows a closed legislative investigation into sexual harassment allegations, and his departure leaves the report’s findings and ballot replacement unclear.
- On Friday, State Representative Harry Benton resigned from the Illinois House, citing personal strain while withdrawing from his reelection bid following a secretive legislative inspector general investigation into unspecified sexual harassment allegations.
- House Speaker Emanuel 'Chris' Welch removed Benton from the Democratic Caucus in February, then issued an ultimatum last week threatening expulsion proceedings if the lawmaker did not resign after accusations surfaced.
- Legislative Inspector General Mike McCuskey delivered his findings to Welch earlier this week, with the speaker describing the report as revealing "clear patterns of conduct" that were "outrageous, unethical, and unbecoming."
- Governor JB Pritzker noted that Benton's resignation might prevent release of the investigation report, which state law shields, leaving uncertainty whether the Legislative Ethics Commission can disclose findings.
- Democratic party chairs in Will and Kendall counties must appoint a replacement within 30 days, while Republican nominee Gabby Shanahan criticized the political class for leaving constituents "without the representation they deserved.
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11 Articles
Dem leaders want transparency, unsure if ethics report will be released – Center Square
After state Rep. Harry Benton stepped down from his seat after findings in an ethics investigation, Gov. JB Pritzker said, “I think that one of the reasons though that he may have chosen to resign is because I think in the absence of someone actually being in the legislature still, that a report can't be released about somebody that's not in the legislature anymore.”
Dem leaders want transparency, unsure if ethics report will be released - Regional Media News
(The Center Square) - After state Rep. Harry Benton stepped down from his seat after findings in an ethics investigation, top Illinois Democrats said they want public transparency, while noting they are unsure if the investigation report can be made public. Last week, Democrat leaders called on Benton, D-Plainfield, to step down from his seat after the ethics investigation started in February was completed. The two-term lawmaker with a union bac…
Disgraced ex-state Rep. Harry Benton 'made right decision' to resign, Gov. JB Pritzker says
<p>A disgraced southwest suburb ex-legislator “made the right decision” to step down last week following unspecified misconduct allegations, according to Gov. JB Pritzker — but it’s unlikely the public will ever see the scathing government watchdog report that prompted the resignation of state Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield.</p><p>“I think he made the right decision, there's no doubt, and I’m always in favor of transparency,” Pritzker said at a…
Cherokee Tribune Ledger News
Morgan County CitizenDem leaders want transparency, unsure if ethics report will be released
(The Center Square) – After state Rep. Harry Benton stepped down from his seat after findings in an ethics investigation, top Illinois Democrats said they want public transparency, while noting they are unsure if the investigation report can be made…
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