Details show Speaker delayed lawmaker misconduct action

By Sean Reed | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – New investigative reporting revealed last week that Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch knew of misconduct by a now-resigned lawmaker far longer than previously known, raising questions from some on his commitment to a safe working environment.

In the Chicago Tribune investigation, reporters spoke with a former staffer of state Rep. Harry Benton, who resigned July 3, after Welch called on him to do so after an investigation by the Legislative Investigator General concluded.

The new reporting detailed that the Speaker’s office was made aware of reported misconduct by Benton as early as 2023, yet they delayed any action on the matter until earlier this year.

In response to the reporting, Welch’s office said the report by the LIG details all the steps his office took to respond to complaints made against Benton.

“The Legislative Ethics Commission has sole authority to release the report, and I encourage the Commission to do so in a manner it deems appropriate, with every necessary safeguard to protect the privacy and dignity of the individuals who courageously spoke out. Protecting potential victims and the due process rights of those accused remain concerns for members and are areas we need to consider as we look for ways to improve,” the statement read.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s spokesperson said he commends the women who spoke about their experience, and he wants the report – which has only been seen by a number of parties close to the investigation – to be released.

“He believes Illinoisans deserve the highest standards and ethics from their elected representatives, who all share the critical responsibility of maintaining safe working environments free of harassment,” Pritzker’s spokesperson said.

In a statement Friday, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie said the investigative reporting brings into question what Democrat leadership knew and how long they knew details of the complaints made against Benton.

“Delays in delivering accountability only protects misconduct. The Benton report should be released, and anyone who failed to uphold their responsibility must be held accountable. The culture has not changed and must change; public trust depends on it,” McCombie said.

Previously, Gov. Pritzker has consistently said he hasn’t seen the report on Benton, but he believes the process of investigating wrongdoing is working.

“Meanwhile, the legislature has put together a process and procedure for going through those with an independent legislative inspector general who’s doing the job of investigating,” Pritzker said. “That process seems to be working even if we all think that it could happen faster.”

The Legislative Ethics Commission is still expected to meet sometime before the end of the month, and it could choose to release the report on Benton publicly.

McCombie repeatedly called on the commission to release the report.

“Former state representative Harry Benton resigned amid allegations of misconduct. The public still has not seen the report, yet the speaker declared the process worked. This is not accountability, the victims and the public deserve transparency,” McCombie said.

The commission is made up of four lawmakers from each chamber, and an even number of Democrats and Republicans.

Michael McCuskey, the Legislative Inspector General, released a quarterly report for the end of Fiscal Year 2026 last week, which noted an investigation into Benton hadn’t concluded at that point, meaning the matter hadn’t been referred to the commission.

The commission may not have the report on Benton’s behavior before their next meeting, and it may be months before the public sees a report.

The two-term lawmaker with a union background as an ironworker resigned and suspended his reelection campaign, leaving an open spot on ballots in November, and a vacancy in his seat until the end of the term.

Seven different candidates in the 97th district have applied to be appointed to assume Benton’s role in the coming election and remainder of the term. A replacement is expected to be chosen early this week.