Overview
- A redacted Legislative Inspector General report published on July 31 found two founded incidents of sexual harassment by former Rep. Harry Benton and made parts of the investigation public.
- The report confirms a former Benton staffer told Speaker Chris Welch’s office about inappropriate comments and harassment in April 2023 and that Welch’s office did not confront Benton about those allegations until July 2023.
- Benton resigned on July 3 after Welch urged him to step down or face expulsion, and the LIG had completed its investigation in late June and later recommended no further discipline after the resignation.
- Welch apologized this week for interactions with a former staffer and has proposed centralizing human resources for House staff, creating a working group on culture and hiring an outside investigator, while advocates press for a fully independent review.
- The findings have widened pressure on Welch because his political funds helped Benton's 2024 reelection and critics cite gaps in recordkeeping and disclosure that could prompt broader reforms in how the Illinois General Assembly handles harassment complaints.