Overview
- House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said the Legislative Inspector General completed an investigation that found “clear patterns of conduct” by Rep. Harry Benton that he described as outrageous and unethical.
- Welch privately told Benton to resign and publicly said the House will initiate an expulsion process if Benton refuses, with the LIG giving both men 20 days to file written responses to the report.
- Benton was removed from the House Democratic Caucus and stripped of committee assignments in February after sexual harassment allegations were first reported, and he has not publicly responded to the LIG findings.
- Expulsion would require a two thirds vote of the full House, or 79 yes votes, meaning Democrats would need some Republican support because their current bloc falls short by one vote.
- If Benton resigns in time to change the ballot, local Democratic chairs in Kendall and Will counties would select his November replacement, with outlets reporting varying deadlines in mid to late August for ballot changes.