Pritzker urges Welch to fast-track solutions in harassment working group
(The Center Square) – While Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch has faced questions from lawmakers regarding his handling of complaints against a former member, he announced the chamber would begin a working group to change policies on reporting sexual harassment.
Some argue the working group isn’t needed, or at the very least, Welch needs to be more transparent about it.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said late last week that, based on an investigation report released by the Legislative Inspector General, the processes for victims and complainants to report harassment isn’t working.
“The state of Illinois in the House of Representatives needs a process that someone can rely upon and know that their information is being kept confidential and that the person who is responsible for the harassment will be investigated and then held responsible,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker’s claims come after Welchs public response to claims that his office knew about and didn’t act on a complaint against former state Rep. Harry Benton, who was found to have sexually harassed at least one staffer and a lobbyist after the claim from three years ago.
Republicans have criticized Welch’s previous reliance on working groups in his caucus for what they say is a way for the party in the supermajority to get around having public discussions about legislation in committee hearings.
State Rep, Kelly Cassidy, D-Chicago, who was opposed to Welch’s initial nomination as speaker due to reported past misconduct which Welch denies, said she wasn’t asked to confirm her involvement with the working group before it was announced.
“Prior to agreeing to serve on the working group, I asked a series of questions in order to ensure that the group would offer more than lip service or a PR stunt. My questions were not answered. Instead, my name was leaked as part of this process without my agreement,” Cassidy said in her statement.
She also contended that, while a working group could be necessary, Welch wouldn’t provide the information needed for her to feel the group would even make progress.
“I’m disappointed, as I believe a working group on this topic could be necessary and important. But we have a responsibility to victims and survivors to ensure any such body is credible and effective, and I currently do not have confidence it will be. As such, I will not be participating at this time,” Cassidy said.
Reps. Dagmara Avelar, serving as the group’s chair, Tracy Katz Muhl, Lisa Davis, Suzanne Ness, Amy Murri Briel, Theresa Mah, Kam Buckner, Daniel Didech, Gregg Johnson and Norma Hernandez were announced to be in the group, according to Maze Jackson – a political advisor close with Welch.
Pritzker said he thinks the group should work quickly, as the House doesn’t have rules to protect victims while providing transparency – unlike other state agencies, much of the private sector and other states.
“There doesn’t need to be much of a discussion through a working group. You have to write legislation or at least write rules in the House,” Pritzker said. “We’re not reinventing the wheel here. The nation has figured out how to allow someone to come forward and make sure that they get justice when they’ve been harassed.”
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