Republican state House candidate Jillian Bernas
Republican state House candidate Jillian Bernas
Republican state House candidate Jillian Bernas marvels at the strength displayed by Maryann Loncar.
"I applaud Maryann Loncar for stepping forward to have her voice heard,” Bernas posted on Facebook after Loncar publicly alleged that she had faced acts of sexual harassment at the hands of longtime state Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie) ”It takes incredible strength and courage to challenge those in power.”
In that respect, Bernas argues that Loncar is the antithesis of Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg), whom she is set to face off against in November’s general election.
Republican state House candidate Jillian Bernas
“Earlier this year, more than 300 women signed a letter detailing allegations of abuse,” Bernas added on Facebook. “Michelle Mussman has been in Springfield for nearly a decade, working side-by-side with Lou Lang. Her leadership and unwillingness to fight has allowed abuse to run rampant and victims to be ignored.”
The Prairie State Wire previously reported that Loncar went public with her allegations of sexual harassment against Lang just one day after he helped broker the passage of the Equal Rights Amendment in the state House. He has since resigned from his leadership role as deputy majority leader.
Similar accusations were recently brought against fellow Democratic Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) by activist Denise Rotheimer. Additionally, Kevin Quinn, a political operative for House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago), has been accused of sexual harassment by former campaign aide Alaina Hampton.
“It is time to hold Mussman, Lang and the politicians in Springfield accountable for allowing such a culture of abuse to continue," Bernas added.
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