A group of Republicans seeking seats in the Illinois House said in a joint statement on Facebook that they are running for office to change the culture of sexual harassment in Springfield.
Katie Miller, a nurse running in the 53rd District – covering parts of Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Elk Grove Village, Mount Prospect and Wheeling – posted the joint statement with a list of six other women who made the statement with her.
“It’s clear from the news breaking out of Springfield, Hollywood and across the country that this issue isn’t going away,” the statement read. “This is a pervasive problem that needs to be addressed immediately, starting with putting better people in leadership.”
The women who wrote the statement applaud the people who came forward with their experiences and those who are speaking out against sexual harassment.
“Our lawmakers and leaders must be held to the highest standards as representatives of Illinois’ ideals,” the statement said. “Together we plan to go to Springfield and restore the reputation of our state and our statehouse through principled and thoughtful policy and behavior, because our citizens and staff deserve respect and fair treatment in every aspect of their lives.”
Other GOP candidates who released the statement were Mary Battinus, a bilingual special education teacher running in the 57th District, which covers parts of Arlington Heights, Buffalo Grove, Glenview, Mount, Prospect, Northbrook, Palatine and Wheeling; Jillian Rose Bernas, an international relations manager running in the 56th District, which covers parts of Elk Grove Village, Hanover Park, Hoffman Estates, Palatine, Rolling Meadows, Roselle and Schaumburg; Amanda Biela, a teacher and nonprofit director running for the 15th District seat, covering parts of Glenview, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles and Skokie; Julie Cho, an operations consultant and candidate in the 18th District, which covers parts of Deerfield, Glencoe, Glenview, Kenilworth, Northbrook, Northfield, Wilmette and Winnetka; Ammie Kessem, a Chicago police officer running in the 19th District, covering parts of Elmwood Park, Harwood Heights, Norridge and River Grove; and Marilyn Smolenski, a small-business owner running in the 55th District, which covers parts of Arlington Heights, Elk Grove Village, Mount Prospect and Schaumburg.
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