North Cook News

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) recently issued a statement calling for the newly appointed legislative inspector general to release redacted versions of the sexual harassment claims pending investigation after the office stood vacant for nearly three years.

“The fact that these complaints were kept quiet for over a year creates a uniquely urgent circumstance,” Ives said in a statement. “(Julie) Porter will obviously need time to review the complaints that have been ignored. I would, however, call on her to release copies of the complaints while redacting the names of the accusers.”

The handling of sexual harassment complaints in the General Assembly has become a mounting scandal following revelations that a complaint from lobbyist Denise Rotheimer against Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) was never investigated.

Illinois state House Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton)

“With an election looming, voters have a right to know the substance of the complaints and who are the accused that have been protected from investigation,” Ives said in her statement. “Women and girls across the state have experienced sexual harassment at the hands of those they perceive to be more powerful than them. They, in particular, deserve to know who they are empowering to represent them in government.”