Katie Miller, the Mt. Prospect Republican candidate in the 53rd House District, says state government isn't set up to serve ordinary people: it is set up to enrich and protect the powerful.
Responding to the recent report by Legislative Inspector General Julie Porter regarding allegations that Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) sexually harassed legislation activist Denise Rotheimer, Miller said Porter’s portrayal of the senator’s conduct as “unbecoming” but not sexual harassment is simply not just.
“This was demonstrated again by the legislative inspector general's decision to let Ira Silverstein off the hook,” Miller said. “I'm running to bring a culture shift to Springfield and to remind the elected officials that they work for us, and should be delivering results for us.”
Miller vying for the seat held by retiring Rep. David Harris (R-Arlington Heights), said it's time for some women to take on Springfield. Miller's opinion came after an impromptu press conference Rothemier gave on Monday saying Porter’s 26-page report was a false narrative filled with victim-blaming that found favor with the senator.
“He is extremely contrite about the harm that he has caused his family, but he does not appear to fully accept that the messages went beyond ‘joking around,’ were unprofessional, and created at least the appearance that he had a romantic relationship with Rotheimer,” Porter writes in the report.
Miller, a longtime nurse at Alexian Brothers epilepsy clinic in Hoffman Estates and case manager at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights, said the polluted process must change.
“I hope you'll send me there on March 20th to put an end to the cozy Good Old Boys' network that has destroyed our state's economy and enriched the powerful politicians,” Miller said. “We need leaders who will stand up and put an end to Illinois' political culture, not elected officials who accept colleagues who behave inappropriately."
Rotheimer first accused Silverstein of sexually harassing her at an Oct. 31, 2016, House Personnel and Pensions Committee hearing. At the time, Illinois did not have anyone serving as legislative inspector general, however, soon after the accusation was made, Porter was appointed to the post and reviewed Rotheimer’s ethics complaint.
“Our political leaders are held to a different standard than ordinary people and take care of each other,” Miller said. “They are protecting themselves. In Illinois, the most important thing for the politicians is staying in their position.”
However, hope is not lost according to Miller.
“I would bring honest to Springfield,” Miller said. “We also need accountability for people’s actions and I think we need legislators that are not career politicians, who will break up the Good Old Boy’s club in Springfield.”
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