Conservative Republican Jillian Bernas of Schaumburg is calling on Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg) to join her in demanding that House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) resign.
Bernas is running in the GOP primary in the 56th House District and garnered 44.7 percent of the vote in her 2016 race against Mussman. She said in a press release that her call comes as the political organization that helped elect Mussman is under fire from allegations of sexual harassment and after Madigan failed to appoint a legislative inspector general for three years leaving 27 complaints of sexual harassment or other misconduct unheard.
“Speaker Madigan should resign as speaker and as chairman of the Illinois Democratic Party for abusing his power and covering up for those close to him who engaged in unwanted and inappropriate sexual misconduct,” Bernas said.
Bernas said she wonders if Mussman will also demand Madigan’s resignation.
“Will Mussman pledge not to vote for him?” Bernas asked. “Will she demand more from her largest benefactor? Or, with her silence, will she condone this behavior?”
Alaina Hampton, an employee for Madigan’s political operation, came forward alleging Madigan ignored her complaints of sexual harassment against one of his top political aides, Kevin Quinn, according to the press release. Hampton forwarded the complaints to Madigan, but he took no action until Hampton brought her story to the press, the release said.
“Rep. Mussman has received professional campaign help from Kevin Quinn, the alleged harasser, and Heather Weir Vought, Madigan’s attorney who took three months to review Hampton’s complaints and offered her another position during a meeting in a coffee shop after Hampton submitted her complaints,” Bernas said.
She said that by continuing to support Madigan, Mussman is part of the culture in Springfield that she even admits “breeds inappropriate, predatory behavior.” yet Mussman has voted for Madigan as speaker of the House four times and has received hundreds of thousands of dollars in campaign contributions from Madigan, Bernas said.
The 56th House District includes Schaumburg, Hanover Park, Roselle and Elk Grove Village.
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