North Cook News

Katie Miller wonders if the press had never written about a sexual harassment complaint against one of House Speaker Michael Madigan’s top political advisers whether the House leader would have addressed the charge.

Miller, a Mt. Prospect Republican who is seeking the seat of retiring Rep. David Harris (R-Arlington Heights) in the 53rd District, posed that question to North Cook News since it was reported the speaker had waited to address a complaint from political aide Alaina Hampton, who said she received harassing text messages from former Madigan political worker Kevin Quinn.

“A complaint was filed in November (2017), and was there anything done about it before the Chicago Tribune had a story about it?” Miller asked. “If there wasn’t a story, would anything have been done?”

In a North Cook News report last week, Miller said when Mark Walker, an Arlington Heights resident  running in the Democratic primary in the 53rd District, was a member of the General Assembly in 2009, he voted for Madigan; and in campaigns for elected office, Walker received more than $300,000 from committees controlled by Madigan.

In that report, Miller called for Madigan to resign; and the longtime nurse at St. Alexius in Hoffman Estates and case manager at Northwest Community Hospital in Arlington Heights said she still demands that Madigan step down.

“This is just one example about corruption and covering up problems in Springfield instead of trying to fix them,” Miller said.

Miller wants to know if Walker will also demand that Madigan step down.

“Will my opponent Mark Walker demand his resignation?” Miller asked. “Will he pledge to not vote for him as speaker? Will he return the money he has received from him? Or will he again stand shoulder to shoulder with Madigan?”

She said the lack of action on Madigan’s part simply shows a significant lack of leadership. 

“They (complaints) should be taken seriously and be investigated in a timely manner,” Miller said. “Also, victims of sexual harassment should be protected.”

Miller said 27 complaints were waiting for Illinois Legislative Inspector General Julie Porter when she was appointed to the post in late 2017 after the post remained vacant for almost three years. 

“There needs to be a change in culture,” Miller said. “No more of the Good Old Boys Club covering up problems. When there are complaints, they need to be investigated in a timely matter not waiting months or years.”