Republican House candidate Jillian Bernas blames what she sees as one of Springfield’s darkest periods squarely on the shoulders of state lawmakers.
“This is one of the things our state should not be proud of,” Bernas said during a recent appearance on the Illinois Rising Radio show. “Our leaders made this happen. They are creating systems that are corrupt while supporting their friends, making sure they get the benefits at the expense of the taxpayers.”
Bernas said lawmakers handling of the ongoing sexual harassment scandal now plaguing Springfield is another example of that. Currently, there’s great debate over whether lawmakers and government workers accused of harassment should still be eligible to receive full state pensions.
“We see Speaker (Mike) Madigan has done nothing to investigate these allegations,” said Bernas. “This behavior is allowed to permeate. It’s not fair to the good people of this state.”
Since the #MeToo movement hit Springfield, at least four close associates of Madigan (D-Chicago) have been ensnared in the probe.
Tim Mapes and Kevin Quinn were both forced to step down after being accused, while Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) ceded his position on the Senate Democratic leadership team. Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), Madigan’s No. 2 in Springfield, has also been similarly accused.
Mapes is the latest to face allegations after fellow Madigan staffer Sherri Garrett accused the longtime chief-of-staff of harassment and bullying.
Still, the Chicago Tribune reports Mapes remains eligible to collect a pension of more than $135,000, with annual increases of 3 percent, for his 40 years in state government.
During her primary run for governor, Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) estimated that Quinn was in line for a $750,000 payout from state taxpayers after contributing roughly $26,000 to his pension over 17 years of service.
Meanwhile, Silverstein recently passed the 20-year threshold, making him eligible for a yearly payment of 85 percent of his final legislative salary. In 2017, around the same time local activist Denise Rotheimer went public with her allegations of harassment against him, his yearly salary totaled almost $88,500, according to the comptroller's office.
“I’m running to get to Springfield to stop things like this,” Bernas added. “If you look at these as examples. there are now people sitting in office like ‘I’m untouchable.’ There needs to be accountability and a response to this kind of behavior. My opponent has been in office for eight years and she hasn’t done anything.”
Bernas, who is running against incumbent Rep. Michelle Mussman (D-Schaumburg) for the 56th District, said it would take a certain type to help rescue Springfield from itself.
“We need people to go down there and stand up,” she said. “We need people of conviction. Right now, we have certain leaders who don’t want to rock the boat. My opponent claims to be an advocate for women, yet she doesn’t stand up. I’m going to call it out when I see it on the Republican side or the Democratic side.”
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