MOORE’S SUMMARY: As expected, the Legislative Ethics Commission voted unanimously on Thursday to, in the future, release Legislative Inspector General Mike McCuskey’s founded report concerning the conduct of disgraced ex-Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield.
FROM THE CHAIR: “After considering the matter before us for case number 26-005 concerning the complaint against former Rep. Harry Benton, we voted to publish the report pursuant to our statutory obligations,” said Rep. Jeff Keicher, R-Sycamore, who chairs the bipartisan, bicameral committee. “To protect the privacy of those involved in this case, the respondent and complainant will be given the opportunity to review the report for potential redactions, which the Commission will review.”
WHAT HAPPENS NOW: Benton, McCuskey and any named complainants each have the right to review the documents and offer redactions before they are made public. The LEC said it anticipates this process being completed by July 31.
WHY IT MATTERS: The release of the report, which had been in question in the aftermath of Benton’s July 3 resignation, became a forgone conclusion when a bombshell Chicago Tribune report published last week revealed that Welch’s office knew for years about sexual harassment allegations made against Benton.
Welch has told his members that the LIG report will vindicate how his office handled the Benton matter. He has asked his members to publicly call for its release, even providing boilerplate language for members to use to respond to media inquiries.
Gov. JB Pritzker has also called for the report’s release.
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