EXECUTIVE SUMMARY: Another member of the House Democratic caucus appears to have been excommunicated. Multiple sources told Capitol News Illinois that state Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, has been told he is no longer welcome in caucus meetings. Benton has also been stripped of his committee assignments.
A spokesman for House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, replied “no comment” when asked. Benton replied the same. It was not immediately clear why he was booted from the caucus.
BENTON: A union ironworker, Benton was elected by less than 1,300 votes in 2022. His far southwest suburban district is one of the most competitive in the state. In 2024, he defeated a well-funded challenge from Illinois Policy Institute staffer Gabby Shanahan by about 2,300 votes. Shanahan is challenging Benton again, and it was expected to be a “tier one” race. He is unopposed in the Democratic primary.
EXILE: Once hailing his caucus as “The Great 78,” Welch has purged three members during his tenure. Former state Rep. Mary Flowers, D-Chicago, was stripped of her leadership position and banned from caucus meetings for alleged poor treatment of staff and her colleagues. The speaker later backed a successful primary challenge to Flowers.
And last year, state Rep. Fred Crespo, D-Hoffman Estates, was stripped of his committee chairmanships and expelled from the caucus for working on a budget plan independent of and unauthorized by House Democratic leadership. Crespo is running unopposed in the Democratic primary and is heavily favored to win the November election.
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