MOORE’S SUMMARY: For the first time, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, on Wednesday hesitantly addressed his exiling of Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, from the House Democratic Caucus earlier this year. But he declined to offer specific details, citing the need to “respect victims” and protect “due process.”
WHY IT MATTERS: Welch booted Benton from the caucus and stripped him of his committee assignments in late February with no public explanation. The Illinoize newsletter reported at the time and Capitol News Illinois later confirmed that allegations of sexual harassment were made against Benton, a two-term legislator who represents a southwest suburban Chicago swing district. Despite his exile, Benton has continued to show up for session but has declined to comment on the situation to reporters.
MUM’S THE WORD: Welch has been reluctant to touch on the issue, ending at least one interview when asked about the topic or, through spokespeople, responding “no comment.” But as he gathered outside of his office with members of his caucus after a busy legislative day on Wednesday, the Statehouse press corps saw its chance.
WATCH THE VIDEO: Our video editor Andrew captured the exchange between Welch and the Statehouse press corps.
‘A PROCESS IN PLACE’: “We’re not going to have that topic of conversation today,” Welch said when a reporter asked him if he though Benton should resign. “We’re going to talk about what happened here today.”
But pressed further by reporters, Welch said that “at the proper time, that information will come out.”
“There is a process in place that guarantees every one of us due process, and we’re going to allow that process to play out,” Welch said. “And I think part of that is not coming out and speaking to the press about something when folks are entitled to due process.”
“But I also want to underscore something very important, and we share this with the caucus: We also have to talk about victims and what they’re entitled to,” Welch said. “Coming out and talking to reporters about a process that’s ongoing is not the proper thing to do, and so we’re going to respect due process. We’re going to respect victims.”
He left as a reporter asked him if he’d given Benton due process before booting him from caucus.
LIG: Welch did not specify what he meant by “due process,” but multiple sources have told Capitol News Illinois that a report detailing allegations against Benton was filed with the legislative inspector general’s office. The office, which investigates claims of misconduct by legislators and legislative staff, has declined to comment. It’s also worth noting that LIG reports are only made public if allegations are sustained.
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. A spokesperson for Democrats for the Illinois House – the caucus’ political arm – has not responded to multiple requests for comment on whether they plan to abandon the race.
The House Republican Organization has been critical. In a statement in March, the group said the Benton situation represents “the same culture of silence that has long plagued Democratic politics in Illinois.” This is a reference to former House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, whose final years were plagued by a sexual harassment scandal involving a member of his political organization.
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. But unlike Flowers, Welch did not back an opponent against Crespo in the Democratic primary last month.
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