Metro East Sun

Doug Jameson argues it’s time voters finally put their words into action.

“We hear citizens and politicians routinely make statements like ‘elections have consequences’ and ‘every vote counts,’" Jameson, a Belleville Republican running for the seat held by Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) in the 113th District, told the Metro East Sun. “At no time has the significance of these words been truer. In order to change course in Illinois, we must votes to remove (House) Speaker (Mike) Madigan (D-Chicago).”

The latest scandal involving the longtime party leader centers on former political staffer Alaina Hampton, who recently stepped forward to allege harassment by longtime Madigan operative Kevin Quinn, her direct supervisor and the brother of Chicago alderman and fellow Madigan ally Marty Quinn.

Hampton further alleges that her compliant was ignored by Madigan and other high-powered members of his organization.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Hampton maintains her issues with Quinn date back to 2016, when he started sending her inappropriate text messages and asking her out on dates.

She said in February 2017, she formally filed a complaint with Marty Quinn, one of Madigan’s top lieutenants.

By April of that year, Hampton had walked away from her job altogether after coming to believe her persistent complaints were largely being ignored.

She said she feels there was a cover up because she sent a letter to Madigan’s home in late 2017, but again no action was taken against Kevin Quinn until a day after she went public with her story.

Hampton has also filed a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission and she and her attorneys now plan to file suit against the Illinois Democratic Party and Friends of Mike Madigan.

“The current sexual harassment scandal unfolding in Springfield and Chicago is yet another indicator of Speaker Madigan’s failed leadership,” Jameson said. “It appears Madigan’s blind ambition for power has left him blind to the victims of his failed leadership. He should resign his position immediately. If he fails to do so, voters or state representatives should vote him out of office.”

The ruckus in Madigan’s office comes as legislative leaders in Springfield grapple with the fallout of the office of the legislative inspector general having gone unfilled for roughly three years. The inspector general is responsible for investigating all ethics complaints, including allegations of sexual harassment.

During the time the position went unfilled, at least 27 complaints alleging harassment were filed, including one against Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago), who has since been found to have engaged in behavior “unbecoming a legislator” in his dealings with local activist Denise Rotheimer.

“The leadership too often is willing to look past transgressions, because they know the votes generated by machine politicians are needed to maintain power,” Jameson said. “Sadly, it appears there is only one Democrat in the Illinois House willing to stand up to Speaker Madigan, as 66 of 67 Democrat state representatives voted to keep him in position as speaker of the House. Therefore, it is up to voters across the state to remove Democrat representatives who repeatedly vote to enable Speaker Madigan’s failed leadership.”