Metro East Sun

Dwight Kay is anxious to see if lawmakers in Springfield are ready to grasp the redemption he thinks they should be seeking from their frustrated constituents.

“I’ve seen instances where the General Assembly has stepped in to take away benefits from individuals over things they’ve been accused of doing,” Kay, who is running against Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) in the 112th District, told the Metro East Sun. “It may not be popular in Springfield, but I believe this needs to be one of those times. This needs to be dealt with, and just because there’s no law on the books regarding it doesn’t mean it’s a matter that should be just swept under the rug.”

The latest debate stems from the ongoing sexual harassment scandal now plaguing Springfield and how at least four close associates of House Speaker Mike Madigan are still considered eligible for a full state pension despite being ensnared in the controversy to the point each of them has been forced to relinquish at least some of the responsibilities they were publicly entrusted with.

Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville)

Madigan's former Chief of Staff Tim Mapes, political operative Kevin Quinn and Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) have all been accused of harassment, as has Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), Madigan’s No. 2 man in Springfield.

In the case of Mapes and Quinn, both were forced to step down, while Silverstein (D-Chicago) ceded his position on the Senate Democratic leadership team.

Mapes is the latest to go after fellow Madigan staffer Sherri Garrett stepped forward to accuse the longtime chief of staff of harassment and bullying.

The Chicago Tribune, however, reports after 40 years in state government, Mapes is still eligible to collect a pension of more than $135,000 per year with annual pension increases of 3 percent

Meanwhile, Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) estimates that Quinn, a longtime Madigan operative, is in line for a $750,000 payout from state taxpayers after contributing roughly $26,000 to his pension over 17 years of service.

Finally, 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 time activist Denise Rotheimer first went public with her accusations of harassment against him, his yearly salary totaled almost $88,500, according to the comptroller's office.

“Too many lawmakers seem to be more concerned with protecting their pensions and their perks then they are with governing or protecting victims,” Kay said. “Madigan and Democrats have had a long time controlling the House and how it operates. The issue of sexual harassment is something they never thought would come to light. They thought that they had intimidated enough people to the point this was an issue they didn’t need to pay any attention to.”

Kay said the impact of it all now seems clear.

“It says to me that we have allowed too much power to be placed in the hands of too few,” he said. “If we want real change, we have to change the people that created the culture. Otherwise, it will continue to be business as usual in Springfield.”