Metro East Sun

Doug Jameson thinks lawmakers in Springfield have passed the point of being the best judge of some of their own actions in the case of the ongoing sexual harassment probe that show no signs of slowing.

“The only way to handle this from this point on is to have an independent investigator, with the ability to probe everything and punish as needed, come on board to look into things,” Jameson, a Belleville Republican who is challenging Rep. Jay Hoffman (D-Swansea) in the 113th District, told the Metro East Sun. “This whole episode is another example of how the system is broken and needs help from other places to put itself back together.”

The latest wrinkle in the ongoing debate centers on the growing question of should elected officials and government operatives accused of harassment still be eligible to receive their full state pensions.

Rep. Jay Hoffman

Since the #MeToo movement hit Springfield several months ago, at least four close associates of House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) have now been ensnared in the probe.

Tim Mapes, Kevin Quinn and Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) have all been accused of harassment that has forced each of them to at least partly relinquish some of their responsibilities amid growing questions about their abilities to effectively perform the tasks they were publicly entrusted with.

Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), Madigan’s No. 2 in Springfield, has also been hit with similar allegations.

In the case of Mapes and Quinn, both were forced to step down, while Silverstein 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.

No matter, the Chicago Tribune 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

During her primary run for governor, Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) estimated that Quinn is in line for a $750,000 payout from state taxpayers after contributing roughly $26,000 to his pension over 17 years of service.

Meanwhile, Silverstein recently passed the 20-year threshold, making him eligible for a yearly payment of 85 percent of his final legislative salary. In 2017, or around the same time local activist Denise Rotheimer went public with her allegations against him, his yearly salary totaled almost $88,500, according to the comptroller's office.

“We can’t have these leaders investigating themselves when it comes to this,”  Jameson said. “These are serious matters that deserve our full and undivided attention.”

Beyond Madigan, Jameson said he also finds leaders like Hoffman responsible for how out of control things have become.

“My opponent bears some responsibility because he’s one of Madigan’s top assistants who’s voted for him as Speaker each chance he’s had and fought for his policies, never choosing to give an issue like this any of the focus that it clearly deserves.”