Metro East Sun

Dwight Kay reasons the jury remains out on what impact the new law granting greater power to legislative watchdog groups might have on obliterating the problem of sexual harassment in Springfield.

“I think this ethics commission will have to prove its own worth,” Kay, who is running against Rep. Katie Stuart (D-Edwardsville) in the 112th District, told the Metro East Sun. “Historically, I have seen very little done from these kinds of group across the board.”

The new law grants legislative watchdog groups the power to investigate sexual harassment complaints without first having to get approval from the Legislative Ethics Commission, a panel of lawmakers appointed by House and Senate leaders from both parties.

Rep. Michael Madigan

Gov. Bruce Rauner’s move to ink the new legislation comes as lawmakers in Springfield are being dogged by a sexual harassment scandal that in recent months has ensnared at least four close associates of powerful House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago).  

Tim Mapes, Madigan’s longtime chief of staff; Kevin Quinn, a key operative in his political empire; and Sen. Ira Silverstein all were forced to relinquish at least part of their responsibilities after being accused of harassment.

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

Meanwhile, Rauner has instantly hailed the new law as “a victory for the heroic women who have stepped forward to take on the culture of fear, abuse and retaliation that permeates too much of state government.”

The legislation also creates a four-person committee composed of former judges and prosecutors that will search for a full-time inspector general to replace Julie Porter who was temporarily installed in the post roughly a year ago. And the inspector general can now share information with a victim and others involved in a complaint, unlike the policy that was in place when Porter took over.

“Finally, we’re seeing enough people with enough courage to step up and speak out, forcing lawmakers to address the problem,” Kay said. “We can’t allow them to now keep policing themselves on the issue. That would be like assigning the fox to watch the hen house. Someone with expertise in this area needs to come in oversee this.”