Dem leaders want transparency, unsure if ethics report will be released

By Sean Reed | The Center Square
The Center Square

(The Center Square) – After state Rep. Harry Benton stepped down from his seat after findings in an ethics investigation, top Illinois Democrats said they want public transparency, while noting they are unsure if the investigation report can be made public.

Last week, Democrat leaders called on Benton, D-Plainfield, to step down from his seat after the ethics investigation started in February was completed.

The two-term lawmaker with a union background as an ironworker resigned Friday and said he’ll suspend his reelection campaign, pulling his name from the November ballot.

Benton said the investigation, which reportedly stemmed from sexual harassment complaints, has “placed tremendous strain on [the lawmaker’s] family,” before he asked for their privacy to be respected.

After a complaint was submitted to Mike McCuskey, the Legislative Inspector General, in February, Benton was stripped of all committee assignments and removed from the Democratic Caucus by House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch.

Benton was absent from session in Springfield from the investigation’s start through April.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Welch discussed the investigation and expressed uncertainty toward a potential release of findings by the Legislative Ethics Commission.

“I think he made the right decision, there’s no doubt. And I’m always in favor of transparency,” Pritzker said. “I think that one of the reasons though that he may have chosen to resign is because I think in the absence of someone actually being in the legislature still, that a report can’t be released about somebody that’s not in the legislature anymore.”

According to state statute, the body has jurisdiction over current and former members of the legislature in their capacity as lawmakers.

“I’ve got to imagine that because he has resigned they no longer have the authority to look into this further, but I’m going to let the Legislative Ethics Commission determine what their ability is going forward,” Welch said.

The commission is scheduled to meet with the legislative inspector later this month, according to Welch, noting that the commission could have more information to share then.

According to law, Welch has 20 days from when he received the report from the inspector to officially respond, and the inspector is given 30 days to deliver the report to the commission.

Leadership of the commission declined to comment when asked if they have received information related to the investigation, or if they expect to discuss it at their next meeting.

No parties have said if the findings, which Welch described as, “outrageous, unethical, and unprofessional,” are criminal in nature, which would be referred to the attorney general.

Because the investigation didn’t result in a suspension or termination, the commission is not required to publicly release the report, but they have the power to according to state law.

Benton said he would begin to suspend his reelection campaign. As of Monday, Benton’s campaign was still listed as active on the Illinois State Board of Elections website.

The lawmaker was set to again run against Republican candidate Gabby Shanahan, an engagement director with Americans for Prosperity. She lost to Benton by 4.4% in 2024.

Shanahan told The Center Square a new opponent to fill the vacancy would need to be appointed by Aug. 21 deadline for ballot changes statewide.

Welch said local Democrat leadership is in charge of finding a replacement when asked if he or other party officials will be involved.

“That is the next step, for the Will and Kendall County chairs to make that decision – and you know all politics is local – we’re going to defer to them on that replacement,” Welch said.

Mary Jo Wenmouth, the Kendall County Democrat Chair, said in a statement that she and the Will County chair are already in discussion about a replacement for Benton.

A form has also been posted to the Will County party’s website for candidates to apply for the ballot vacancy, with a deadline of next week Monday.