Details show speaker delayed lawmaker misconduct action
[July 21, 2026]
By Sean Reed | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – New investigative reporting revealed last week
that Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch knew of misconduct by
a now-resigned lawmaker far longer than previously known, raising
questions from some on his commitment to a safe working environment.
In the Chicago Tribune investigation, reporters spoke with a former
staffer of state Rep. Harry Benton, who resigned July 3, after Welch
called on him to do so after an investigation by the Legislative
Investigator General concluded.
The new reporting detailed that the Speaker’s office was made aware of
reported misconduct by Benton as early as 2023, yet they delayed any
action on the matter until earlier this year.
In response to the reporting, Welch's office said the report by the LIG
details all the steps his office took to respond to complaints made
against Benton.
"The Legislative Ethics Commission has sole authority to release the
report, and I encourage the Commission to do so in a manner it deems
appropriate, with every necessary safeguard to protect the privacy and
dignity of the individuals who courageously spoke out. Protecting
potential victims and the due process rights of those accused remain
concerns for members and are areas we need to consider as we look for
ways to improve," the statement read.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s spokesperson said he commends the women who spoke
about their experience, and he wants the report – which has only been
seen by a number of parties close to the investigation – to be released.
“He believes Illinoisans deserve the highest standards and ethics from
their elected representatives, who all share the critical responsibility
of maintaining safe working environments free of harassment,” Pritzker’s
spokesperson said.
In a statement Friday, House Minority Leader Tony McCombie said the
investigative reporting brings into question what Democrat leadership
knew and how long they knew details of the complaints made against
Benton.
“Delays in delivering accountability only protects misconduct. The
Benton report should be released, and anyone who failed to uphold their
responsibility must be held accountable. The culture has not changed and
must change; public trust depends on it,” McCombie said.
Previously, Gov. Pritzker has consistently said he hasn’t seen the
report on Benton, but he believes the process of investigating
wrongdoing is working.
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Now-resigned Illinois state Rep. Harry Benton speaks with colleagues
before a committee meeting during the 2026 spring legislative
session in Springfield, Ill. Photo: Courtesy of BlueRoomStream.
“Meanwhile, the legislature has put together a process and procedure
for going through those with an independent legislative inspector
general who's doing the job of investigating,” Pritzker said. “That
process seems to be working even if we all think that it could
happen faster.”
The Legislative Ethics Commission is still expected to meet sometime
before the end of the month, and it could choose to release the
report on Benton publicly.
McCombie repeatedly called on the commission to release the report.
“Former state representative Harry Benton resigned amid allegations
of misconduct. The public still has not seen the report, yet the
speaker declared the process worked. This is not accountability, the
victims and the public deserve transparency,” McCombie said.
The commission is made up of four lawmakers from each chamber, and
an even number of Democrats and Republicans.
Michael McCuskey, the Legislative Inspector General, released a
quarterly report for the end of Fiscal Year 2026 last week, which
noted an investigation into Benton hadn’t concluded at that point,
meaning the matter hadn’t been referred to the commission.
The commission may not have the report on Benton’s behavior before
their next meeting, and it may be months before the public sees a
report.
The two-term lawmaker with a union background as an ironworker
resigned and suspended his reelection campaign, leaving an open spot
on ballots in November, and a vacancy in his seat until the end of
the term.
Seven different candidates in the 97th district have applied to be
appointed to assume Benton’s role in the coming election and
remainder of the term. A replacement is expected to be chosen early
this week.
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