Illinois Rep faces investigation over sexual harassment
[April 25, 2026]
By Sean Reed | The Center Square
(The Center Square) – A state representative embattled with allegations
of sexual harassment returned to Springfield this week after being
stripped of all committee assignments and ousted from the Democratic
caucus.
After a long week of legislative session, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris”
Welch, D-Westchester, held a press conference to discuss the
‘megaprojects’ bill that passed Wednesday.
Reporters quickly shifted to a subject the speaker has avoided recently:
Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, who voted in favor of the bill.
Benton was, for all intents and purposes, shunned by his party over
allegations of sexual harassment in late February.
Confronted for specifics about Benton’s status in the legislature late
Wednesday, Welch said he still didn’t want to discuss the matter.
“We're going to talk about what happened here today,” Welch said.
Reporters pushed back, noting Benton returned to the House floor without
clarity to constituents on why he was ousted.
“At the proper time that information will come out,” Welch said.
The Center Square asked if information would come to light before or
after May 31, when the Spring legislative session is scheduled to end.
Welch then spoke at length, defending his silence on the matter.
“People are entitled to due process. There is a process in place that
guarantees every one of us due process, and we're going to allow that
process to play out,” Welch said. “And we shared this with the caucus.
We also have to talk about victims and what they're entitled to.”
Welch said he would not share more information on the grounds of
protecting victims and did not specify what he meant by “due process.”
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The Illinois State Capitol is shown in Springfield. Photo: Greg
Bishop / The Center Square
The Legislative Inspector General’s office released a quarterly
report earlier this month, which said only one instance of sexual
harassment had been reported since the start of the year, and an
investigation has since been opened.
Reporting from Capitol News Illinois confirmed allegations against
Benton exist and there is an ongoing investigation by the inspector.
The quarterly report did not go into further detail, but the office
only releases reports with findings after an investigation
concludes.
Benton, who is currently in his second term serving the 97th
District, is up for reelection in November. He is up against
Republican candidate Gabby Shanahan, who lost to him by 4.4% – about
2,300 votes – in 2024.
In a statement to The Center Square, Shanahan said she is running to
be accountable to residents of the district.
“Families are being left without a voice while costs go up and
politicians look out for themselves. Enough is enough. We deserve
answers, not silence. I’ll always show up, be accountable, and work
for the people it is supposed to serve,” Shanahan said in the
statement.
Neither Benton or his office responded to a request for comment.
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