Benton Report Will Be Released
Former Rep. Harry Benton. (Photo: Chicago Tribune)
The Legislative Ethics Commission, a bipartisan, bicameral group of state legislators, voted unanimously Thursday to release the Legislative Inspector General’s report into sexual harassment claims against former Rep. Harry Benton.
Benton resigned July 3 after House Speaker Chris Welch received the report from LIG Michael McCuskey. Welch had announced two days before Benton needed to resign or face expulsion from the House.
Additional reporting from the Chicago Tribune revealed Benton harassed a lobbyist at a Chicago bar in February and had previously been reported for harassing a staff member in 2023.
“After considering the matter before us for case number 26-005 concerning the complaint against former Rep. Harry Benton, we voted to publish the report pursuant to our statutory obligations,” LEC Chair Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Sycamore) said in a statement. “To protect the privacy of those involved in this case, the respondent and complainant will be given the opportunity to review the report for potential redactions, which the Commission will review.”
After the review by both parties, which is required by law, Keicher said the report should be released by July 31.
