Kifowit Appointed to Sexual Harassment and Discrimination Task Force

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – As women in Illinois and across the country continue to come forward and demand an end to sexual harassment and discrimination, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, will serve on a newly created Task Force on Sexual Discrimination and Harassment charged with researching new policies that will combat harassment in both state government and the private sector.

“I am strengthened by the fact that every day, strong women and men across our country are coming forward and speaking out against violence and intimidation,” Kifowit said. “I plan to use my seat on this task force to ask the tough questions, and I hope Republicans and Democrats will continue to work together to eliminate sexual harassment and discrimination.”

Earlier this month, Kifowit joined with her colleagues to pass legislation creating a task force to conduct a comprehensive review of the legal and social consequences of sexual discrimination and harassment in both the public and private sector and make recommendations to the General Assembly to combat this behavior.

Kifowit also cosponsored a package of legislative measures to crackdown on sexual harassment, ensure offenders are brought to justice, and that steps are taken to continue combating workplace discrimination and harassment in both the public and private sector. She also supported legislation ensuring that the newly appointed inspector general has enough time to complete investigations of all complaints pending, despite a one-year statute of limitations.

“As a mother of both a daughter and a son, I want everyone to work in an environment free from harassment and discrimination,” Kifowit said. “The only way we can truly end sexual harassment and discrimination is by changing our culture and that starts by standing up against the individuals who commit these disgusting acts and saying ‘no more.”