SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In a bid to improve government transparency State Rep. Sue Scherer, D-Decatur, co-sponsored legislation requiring local governments to inform the public when they enter in sexual harassment settlements.

“Taxpayers deserve to be informed when public officials are removed because of misdeeds,” Scherer said. “We need to be working to increase government transparency, especially when there are alleged wrongdoings.”

The Scherer sponsored House Bill 4242, a bipartisan measure, requires any unit of local government receiving revenue from taxes to notify the public when they enter into a severance agreement with an employee or contractor accused of sexual harassment or discrimination.

Under this legislation, the units of government must provide the name of the person receiving the severance payment, the amount of the severance payment, and the fact that the person receiving the payment stands accused of sexual harassment or sexual discrimination. The legislation also requires the public to be notified by newspaper and public website within 72 hours after a severance agreement is made.

“Requiring a 72 hour public notification holds local governments accountable so they can’t try to sweep things like sexual harassment under the rug,” Scherer said. “Without transparency, no one can be held accountable if something goes wrong.”

Scherer represents the 96th District, which includes portions of Christian, Macon and Sangamon counties.

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In response to the widespread incidents of women being sexual harassed and discriminated against in Springfield, state Rep. Mike Halpin, D-Rock Island, supported a package of legislative measures to crackdown on sexual harassment, ensure offenders are brought to justice, and that steps are taken to continue combatting workplace discrimination and harassment in both the public and private sector.

“We cannot underscore enough the need to combat sexual harassment in the workplace, both in the private sector and in government,” said Halpin. “Today, we advanced a package of legislative initiatives that would make Illinois one of the first states in the nation to address this very serious problem within state government.”

Halpin voted to pass Senate Bill 402, which will require every legislator, staffer and lobbyist to complete an annual sexual harassment training program. Lobbyist businesses will also be required to create and enforce their own internal sexual harassment policies, similar to what legislative staffs are already required to have in place. Additionally, Halpin voted to pass House Joint Resolution 83, which calls on everyone involved in Illinois politics to reject harassment and work to put an end to it.

Acting to empower the new legislative inspector general who will be charged with investigating allegations of harassment and other violations, Halpin stood with a bipartisan group of lawmakers to pass House Bill 137, which allows complete investigations of all complaints pending with the inspector general’s office, despite a one-year statute of limitations.

Halpin is also supporting efforts to create 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.

“Legislation alone will not eliminate misogynistic, predatory and discriminatory behavior by those in power, in the Capitol or anywhere else,” said Halpin. “Doing so requires changing the culture that allows such behavior to occur without consequences. This is a good step toward combatting sexual harassment and discrimination, but our work cannot stop here.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, joined members of the House on Tuesday in taking first steps to combat sexual harassment in the state Capitol by approving legislation to mandate sexual harassment training for legislators, legislative staff, and lobbyists and adopting a resolution committing to working to change a culture of harassment and discrimination in government and politics.

“I’m deeply troubled by allegations of sexual harassment regardless of where or when that harassment takes place,” said Yingling. “There’s no doubt that we all can do better to address this issue and ensure that every person who walks through the Capitol doors feels safe and respected. Sexual harassment training is only a first step to tackle this issue head-on.”

Yingling voted to pass Senate Bill 402 require all legislators, staff and lobbyists to complete yearly sexual harassment training. Additionally, lobbyists will be required to submit and enforce their own sexual harassment policies, just as all legislators do currently. He is also sponsoring House Joint Resolution 83, which resolves to change the culture that promotes harassment in the Capitol.

“The last few weeks in particular have demonstrated that sexual harassment is present in all industries and all walks of life,” Yingling added. “It’s unacceptable for anyone to feel anything less but safe and protected, especially in the workplace.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – In response to the widespread incidents of women being sexual harassed and discriminated against in Springfield, state Rep. Stephanie Kifowit, D-Oswego, is supporting 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.

“I stand with the countless victims of sexual harassment who have been assaulted while simply trying to do their jobs,” Kifowit said. “No woman should ever be intimidated and mistreated in this manner and we have a duty to eliminate this sickening behavior from our Capitol and every workplace.”

Kifowit voted to pass Senate Bill 402, which will require every legislator, staffer and lobbyist to complete an annual sexual harassment training program. Lobbyist businesses will also be required to create and enforce their own internal sexual harassment policies, similar to what legislative staffs are already required to have in place. Additionally, Kifowit was the Chief Co-Sponsor on House Joint Resolution 83, which calls on individuals involved in Illinois politics to reject harassment and work to put an end to it.

Acting to empower the new legislative inspector general who will be charged with investigating allegations of harassment and other violations, Kifowit stood with a bipartisan group of lawmakers to pass House Bill 137, allows complete investigations of all complaints pending with the inspector general’s office, despite a one-year statute of limitations.

Kifowit is also supporting efforts to create 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.

“Sexual harassment and discrimination is not an issue we will solve with legislation alone, it will take a changing of the culture,” Kifowit said. “But I hope these measures will give women in Springfield and across Illinois the courage to continue coming forward and encourage others to stand up against violence against women.”

LOCKPORT, Ill. – In the wake of continued reports of sexual harassment in Springfield, state Rep. John Connor, D-Lockport, is supporting new legislation that would require elected officials, lobbyists and legislative staff to participate in regular training sessions aimed at curbing sexual harassment.

“It’s clear that sexual harassment continues to be a problem in the work environment, school setting and society at large,” Connor said. “It has been disappointing to hear of some of the problems that continue to occur around the Capitol. It’s time to take action.”

Connor is supporting Senate Bill 402, which will require every legislator, staffer and lobbyist to complete an annual sexual harassment training program. Lobbyist businesses will also be required to create and enforce their own internal sexual harassment policies, similar to what legislative staffs are already required to have in place. Additionally, Connor is sponsoring House Joint Resolution 83, which calls on individuals involved in Illinois politics to reject harassment and work to put an end to it.

“This isn’t just a problem in Springfield, this is a serious problem that needs to be fought against in every community and in every industry,” Connor said. “I encourage businesses and organizations across the state to review the policies they have in place, and to make sure that they are enforcing the issue and removing individuals who are perpetrating these acts.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – State Rep. Marty Moylan, D-Des Plaines, released the following statement Tuesday, standing with the more than 130 female legislators, lobbyists, attorneys and directors of nonprofit groups who have come forward to condemn unacceptable acts of harassment against women in the Capitol:

“Our Capitol belongs to every man and woman who calls Illinois home, and no one should ever be subjected to unwanted advances or sexist attitudes in these chambers. More than 130 women who come to the Capitol to make a difference in our communities have joined with countless women across the country to say ‘me too,’ and demand that we change the way Springfield operates. It’s our responsibility to hear them, believe them, and stand with them to take action.

“I have taken steps in my office to prepare and enforce workplace protections for all, but we can always go further. We must go further. I fully back efforts to require all legislators, lobbyists and staff to complete sexual harassment training every year, and I believe lobbyists should be required to create their own sexual harassment policies just like all legislators must do. I will continue to stand with the women who have gone through things no one should have to experience in the workplace, or anywhere in a fair society. I will proudly fight to change the culture in Springfield.”