SPRINGFIELD – To help provide a safe and constructive environment for all individuals in the workplace, state Rep. Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz, D-Glenview, introduced legislation to create policies to address workplace harassment in the private-sector.

“For too long, women, minorities and others facing a higher risk of being harassed or abused in the workplace have had too few options for recourse,” Gong-Gershowitz said. “As many brave victims across the country have come forward in recent years, there is increased awareness and demand for accountability. Meaningful change will require policies and practices that go beyond strict legal prohibitions. We must investigate ways in which we can encourage a culture of respect so we can continue to advance the ideal of equality and true agency.”

House Bill 905 creates the Private Sector Workplace Anti-Harassment Task Force. The task force will develop model policies and practices to create workplaces that are safe from harassment. It will address a wide range of workplace harassment-related issues, including methods for anonymous reporting, protection from retaliation, developing employee trainings, and empowering human resource departments. It will particularly focus on groups that are historically and statistically more vulnerable to harassment for reasons such as race, sexual orientation, immigration status and service industry work, among others.

“In a state that values fair treatment and tolerance, the #MeToo movement challenged us to ask ourselves if we have been actively doing our part to end a culture of harassment and discrimination,” Gong-Gershowitz said. “This bill is a step towards making sure the rules of the game truly create an equal playing field for those groups who have historically faced additional obstacles in the pursuit of happiness.”

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 widespread allegations of sexual harassment and misconduct in Illinois politics, state Rep. Michelle Mussman, D-Schaumburg, is sponsoring two new measures aimed at changing the culture that breeds inappropriate, predatory behavior.

“It is absolutely unacceptable to use a position of power to intimidate or harass another person, and it is shameful that this kind of behavior occurs in our state Capitol,” Mussman said. “Seasoned politicians and powerful lobbyists should be setting an example for young, up-and-coming staffers. Instead, they have contributed to a culture that discourages reporting instances of sexual harassment because victims fear professional retaliation.”

Mussman’s House Joint Resolution 83 calls on those working in government to work together to root out the culture that allows for sexual harassment to happen.

Mussman is also co-sponsoring Senate Bill 402, which would revamp current harassment policies to ensure that lobbyists, elected officials and their staff undergo annual trainings around sexual misconduct awareness and prevention.

“Everyone deserves to feel safe, respected and valued in their workplace,” Mussman said. “To that end, we must work to bring an end to dehumanizing behavior by those with power, which starts with educating the men and women who work in government about how to prevent and address it.”

BUFFALO GROVE, Ill. – As more stories emerge about the culture of sexual harassment in the workplace, specifically in Illinois politics, state Rep. Jonathan Carroll, D-Buffalo Grove, is fighting for tougher measures to stop workplace harassment.

“We need to create a culture where those who have suffered at the hand of sexual harassment do not fear retribution,” said Carroll.  “We need to hold people accountable for such actions to help put an end to harassment.”

The Carroll- backed House Bill 402 would create a new reporting pathway allowing those who have been sexually harassed to report inappropriate actions without fearing the consequences of retribution while also creating harsher disciplinary actions for predators. In addition, state employees, staffers and lobbyists would be required to complete a more robust, in-person sexual harassment training program. The names of those who fail to complete the training would be made public.

“This legislation creates stronger workplace protections than we have ever seen before,” Carroll continued. “But it is just one of many steps required to end workplace sexual harassment.”

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – House Speaker Michael J. Madigan issued the following statement Tuesday:

“Sexual harassment is unacceptable in any workplace. For a number of years, every member of the House has been required to certify that they develop and enforce a sexual harassment policy for their offices and staff. They will continue to do so. However, we can and should do more to ensure no individual is the target of sexual harassment in the Capitol or anywhere else.

“Because harassment thrives in silence, we are continually working to eliminate all forms of harassment from our Statehouse and our legislative offices. With this in mind, we will be advancing legislation that will require everyone—from legislators, to staff, to lobbyists—to complete yearly comprehensive sexual harassment training. We will also be requiring lobbyists develop and submit their own sexual harassment policies, just as legislators currently do.

“I have directed staff to conduct a thorough review of all existing policies related to this issue and to continue identifying further changes that can and should be made.”