IVCA Provides Updates for State Legislative Issues 07/07/2026

LEGISLATOR RESIGNS AFTER INSPECTOR GENERAL REPORT

Suburban Democratic lawmaker Rep. Harry Benton is now former-Rep. Harry Benton after resigning Monday from the Illinois General Assembly. Benton had been reduced to only being able to vote on the floor of the House after allegations of improper conduct were lodged against him. After the Inspector General report, House Speaker Welch demanded his resignation or else he would be expelled. Illinois Politico newsletter:

Details of the allegations against Benton, who did not return a request for comment, remain largely unknown, though two people familiar with the General Assembly’s internal discussions have characterized the allegations as involving sexual harassment. They were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. While the report would have been automatically released had it caused Benton’s expulsion, his voluntary resignation leaves its potential release to the public up in the air.

ABC Chicago | South suburban Democrats move to replace former Rep. Harry Benton after undisclosed ethics findings: Democratic leaders in Will and Kendall counties will choose Benton’s replacement for the 97th House District, one of the state’s more politically competitive areas. The weighted vote gives Will County Democratic Party Chairman Billy Morgan the ability to make the selection on his own. “We need someone who will be pragmatic and effective in Springfield,” Morgan said. “They need to be somebody who understands how to get things done, and someone who’s a real fighter for the 97th district.”