Dr. Jay Kinzler, who is challenging Rep. Deb Conroy (D-Villa Park) in House District 46, says the lack of proper investigations into sexual harassment allegations demonstrates the incompetence of those in the state Capitol.
“It is kind of an example ... particularly of the Democrat leadership not doing the job that the people have charged them with. In other words, they are not being very good stewards of the positions that they have to help run our government and run our government safely and efficiently,” Kinzler told the DuPage Policy Journal.
One of the biggest blunders, Kinzler pointed out, was that the Illinois legislative inspector general position, which is responsible for looking into sexual harassment allegations, had been vacant for nearly three years.
Jay Kinzler, candidate for Illinois District 46
“It also begs the question, was this done intentional or unintentionally? Because certainly if there were a lot of complaints coming around, if you basically get rid of the complaint department then it is kind of like you can sweep certain things under the rug,” Kinzler said.
Kinzler said if it was an unintentional error, it demonstrated mismanagement by those in power.
GOP House Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) has proposed legislation that would pave the way for the creation of a hotline specifically for victims of sexual harassment. The idea behind the plan is to connect callers with counselling support, advice on filing complaints and also protective services, if needed.
Kinzler said he supported the move.
“Any type of program that makes it easier for victims to come forward is good. I think one of the things with victims is sometimes they don’t know where to turn or who to talk to,” he said.
Kinzler also suggested having website, phone number or person to contact would be beneficial for victims.
“All those things I think would be good so that someone, if they feel vulnerable (and) don’t know where to turn, at least they could find people and have access to those people to help them,” he said.
Kinzler is running in House District 46, which includes all or part of Glendale Heights, Carol Stream and Villa Park.
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