Dupage Policy Journal

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) thinks the “good ol' boy network” is alive and well in Springfield, as evidenced by the Democratic Victory Fund’s recent decision to contribute more than $55,000 to the re-election campaign of  Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago).

“Democrats are only interested in maintaining power so it is no surprise they are supporting Sen. Silverstein, a longtime incumbent with plenty of name recognition,” Ives told the Prairie State Wire.  

The organization’s decision to support Silverstein comes as he continues to be dogged by allegations of sexual harassment.

Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton)

The allegations, lodged by longtime local activist Denise Rotheimer, became public in October, a time when the legislative inspector general post in Springfield that handles such investigations was going on its third year of being vacant, during which time 27 allegations of harassment reportedly languished uninvestigated.

Since then, Julie Porter has been installed in the post and she recently concluded that Silverstein was not guilty of sexual harassment but that he did violate the section of the Illinois Governmental Ethics Act known as the legislative code of conduct. She recommended that he receive counseling from the Senate’s ethics officer.

What some have called a slap on the wrist is apparently enough to put Silverstein back in the good graces of some party leaders.

“The Springfield culture of the good ol' boy network, marginalizing harassment and covering up for and protecting political allies needs to stop,” Ives, who is challenging Gov. Bruce Rauner in the Republican primary, said. “That will only happen with a change in leadership.”

No matter who’s in charge, Ives said politicians should be held to a higher ethical standard than the one many fear has now overtaken Springfield.

“Their conduct reflects on our state as a whole,” Ives said. “But the Democrats are sending a message to voters that simply saying we will do better is sufficient rather than actually taking action by not supporting legislators who have overstepped boundaries.”