HR0890 100TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0890 LRB100 21118 MRW 37025 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, On November 7, 2017, the Illinois House of Representatives and the Illinois Senate adopted House Joint Resolution 83 which urged action to address the issue of sexual harassment in Springfield and throughout Illinois State government; and

WHEREAS, House Joint Resolution 83 resolved that "those supporting this resolution are committed to saying #IWILL do better and I will work with my colleagues to change the culture that breeds such behavior"; and

WHEREAS, Since the adoption of House Joint Resolution 83, the Illinois General Assembly has not done better; and

WHEREAS, Since the adoption of House Joint Resolution 83, new allegations of sexual harassment and abuse in and around Illinois State government and political campaign organizations continue to be made public on a regular basis, diminishing the integrity of the Illinois General Assembly and the State of Illinois; and

WHEREAS, Since the adoption of House Joint Resolution 83, it has become public that allegations of sexual harassment, abuse and misconduct continue to be mishandled and minimized by the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives and his staff and attorneys; and

WHEREAS, Since the adoption of House Joint Resolution 83, there has been a lack of transparency from the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives and his staff and attorneys and an apparent effort to use propaganda to divert attention from very serious and troubling allegations of sexual harassment, abuse, and misconduct; and

WHEREAS, Since the adoption of House Joint Resolution 83, it has become clear that the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives and his staff and attorneys should not be in charge of investigating allegations of sexual harassment, abuse, and misconduct; and

WHEREAS, Calls have been made for an independent investigation into allegations of sexual harassment, abuse, and misconduct in Illinois State government and political campaign organizations, yet no action has been taken on these calls, and no process is in place to allow for a truly independent investigation; and

WHEREAS, Since the adoption of House Joint Resolution 83, it has become clear that an independent special counsel who is in no way controlled by the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, his staff, his attorneys, or anyone else under the direct control of an Illinois government official is the only way for a truly independent investigation to take place; and

WHEREAS, The time has come for every legislator in the Illinois House of Representatives to stand up for Illinois citizens and demand the immediate appointment of an independent special counsel to investigate and, where necessary, litigate and prosecute, allegations of sexual harassment, abuse, and misconduct; and

WHEREAS, Time is of the essence; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE ONE HUNDREDTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that those supporting this resolution are committed to saying Time's Up and are urging the immediate enactment of whatever legislation is necessary to allow for the appointment of an independent special counsel who is in no way controlled by the Speaker of the Illinois House of Representatives, his staff, his attorneys, or anyone else under the direct control of an Illinois government official, as this is the only way for a truly independent investigation to take place; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the independent special counsel shall have the authority to issue subpoenas, command testimony under oath, open a statewide grand jury, and investigate and, where necessary, litigate and prosecute, allegations of sexual harassment, abuse, and misconduct; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be presented to every member of the General Assembly.