Welch's new working group to address Springfield harassment doesn't go far enough, Rep. Kelly Cassidy says
<p>A new initiative announced Wednesday by embattled Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch does little more than pay “lip service” to addressing Springfield’s persistent culture of sexual harassment, according to an influential Chicago Democrat in Welch’s caucus.</p><p>During an apology tour with local media outlets in the wake of his office’s <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/springfield/2026/07/31/harry-benton-report-legislative-inspector-general-speaker-chris-welch-sexual-harassment" target="_blank" ><u>delayed response</u></a> to allegations of sexual harassment by disgraced ex-state-Rep. Harry Benton, Welch said a new House Culture and Accountability working group will soon begin developing systemic changes.</p><p>But state Rep.
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<p>A new initiative announced Wednesday by embattled Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch does little more than pay “lip service” to addressing Springfield’s persistent culture of sexual harassment, according to an influential Chicago Democrat in Welch’s caucus.</p><p>During an apology tour with local media outlets in the wake of his office’s <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/springfield/2026/07/31/harry-benton-report-legislative-inspector-general-speaker-chris-welch-sexual-harassment" target="_blank" ><u>delayed response</u></a> to allegations of sexual harassment by disgraced ex-state-Rep. Harry Benton, Welch said a new House Culture and Accountability working group will soon begin developing systemic changes.</p><p>But state Rep. Kelly Cassidy — who didn’t support Welch’s 2021 ascent as speaker over concerns about <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/the-watchdogs/2026/07/28/illinois-house-speaker-emanuel-chris-welch-harry-benton-michael-j-madigan-sexual-harassment-inquiry" target="_blank" ><u>past allegations against Welch</u></a> — said she didn’t have confidence the group would be empowered to make a difference.</p><p>In a statement, Cassidy said she “asked a series of questions to ensure that the group would offer more than lip service or a PR stunt. My questions were not answered.”</p><p>“I believe a working group on this topic could be necessary and important,” Cassidy said.
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- <p>A new initiative announced Wednesday by embattled Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch does little more than pay “lip service” to addressing Springfield’s persistent culture of sexual harassment, according to an influential Chicago Democrat in Welch’s caucus.</p><p>During an apology tour with local media outlets in the wake of his office’s <a class="Link" href="https://chicago.suntimes.com/springfield/2026/07/31/harry-benton-report-legislative-inspector-general-speaker-chris-welch-sexual-harassment" target="_blank" ><u>delayed response</u></a> to allegations of sexual harassment by disgraced ex-state-Rep. Harry Benton, Welch said a new House Culture and Accountability working group will soon begin developing systemic changes.</p><p>But state Rep.
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Welch's new working group to address Springfield harassment doesn't go far enough, Rep. Kelly Cassidy says
Sources1TypeCoverageChicago Sun-Times