Carbondale Reporter

Republican state House candidate Dan Caulkins is taking a wait-and-see attitude in voicing his full assessment of a new bill signed into law by Gov. Bruce Rauner that allows top watchdog groups to investigate sexual harassment complaints without having to get approval from the Legislative Ethics Commission.

“I think we’ll know if this is something that’s working when investigations start to happen and we see if the panel really has the kind of full power they will need,” Caulkins told the Chambana Sun. “Other cases are sure to follow, so we will know relatively soon. I have high hopes that this can be a big step forward; but until we actually see [it] in the real world, you just don’t know.”

Rauner’s move to ink the new legislation comes as lawmakers in Springfield are being dogged by a sexual harassment scandal that has ensnared at least four close associates of powerful House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) in recent months.   

Rep. Lou Lang

Tim Mapes, Madigan’s longtime chief of staff, has been hit with allegations of harassment. Kevin Quinn, a key operative in Madigan's political empire, and Sen. Ira Silverstein were forced to relinquish at least part of their responsibilities after being accused of harassment.

Rep. Lou Lang (D-Skokie), Madigan’s No. 2 guy in Springfield, also faces similar allegations.

Meanwhile, Rauner has hailed the new law as “a victory for the heroic women who have stepped forward to take on the culture of fear, abuse and retaliation that permeates too much of state government.”

Caulkins, running against Democrat Jennifer McMillin for the seat being vacated by Rep. Bill Mitchell (R-Forsyth) in the 101st District, strongly agrees.

“I think you have to applaud any attempt to fix this terrible situation,” he added. “The proof is in the results, but I would not overly criticize any attempt to make this right. Right now, we know that women are being harassed and people are being bullied and that has to change.”

The new law also creates a four-person committee composed of former judges and prosecutors that will search for a full-time inspector general to replace Julie Porter who was temporarily installed in the post roughly a year ago. 

The measure also allows the inspector general to share information with a victim and other people who are involved in a complaint, unlike the policy that was in place when Porter took over.

The Legislative Ethics Commission is a panel of lawmakers appointed by House and Senate leaders from both parties.