By WMBD & WCIA TV
SPRINGFIELD The mystery surrounding Representative Harry Benton has been a perplexing one.
In February, House Speaker Chris Welch removed Benton (D-Plainfield) from all committees and caucus activities but he wouldn’t say why.
It wasn’t until months later, when a Legislative Inspector General report outlined outrageous and unethical behavior, that Welch threatened Benton with expulsion. Even with his threat, Welch wouldn’t say what Benton did, but new statements from the victims to the Chicago Tribune might indicate why.
Two of Benton’s victims are sharing their stories for the first time — one from 2023, the other from February of this year. WCIA has heard these stories from Springfield sources since then.
Five months ago, WCIA requested records, including Benton’s email and texts related to any state-issued email or electronic device in his possession. That Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request was denied, and we were told the information constituted “personal correspondence” and was thus exempt from FOIA requests.
The victims, though, are telling a much different story. They’re also concerned with how the Speaker of the House handled it all.
“The reporting today just really kind of gives us more questions about what’s been going on, especially how long did Speaker Welch know about it?” said House Minority Leader Tony McCombie.
According to statements made by the victims — who were not named in the Tribune’s article –Welch first became aware of Benton’s problems in 2023 when a 22-year-old staffer reported harassment, much of which was sexual in nature, to Welch’s office.
But the Chicago Tribune’s investigation found Welch didn’t even interview Benton about the harassment until three months after it was reported, and ultimately chose not to discipline him. Welch would go on to financially support Benton in his 2024 re-election campaign. It wasn’t until a second victim reported Benton in February of this year that Welch took action.
“He invested millions of dollars to get him re-elected, even after knowing about this conduct to put him back into place. So he probably… did he not want that to come out? Obviously not,” said McCombie
Another issue brought to light in that report: some of Welch’s own behavior.
The victim from 2023 showed the Chicago Tribune comments Welch had made on her personal Instagram on posts featuring her in different outfits. Those included emojis of a face with hearts for eyes, and one of a face drooling. It’s something the victim said made her uncomfortable.
When asked if the report on Benton’s behavior would ever be made public, Welch and Governor JB Pritzker responded that they didn’t believe the General Assembly could publicize the report.
McCombie suspects Welch’s involvement in the case played a role in that decision.
“Maybe that’s another reason things weren’t brought to light, because you don’t want to be have a light shine on you,” said McCombie.
WCIA reached out to Welch’s office for comment both in February and again on Friday. We have not received a response. In comments to the Tribune, Welch’s office maintains he followed the proper procedures when handling the Benton accusations.
WCIA also asked the Governor’s office for comment on the Tribune’s report. In a statement, a spokesperson said Pritzker “believes it is in the best interest of the public to have the Benton report released.”
WMBD TV first reported this story. You can read the original story online at CIProud.com.
