South Central Reporter

Greed, more than justice, may be behind the resignations of those accused of sexual harassment in the halls of the state legislature in Springfield, the Republican candidate for Illinois' 107th State House District said during a recent interview.

"One could argue that the reason virtually everyone accused of sexual harassment and abuse in Springfield has resigned is to protect their pensions," farmer and businessman Blaine Wilhour of Beecher City said during a South Central Reporter email interview. "By resigning, they appear to be hoping to avoid any kind of prosecution and ultimately they will be able to avoid the possibility of losing their benefits in retirement.

Which points to the need for reform on so many levels of state government, including pension reform, Wilhour said. 

Rep. Michael Madigan

"What we are witnessing is just another example of why we need meaningful pension reforms," he said. "Taxpayers deserve some protections from individuals looking to game the system."

Wilhour, who decisively won during the Republican primary against his opponent Laura Meyers of Greenville, is running for the 107th State House District seat against Effingham resident David Seiler, who was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Both want to represent the district currently represented by Rep. John Cavaletto (R-Salem), who announced last fall that he will not seek a sixth term in Springfield.

Illinois' 107th State House District encompasses Bond, Fayette and Marion counties, and parts of Clinton and Effingham counties.

Wilhour, an Illinois Army National Guard veteran, was a Fayette County board member from 2006 to 2010 and previously was a Fayette County precinct committeeman.

His comments to the South Central Reporter came on the heels of more women coming forward with allegations of sexual harassment in the state's general assembly and as at least two of the accused reportedly have been forced to resign by powerful state House Speaker Michael Madigan (D-Chicago).

Madigan Chief of Staff Tim Mapes was forced to resign after one of Madigan's staffers accused him of "multiple instances of bullying and harassment." Madigan also reportedly forced out another of his top aides, Kevin Quinn, after he was implicated in a sexual harassment texting scandal.  

Mapes' and Quinn's departures are among the latest developments in the sexual harassment scandal in Springfield that likely cost state Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) to lose his re-election bid during the March primaries after sexual harassment allegations emerged against him.

In another recent development, Deputy Democratic Majority Leader Lou Lang resigned as deputy Illinois House majority leader amid harassment and retaliation allegations.

In February, Madigan took responsibility for not doing enough in the sexual harassment scandal that first erupted in Springfield last fall. 

"I would never condone, sweep under the rug or refuse to take any step to ensure we did not eradicate any behavior of this kind," Madigan said at the time.

"I understand the ‘knock it off’ mentality is not enough, and we must, and will, do better moving forward. We must do better. We will do better."

While those words are being snagged up for headlines and news stories, Wilhour said it really still comes down to the money. 

"They [state lawmakers and their aides] seem to be more concerned with protecting their pensions then they are with protecting victims," he said.

"We are in a mess financially because for too long too many in Springfield have put their own needs ahead of the needs of taxpayers. Time and time again we see games being played at the expense of taxpayers -- games such as pension spikes right before people retire in an effort to increase their pension benefit and other games."

Wilhour called for a change in "the culture" endemic in Springfield. 

"We need to demand more accountability and we need to put taxpayers ahead of political insiders looking to cash in at taxpayers' expense," he said.

As for those accused of sexual harassment, their resignation and defeat in the polls should not be the end of it, Wilhour said. 

"The people accused of harassment and abuse may be innocent," he said. "Just because an accusation is made does not automatically mean it is true. But if these individuals are guilty, then they should face serious consequences. It hardly seems fair to allow guilty people off the hook without any worry about how their actions will lead to loss of pension benefits and other serious consequences."

Lawmakers who turned a blind eye toward the alleged behavior also should be held accountable, Wilhour said. 

"The people writing laws about sexual harassment and abuse should be held to a higher standard," he said.