Plainfield, Ill. and Wheatland Township (ECWd) –
Illinois State Representative Harry Benton resigned from office on July 3, 2026, after an investigation by the Legislative Inspector General found what House Speaker Chris Welch described as “clear patterns of conduct” that were “outrageous, unethical, and unbecoming of a member of the Illinois House of Representatives.”
The investigation stemmed from sexual harassment allegations, and those findings were serious enough that Benton was removed from all committees and the Democratic Caucus and was told to resign or face expulsion from the Illinois House.
Benton also serves as the Wheatland Township Highway Commissioner. Those same patterns of conduct should apply to his double-dipping office as Wheatland Township Highway Commissioner. If the “founded” investigation made him unfit to serve as a State Representative, he should also be unfit to serve in any other elected position he currently holds.
While the Inspector General’s report is currently unreleased, and we have serious doubts it will ever see the light of day, we believe the people should have a right to the unredacted report, to include the specific complaints lodged against him.
It would not only push him out of every office he currently holds, but it would also serve as a deterrent to others similarly situated.
Speaker Welch should immediately release the complaints and the completed investigation.
Additionally, a proper criminal investigation should take place.
2 Responses
Why would the report not be released? And who decides ?
House Speaker decides.