Sen. Silverstein Resigns From Chair Amid Sexual Harassment Claims

CHICAGO, IL — Illinois Sen. Ira Silverstein resigned from the Senate Democratic leadership team Wednesday amid harassment allegations against him, the Senate president announced. Illinois Senate President John Cullerton also announced that a sexual harassment awareness training seminar has been scheduled next week.

During a House Personnel and Pensions Committee hearing Tuesday, an Illinois lobbyist said Silverstein used "tactics" and "mind games" to invade her privacy and personal space. Denise Rotheimer, a candidate for the Illinois House in Grayslake, said Silverstein would frequently comment on her appearance and contact her late at night.

"I lost 20 pounds, my hair fell out. I was so scared that I would have to admit myself to a hospital because I went down to 109 pounds," Rotheimer said during the hearing. "I had no control in the situation. He had so much power over me and the mind games he played, the tactics he played and he knew this is my heart, what he was able to do and invade my privacy, my space, the offenses that I received."

Rotheimer said she has 400 pages of Facebook messages from Silverstein, which she submitted as evidence.

"He would Facebook me at midnight, call me at midnight. I mean you have no idea the torment. I went to my state's attorney in April when I had that crisis asking him to take my place on the bill because I couldn't take it anymore."

Rotheimer said she filed a complaint to the Senate in 2016, but there was "no real response."

Rotheimer is the founder of Mothers on a Mission to Stop Violence and author of "Jasmine's Law", which ramped up penalties for violent sex offenders. She became involved in politics after her daughter, Jasmine Jimenez, was raped at age 11.

Silverstein has denied the accusations but did apologize for making Rotheimer uncomfortable.

Since 1999, Silverstein, currently the chair of the Democrats' caucus, has represented the 8th District on Chicago's North Side, which includes parts of Skokie, Lincolnwood, Morton Grove, Niles and Glenview.

An open letter citing rampant sexual harassment in Illinois politics began circulating last week and gathered more than 160 signatures.

"Every industry has its own version of the casting couch," the letter stated. "Ask any woman who has lobbied the halls of the Capitol, staffed Council Chambers, or slogged through brutal hours on the campaign trail. Misogyny is alive and well in this industry."

Sexual harassment allegations have piled up across the United States in many industries and all levels of government as many take a stand in the #MeToo campaign. The movement began after movie mogul Harvey Weinstein was fired amid a firestorm of sexual harassment allegations.

The campaign has empowered many people to come forward with their own stories. Joliet native Anthony Rapp, a graduate of Joliet West High School, said fellow actor Kevin Spacey made sexual advances toward him when Rapp was only 14 years old. On Sunday night, Spacey issued a statement apologizing to Rapp.

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