PLAINFIELD, IL — Nearly six months after he was stripped of his committee assignments, and a day after Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch pressured him to step down, Plainfield-area State Rep. Harry Benton has resigned.
On Friday, Welch's office said the House was "in receipt of Representative Harry Benton’s letter of resignation, effective today at 4:59 p.m.."
In February, Benton (D-Plainfield) was removed from the House Democratic caucus and all eight of his committee assignments amid undisclosed allegations of misconduct.
For months, the former Plainfield village trustee remained in office, despite calls for his resignation, and did not issue any statements on the allegations.
On Thursday, Welch said investigations into allegations of misconduct had been completed, and "the Legislative Inspector General's findings reveal clear patterns of conduct by Representative Benton that are outrageous, unethical, and unbecoming of a member of the Illinois House of Representatives."
Welch (D-Hillside) issued a call for Benton to resign, which was echoed by Republican candidate Gabby Shanahan, who ran unsuccessfully against him in 2022 and was poised to face off against him in November.
On Friday, Welch reacted to Benton's resignation.
"I am grateful to those who came forward and trusted our office to listen, support them, and ensure their concerns were handled appropriately," he said.
State Sen. Meg Loughran Cappel (D-Shorewood) also issued a statement saying that Benton's "decision to resign is the right one for the district and the constituents he was elected to serve."
She added, "Public service requires trust, integrity and accountability, and this is an important step toward allowing the community to move forward. I look forward to reviewing the findings of the investigation when they become available so that those impacted can get the answers, support and peace they deserve. I commend those who came forward, and I remain committed to ensuring every person feels heard, respected and safe."
Shanahan also reacted, saying, "The need for honesty, integrity, and transparency did not begin with Harry Benton, and it does not end with his resignation. For too long, too many politicians have put themselves ahead of the people. That is why so many people have lost trust in government. For 126 days, families here were left without the representation they deserved. Questions went unanswered. Transparency was missing. And the political class stayed silent."
The resignation letter, obtained by Patch, notes that Benton is withdrawing his name as the Democratic nominee for the 97th District race in the November election.
It continues, "This matter has placed tremendous strain on my family since it began in late February. As we move forward into the next chapter of our lives, I respectfully ask that our privacy be honored.
"Serving the people of the 97th House District since January 2023 has been one of the greatest privileges of my life. I am grateful to my colleagues for the opportunity to work alongside them on behalf of the people of Illinois, and I wish each of you continued success as you carry forward the important work of this General Assembly.
"Finally, I extend my sincere thanks to the constituents of the 97th House District for placing their trust in me and electing me to serve as their representative. I am deeply grateful for that confidence."
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