Harry Benton No Longer Welcome At House Democratic Caucus Meetings: Reports

PLAINFIELD, IL — State Rep. Harry Benton (D-Plainfield) was removed from the House Democratic caucus and stripped of his committee assignments, according to multiple reports.

House Speaker Emanuel Welch (D-Hillside) removed Benton from all eight of his committee assignments, WJOL reported. He has served in the Illinois House of Representatives since 2023.

Benton, 38, was removed over allegations of sexual harassment, according to a report from The Illinoize. An official reason has not been given.

Welch's office said the speaker had no comment about Benton's removal. Benton's spokesperson forwarded Patch's request for comment to Welch's office.

It's not the first time Welch has removed members during his tenure. Rep. Mary Flowers (D-Chicago) was stripped of her leadership role for alleged poor treatment of staff, and Rep. Fred Crespo (D-Hoffman Estates) was removed for his involvement in a budget plan independent of and unauthorized by the House Democratic caucus, according to a report from Capitol News Illinois.

Up for reelection for the third time, Benton is running unopposed in the Democratic primary to represent District 97. In November's election, he will again face Republican Gabby Shanahan, whom he beat in 2022 by 2,335 votes.

A union ironworker, Benton also previously served as a Village of Plainfield trustee beginning in 2019, but did not seek reelection in 2023.