Madigan gets another term as Illinois Democratic chairman despite sexual harassment complaints on [View all]

Madigan gets another term as Illinois Democratic chairman despite sexual harassment complaints on his watch

House Speaker Michael Madigan was easily re-elected chairman of the Democratic Party of Illinois on Monday, publicly reasserting his control over a vast political operation after a tumultuous few months in which some within his own party had called for his resignation.

As members of the party’s central committee lauded Madigan for his ability to win elections and push back against Republican Gov. Bruce Rauner’s policies, they also nodded to challenges within. That includes allegations of sexual harassment and abusive behavior that felled two of Madigan’s top campaign operatives, prompting calls for the speaker to step down as party chairman amid questions about how complaints were handled.

U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly of Matteson said she was surprised when Madigan asked if she would be among those who nominated him for the chairmanship at an afternoon meeting at a Springfield hotel. But Kelly said she was committed to doing all she could to ensure Democrats win in November, saying her time in Washington has proved the importance of being in the majority.

“So I would like to second your nomination, but I will say in seconding your nomination it’s not a secret that change needs to happen, and we need to be more transparent as an organization,” Kelly said. “We need to be more inclusive as an organization, and we need to make sure that we are respecting every man and woman that has anything to do with this organization, in and out.”

Read more: http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/local/politics/ct-met-michael-madigan-democratic-party-election-20180423-story.html