Another Madigan aide removed amid allegations

A second political operative of Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan has been removed after allegations of "inappropriate behavior" were leveled against him, according to published reports.

Shaw Decremer is the second Madigan operative to be dismissed within a week, NBC reported Monday evening.

Decremer, a lobbyist, was removed last week from four Democratic Illinois House campaigns, according to the political website Capitol Fax.

A Madigan spokesman, though, said only that Decremer currently has "no assignments or role in any campaign committee."

Sources said Madigan sent a letter to Democratic caucus members last Friday that announced his political organization has retained an independent counsel to receive and investigate harassment allegations.

In a separate statement issued Monday evening, Madigan said Decremer - who was not referred to by name - "will no longer be involved with any activities of my political committees."

For the complete story, visit chicago.suntimes.com.