Suburban lawmakers join 'me too' movement in legislatures

The response to sexual harassment allegations against film producer Harvey Weinstein has spread to Illinois' and other statehouses nationwide, with hundreds of lawmakers, lobbyists and consultants coming forward to say the problem is pervasive in the halls of political power.

Illinois became the latest to join the chorus, as signatures piled up Tuesday on an open letter describing harassment and intimidation for women trying to negotiate legislation and work on campaigns. And some lawmakers from the suburbs say they are no exception.

“Every industry has its own version of the casting couch,” read the letter circulating in Illinois, which by Tuesday had more than 130 signatures. “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.”

State Rep. Carol Sente, a Vernon Hills Democrat, said she's experienced sexual harassment in Springfield. Last week, she reposted on her public Facebook page “#MeToo” - the hashtag that's gone viral on social media, posted by those who say they've been sexually assaulted or harassed.

Sente described Springfield as a “college” in some ways, since legislators are away from home, and are often attending dinners and social events that go late into the evenings - many of which she says she tries to avoid. When she's in town she says she also avoids staying at certain hotels or going to bars where she's been harassed.

“When I have experienced some unwanted sexual advances or something I didn't feel was wanted - whether from someone above me or equal to me, or who could take something away from me - I try to be firm and shut it down immediately,” Sente said.

Rep. Michelle Mussman, a Schaumburg Democrat, said she has heard of instances of sexual harassment around the state Capitol affecting “colleagues and staffers.”

“As the (issue) becomes more public, people are starting to open up a little bit more, whereas before, they kept those stories to themselves,” Mussman said. “Women in particular always knew it was an issue. As often as we could, we attempted to look out for each other.”

“But it's not an easy thing to talk about.”

Sen. Laura Murphy, a Des Plaines Democrat, said in her two years in Springfield, she hasn't witnessed or experienced sexual harassment herself. But she said she experienced it in the workplace during her career in the private sector that started in the 1980s.

“Sexual harassment no matter where is wrong,” Murphy said. “The more people willing to come forward and shine a light on it is the only way to address the problem.”

Murphy said she supports efforts to mandate sexual harassment training for those at the state Capitol.

Rep. Stephanie Kifowit of Oswego said although she hasn't dealt with blatant harassment, she has recently found herself reflecting on past experiences and wondering if she handled them with the attention they deserved.

“Luckily I haven't been in a situation, but if I was I wouldn't have known who to go to,” Kifowit said. “I've been here five years and I wouldn't know who to go to. Today we talked about it as a caucus and the protocols were completely outlined on how to file a complaint.”

Tuesday's discussion was the first time Kifowit can recall harassment protocol being directly addressed in a group setting, she said.

“We have to strive to create a new normal. So that discussions like this don't happen in the future,” Kifowit said.

While political sex scandals aren't new, the Weinstein allegations and ensuing #MeToo social media movement have put an intense spotlight on the issue in politics. More women are coming forward with stories, some are naming names, and states are making fresh promises of investigations and of legislation.

State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz, an Illinois Democrat, filed a resolution Tuesday “to change the culture that breeds such behavior.” Another proposal was in the works to require legislators, lobbyists and staff to undergo sexual harassment training. Top leaders said they also would require policies for lobbyists.

In California this week, the Senate hired a law firm to investigate after women described a culture of sexual intimidation.

“I think that when there's strengths in numbers and when more people speak out, that gives more strength to people to speak out,” Kifowit said. “I think it started with that. It gained momentum with the California legislature and we're adding to the momentum.”

Lawmakers in Oregon and Rhode Island have spoken up to accuse male colleagues of inappropriate touching or suggesting that sexual favors be a condition for advancing bills.

Most states have formal written policies for legislative employees on sexual harassment, according to a July report from the National Conference of State Legislatures. But the rules are less clear for others who work at state capitols, including lobbyists and consultants. Also, the culture of statehouses may be fueling the problem.

Several risk factors for sexual harassment identified by the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission are deep-seated at state capitols: Lack of diversity, power disparities, tolerating or encouraging alcohol consumption, and many young staffers.

Illinois political fundraiser Katelynd Duncan, who helped craft the Illinois letter - signed “The Women Who Make Illinois Run” and accompanied by a private Facebook group - said she was fired from a political campaign in her 20s for reporting inappropriate behavior.

“Very early on in my career, I was taught if I speak up, there'll be negative repercussions,” she said. “I had to modify my behaviors to continue doing my job.”

In California, a similar letter circulated last week with signers that included lawmakers, lobbyists, political consultants and legislative staff members. The list has turned into an organized campaign called “We Said Enough.” The group wants to launch a nonprofit and hold forums. In response, the Senate hired an outside law firm on Monday to investigate the claims.

“I did not know it was as serious or as a big a problem as it was since I saw the letter,” said Sen. Connie Leyva, a leader of the Legislative Women's Caucus. “Enough is enough. I can't believe it's 2017 and this is still happening.”

Elsewhere, specific allegations surfaced.

A female state senator in Oregon accused a male colleague of inappropriate touching, and his committee assignments were removed as a punishment. In Rhode Island, Democratic Rep. Teresa Tanzi alleged she was told by a more senior lawmaker that sexual favors would allow her bills to go further.

Her revelation prompted an outcry, and state police and the attorney general's office announced they'd launch an inquiry.

“The best outcome for me right now is to look ahead and move forward and to continue to make it so that the next generation of children don't have to endure the same issues that we're facing today,” Tanzi said.

Some states pledged to boost training.

But some were skeptical of the new efforts.

In California, some raised questions about a firm hired by Senate leadership and are calling for an investigator not chosen by lawmakers, as well as the creation of third-party channels for women and men to bring forward harassment complaints. Complaints brought forward now are handled through Senate and Assembly committees, and many women said they don't report inappropriate behavior for fear it won't be taken seriously or their jobs will be in jeopardy.

Others called for more women in politics, with advocates saying the dearth of women officeholders has consequences.

Though women are more than half of the American population, they account for just a fifth of all U.S. representatives and senators, and one in four state lawmakers, according to data collected by the Center for Women in Politics at Rutgers University.

In Tennessee, Clarksville Mayor Kim McMillan, who was the first female House majority leader in state history, said it took 10 years for her to pass legislation that would make the penalty for spousal rape equal with that of non-spousal rape. Some of her male colleagues didn't believe it was a crime.

She said more women at all levels of government would make it clear that certain behaviors, like sexual harassment, are unacceptable.

“You need people at the table who can explain to them what the effect of their words are,” she said. “If there are no women to explain why that is sexist or why they can't say that, I don't know if you can ever get people to understand that their words really do matter and their actions really do matter.”

Daily Herald staff writer Christopher Placek and correspondent Katie Smith contributed to this report.