SPRINGFIELD, Ill. () — Illinois House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch is conceding that he fell short in his response to sexual harassment allegations involving former state Rep. Harry Benton, saying more should have been done to safeguard women and describing the matter as a broader “system failure” in need of serious change.
His remarks follow the release of a report outlining allegations about Benton’s conduct and the chain of events that ultimately ended with his resignation. Speaking with ABC7, Welch struck a more remorseful note than he had in earlier statements, even as scrutiny grows over his leadership and whether he should continue serving as Speaker.
Welch said he was first made aware in 2023 of sexual harassment claims brought forward by a young woman who had worked for Benton.
“I was appalled by it. I was appalled by it,” Welch said when asked how he reacted at the time. “But what’s really important here is that we put first and foremost the survivor’s wishes.”
According to Welch, the woman chose not to pursue a formal complaint, while Benton “vehemently denied” the accusations. Welch said that, under those circumstances, Benton was owed due process, and no disciplinary action was taken then.
The interview also turned to the political backing Benton received after the allegations had surfaced.
“But was he entitled to 1.4 million dollars of support from you to get reelected?” ABC7 asked.
Welch answered that, based on what he knew then, his team was supporting an incumbent lawmaker who still had allies behind his campaign. “Would I do that today, knowing what I know now? Of course not. Hindsight is 20/20,” he said, adding that he understands why the decision has drawn criticism. “I think that’s a valid concern of many,” Welch said. “With the information before me at the time, I literally was leaning on a member being entitled to due process.”
Welch said that in hindsight he would have acted differently.
Democratic political strategist Alaina Hampton, who raised sexual harassment concerns in former Speaker Mike Madigan’s political organization eight years ago, said Welch’s actions sent a damaging message.
“I think what it says to victims of sexual harassment is that making sure a Democratic legislator is reelected is more important than them,” she said.
Hampton, who wrote a Chicago Tribune op-ed calling for Welch to resign or be replaced, questioned his ability to continue leading the House.
“On this specific issue? I would say zero,” she said. “But I also felt like he shouldn’t have been elevated to this role from the start.”
Welch also addressed criticism over his past social media activity, apologizing for liking and posting heart emojis on images of women in swimsuits on his professional Instagram page. He said the posts were mostly from 2018 and 2019. “At the end of the day, I’m going to continue to own my own behavior. I’ve already said that I own it. I’m going to change that behavior. I’ve already changed that behavior,” he said.
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On Tuesday, Welch sent a memo to Democratic caucus members announcing the creation of a special working group to examine workplace culture in Springfield and recommend changes in response to issues highlighted by the Benton case. “Members have raised issues with both bullying, hostile work environment, and so I believe a working group like this could dig deeply into a lot of these issues,” he said.
Welch said he hopes the effort will help improve the culture in the Capitol. With some public calls for his resignation mounting, he said his future depends on House members who will vote on the next Speaker in December.
“I serve at the pleasure of the caucus,” he said. “It has truly been the honor of a lifetime to serve in this role that I never had on my bingo card.”
Welch told members of the Democratic caucus last night, after arranging interviews with reporters, that he is forming a workplace culture and accountability working group to recommend changes aimed at addressing problems exposed by the Benton case. Hampton said that despite reforms enacted after Welch became Speaker, “it’s clear women are not any safer.”
