A press release from State Rep. David McSweeney:

McSweeney Bill Prohibiting State-Funded Sexual Harassment Payoffs Now Law

Springfield, IL –Taxpayers in Illinois can now rest easy knowing state money will not be used to protect state legislators from sexual harassment allegations.

HB 4243, introduced by State Rep. David McSweeney (R-Barrington Hills), was signed into law Friday and prohibits the use of state funds to pay for silence or inaction related to an allegation or investigation of sexual harassment against a member of the General Assembly.

This includes the district office allowances given to members to use largely at their discretion.

The legislation was prompted by news reports over the past year that revealed the existence of a federal fund financed by U.S. taxpayers that was used by Congressmen for payments to persons making allegations of harassment against members of Congress and staff.

David McSweeney

“Under no circumstances should taxpayer funds be used to silence sexual harassment cases involving elected officials,” McSweeney said.

“This is an important and proactive step given the troubling culture of sexual harassment in Springfield. Illinois taxpayers will not have their hard-earned money spent on covering up incidents of harassment and abuse.”

HB 4243, now a law, passed both the House and Senate unanimously. It was sponsored in the Senate by Senator Tom Cullerton (D-Villa Park). It is effective immediately.