Harry Benton
Harry Benton | |
|---|---|
| Member of the Illinois House of Representatives from the 97th district | |
| In office January 11, 2023 – July 3, 2026 | |
| Preceded by | Mark Batinick |
| Succeeded by | Jessica Dixon Heitman |
| Personal details | |
| Party | Democratic |
Harry Benton (born 1987 or 1988) is an American politician who served as a member of the Illinois House of Representatives for the 97th district from 2023 until his resignation in 2026.[1]
By profession, Benton is a union ironworker.[2] Benton was a Plainfield village trustee and the unsuccessful Democratic nominee in the same district in 2020.[3]
In February 2026, he was removed from the Democratic caucus and all committees by Speaker Chris Welch.[4] He resigned in July 2026 following an ethics investigation, which found that he had engaged in a "pattern and practice of inappropriate sexual conduct" dating back to 2023, shortly after he had been seated.[5][1] It later became known that Welch had been aware of sexual harassment allegations against Benton as early as early as April 2023.[5][6]
References
[edit]- 1 2 Gorner, Jeremy (July 3, 2026). "Illinois Rep. Harry Benton resigns after investigation into conduct Speaker Welch called 'outrageous'". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved July 4, 2026.
- ↑ "Meet the Freshmen: Rep. Harry Benton". The Illinoize. February 7, 2023. Retrieved February 2, 2024.
- ↑ "Harry Benton endorsed for Illinois House District 97". Daily Herald. October 21, 2022. Retrieved November 27, 2023.
- ↑ Moore, Brenden. "State Rep. Harry Benton booted from House Democratic caucus". Capitol News Illinois. Retrieved February 25, 2026.
- 1 2 Moore, Brenden; Nowicki, Jerry (July 31, 2026). "Report Finds 'Pattern and Practice' of Sexual Harassment by Ex-Rep. Harry Benton". WTTW News. Retrieved October 3, 2026.
- ↑ "Illinois House Speaker Welch's office knew of harassment claims against disgraced state Rep. Benton years ago". Chicago Tribune. July 17, 2026. Retrieved October 3, 2026.
External links
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- Living people
- Members of the Illinois House of Representatives
- Democratic Party members of the Illinois House of Representatives
- People from Plainfield, Illinois
- American ironmasters
- Trade unionists from Illinois
- 21st-century members of the Illinois General Assembly
- Democratic Party member of the Illinois House of Representatives stubs