By Illinois Radio Network

SPRINGFIELD – A fellow Chicago Democrat, and others, have demanded House Speaker Michael Madigan explain secret payments to a disgraced former political captain or give up his position at the helm of Illinois’ Democratic Party.

State Sen. Iris Martinez, D-Chicago, said the speaker’s “cronies” paid off Kevin Quinn after he was fired following allegations of sexual harassment by a campaign worker while the Speaker publicly promised to take charge of the issue of harassment within the party.

“Women are the foundation of the Democrat Party. Speaker Madigan doesn’t get this simple fact,” Martinez said. “I urge my colleagues in the party and the legislature to join my demand for answers. Speaker Madigan must state what he knew, and when he knew it.”

She said Madigan’s promises to do better were merely “political cover.”

Her demand came after the Chicago Tribune reported that long-time Madigan friend Michael McClain, a former state lawmaker-turned lobbyist for powerful entities such as ComEd, had arranged payments to Quinn in the days after he was expelled from his positions within the state’s Democratic Party and public payrolls after he was accused of harassing former campaign worker Alaina Hampton. The Tribune obtained emails from McClain to others who sent a total of $30,000 in checks to Quinn in exchange for contract work that required little or no effort. In the emails, McClain told the lobbyists writing the checks and Quinn that the matter was confidential.

Madigan has denied any wrongdoing and knowledge of the payments.

Martinez has clashed with Madigan before, running against his preferred candidate for a position in Chicago and objecting to a promise to challenge an appointment to fill state Rep. Luis Arroyo’s seat after he resigned amid a bribery investigation.

Madigan’s office declined to comment on Martinez’s letter.

The speaker sponsored legislation that changed ethics requirements regarding harassment in the workplace, but Madigan has been criticized for not going far enough to remove protections for harassers that have a chilling effect on victims coming forward.

A day before Martinez’ call for more information, state Rep. Margo McDermed publicly chastised Madigan for allowing such payments to occur on his watch.

“This confirms that the Speaker’s response to the harassment of his employees was nothing more than window dressing while he continued to put political victories and fundraising ahead of his staff and the people of Illinois,” she said. “As a female legislator, I find this insulting and hope my Democrat colleagues start to confront this disgraceful behavior in their caucus.”

State Rep. Kelly Cassidy, a Chicago Democrat who had raised questions about retaliation herself from Madigan’s political apparatus, called news of the payments “frustrating” in a Chicago Tribune report.

Cassidy was a voice of support for Hampton before many others in her party were.

News broke over the holiday weekend that Hampton had settled a lawsuit against four of Madigan’s political organizations for $275,000.

Illinois Radio Network can be reached at [email protected].