Rauner blames Madigan for creating sexual harassment culture

Posted on August 1, 2018

Gov. Rauner blames House Speaker Mike Madigan for creating a culture of sexual harassment in Springfield. Rauner’s comments came after a GOP state representative resigned Wednesday for allegedly using photos of a naked ex-girlfriend to trick men into interacting with him online. (WJBC File Photo)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – While members of both parties can be accused of sexual harassment, Gov. Bruce Rauner says it’s House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) who created and enabled that culture.

State Rep. Nick Sauer (R-Lake Barrington) has resigned after being accused of using photos of a naked ex-girlfriend to trick men into interacting with him online. A reporter asked Rauner about it all.

“That culture has to be brought out and exposed, and those responsible should be removed from office,” Rauner said, after first saying he’s glad to learn Sauer was resigning.

But isn’t the culture of harassment bi-partisan?

“The legislature clearly has been existing in a culture of harassment, and that culture is created by Mike Madigan,” Rauner responded.

Rauner had appointed Sauer, a fellow Republican, to the state tollway board.

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