Speaker Madigan Dismisses Long-Time Consultant On Harassment Charge
In an undated photo, Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan is interviewed by Amanda Vinicky and WBBM's Craig Dellimore. Steve Brown/House Speaker Madigan's Office
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan has dismissed a long-time political consultant after an investigation found he sent inappropriate text messages to a colleague. Madigan identified the consultant as Kevin Quinn in a statement Monday.
Madigan attorney Heather Wier Vaught says the female colleague is a political consultant not employed by Madigan.
Vaught says Quinn texted the woman seeking a date in 2016. There were fewer than a dozen texts but they continued after the woman told Quinn she wasn't interested.
Quinn is a longtime employee of Madigan’s political operation. Filings with the State Board of Elections show Quinn made more than $500,000 since 1999 doing campaign work.
Quinn is the brother of Chicago Alderman Marty Quinn, who represents part of the city’s southwest side.
The Associated Press reports that a message left at a telephone number listed to Quinn was not returned.
Campaign records show that Madigan-affiliated political committees have paid Quinn $513,000 since 1999.
The woman came forward in November as Madigan was pressing legislation to clearly define sexual harassment as a state ethics-code violation.
This all comes after the Me Too movement brought attention to the lack of options women had to bring forward complaints of sexual harassment in state politics.