Shanahan Calls for Transparency and Integrity Two Weeks After Benton’s Removal from Democratic Caucus

Two weeks after Representative Harry Benton was removed from the House Democratic caucus and stripped of his committee assignments, residents of the 97th District are still waiting for answers.

“When I announced my campaign for State Representative, I made it clear that my mission was to restore integrity to this office,” said Republican candidate for State Representative Gabby Shanahan. “These were extraordinary actions taken against a sitting legislator, yet residents still have not heard a single explanation from Rep. Benton. Two weeks of silence is not acceptable.”

Public office is built on trust and accountability. When actions this serious occur involving an elected official, the public deserves transparency.

Caucus standing and committee assignments help shape legislation and influence major issues like the cost of living, taxes, and public safety. When a representative loses those roles, it can limit their ability to advocate for their district’s priorities in Springfield and leave residents without a strong voice in the issues they care about.

Questions about Representative Benton’s integrity and transparency did not begin with this situation. For years, voters have seen a troubling pattern — from accepting more than half a million dollars from political committees controlled by former Speaker Mike Madigan during the height of the Springfield corruption scandals, to misleading voters about his record and collecting two taxpayer-funded salaries at the same time while serving as both highway commissioner and state representative.

“Respect and professionalism must be the baseline in every workplace, and integrity and transparency are foundational to good government,” Shanahan said. “That is the way I’ve lived my life, how I am raising my family, and what I will bring to this office if elected.” With the primary election just one week away, voters in the 97th District deserve clear answers about what happened and how it affects their representation in Springfield.

“The people of this district deserve transparency, and they deserve representation that reflects the integrity and accountability our community expects,” Shanahan said.