Some politicians and residents are up in arms about a campaign donation of just over $55,000 made by the Democratic Victory Fund to Sen. Ira Silverstein (D-Chicago) who is running for re-election after weathering an ethics complaint.
That harassment complaint was filed by Denise Rotheimer, a victims' rights advocate who was working with Silverstein on legislation and alleged the senator acted inappropriately towards her, including sending her large numbers of messages on social media.
The controversy was fueled by the fact that when the ethics complaint was filed, the office of legislative inspector general, which investigates such complaints, was vacant, even as House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) contended that the office was continuing to function.
Now politicians on both sides of the aisle are weighing in on the issue because the party continues to give money to a candidate with a checkered past.
“As politicians, as statesmen, they need to be held to a higher standard,” Joshua Griffith, an Abingdon Republican vying in the GOP primary for the seat held by Rep. Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) in the 93rd District, told the East Central Reporter. However, he said, in establishment politics, those who have already achieved access to the rungs of power tend to “take care of their own.”
Transparency, he said, is ultimately important.
“It seems like so many things are kept under lock and key,” Griffith said, promoting the idea of easier access to information and clearer understandings of how things work in Springfield.
As for his own campaign, Griffith said with March 20 primary approaching, he's still out there on the road trying to get as much done as possible.
“You're making your final push,” Griffith said.
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