Illinois state Rep. Harry Benton resigns amid ethics probe Speaker Welch called ‘unbecoming’ conduct

Illinois State Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, resigned on Friday following an investigation by Legislative Inspector General Mike McCuskey. House Speaker Emanuel Chris Welch described the unspecified misconduct as outrageous, unethical, and unbecoming. Benton had previously been exiled from House Democratic caucus meetings in February. The resignation occurred two days after the completion of the probe and followed a direct call from Speaker Welch for Benton to step down from his legislative position.