Senator's sex-harassment accuser wants answers on complaint

The political activist who has accused an Illinois Senate Democratic leader of sexually harassing her said Thursday that she wants to know why Sen. Ira Silverstein faced no repercussions until after she went public this week.

Denise Rotheimer said Silverstein, who relinquished his leadership post and its $21,000 stipend Wednesday night, should resign the Senate seat representing Chicago that he’s held since 1999.

Rotheimer, a victims-rights advocate from Ingleside, testified on Tuesday before a House Committee considering sexual-harassment training for lawmakers, staff, and lobbyists. She described how the 57-year-old Silverstein sent her inappropriate social-media messages, paid her unwanted compliments and called her late at night last year while they were working on legislation

But she told The Associated Press Thursday that the issue has gone “beyond Silverstein.” She wants to know why her charge sat idle for nearly a year with no action, no communication, and Silverstein resigned only after she pointed a spotlight on him.

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