Illinois lawmaker quits leadership job amid harassment claim

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — The No. 3 Democrat in the Illinois House stepped down from his leadership post Thursday less than an hour after a legislative activist accused him of verbal abuse and sexual harassment.

Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang of Skokie submitted his resignation to House Speaker Michael Madigan, but later denied the allegations against him as “absurd.”

Medical-marijuana activist Maryann Loncar, 51, accused the 30-year veteran of unwanted sexual advances and intimidation while interacting with him over the past four years on legislation to allow the use of marijuana to alleviate pain and other problems with specific medical conditions. Loncar said she rebuffed multiple sexual advances.

“I was harassed, I was intimidated,” she said through tears. “I was humiliated and blackballed.”

Read more: https://apnews.com/45e5cdf4f4e041b5b8ef0b14e2731bb8/Illinois-lawmaker-quits-leadership-job-amid-harassment-claim