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Sexual Harrassment, Illinois Democrat Style

March 28, 2006

I'm just trying to imagine the national press and blogosphere treatment this story would be getting if the perp were a Republican. Backdrop: In the Illinois state legislature, as in other such bodies, it's customary to razz rookies when they introduce their first bill. Fair enough. But here's how Democratic State Sen. Rickey Hendon welcomed a new female legislator, State Sen. Cheryl Axley, a Republican lawyer who's a member of the U.S. Supreme Court bar, when she introduced a bill pertaining to township roads. According to The Chicago Tribune, Hendon asked if she was "a true blonde;" if she would "mind going down a township road with me later on tonight;" and whether she came up with the idea for the legislation herself or while "out on a date."

Axley played it off classily, but a colleague was less sanguine.

This is the very kind of thing we try to teach our daughters not to put up with," said Sen. Christine Radogno (R-Lemont), a candidate for state treasurer. "We had several young people visiting because it's spring break. ... Even though it was said in jest, I don't know that they understood that. I thought it was a horrible example."

Hendon, a former Chicago alderman, has sponsored state legislation against baggy pants, and to limit police security cameras on Chicago streets.

For his remarks to Axley, I hereby bestow upon Hendon the first annual Carole Migden award for bringing dishonor to a state legislative body.

TECHNORATI TAGS:

Comments:

You don't have to imagine... former Illinois State Senate President (PRESIDENT!) Pate Phillip often made off-the-cuff rude comments and po'ed entire constituencies of Illinoisans. The media would do a story and the state GOP would say "So what?" and ignore it.

Yet now all you have to do is a blog search for "Axley" and listen in to Chicago conservative radio talking heads and it's all Axley/Hendon all the time.

The right is jumping on top of Sen Hendon and kicking him relentelessly because he's a Democrat -- heck, you're a SEATTLE writer blogging about Illinois politics. Yet, the conservatives ignored now-retired Pate Phillip because he was GOP...

And the most hypocritical part of the right-wing rock-throwing at this glass house? The former conservative website "Illinois Leader" (tagline was Illinois' Conservative News Source) had discussion boards in which conservatives themselves also objectified Ms Axley at one time (long before she was appointed to the State Senate). Were the comments as rude and lewd? No. But the right-wingers objectified her nonetheless.

You ought to add "Hypocritical Conservatives" to your Technorati tags.

Posted by: NW burbs at March 28, 2006 11:57 AM

I'm from Chicago and blog about Chicago and Illinois politics fairly often. Is there some sort of longitudinal dividing line for bloggers? If so let me know, and I'll stop blogging about Boston and Philadelphia, too.

And please send any newspaper article links showing male Illinois state legislators making in-session comments to female legislators that are of a sexual nature and even nearly as bad as Hendon's remarks to Axley.

Posted by: Matt R. at March 28, 2006 04:19 PM
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