Lake County Gazette

Rep. Barbara Wheeler (R-Crystal Lake) had her own address to give minutes before Wednesday's State of State address.

Standing in a point of personal privilege, Wheeler announced legislation she has filed to fight sexual harassment.

“Like my cousin Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago), I am proud of this body for standing in solidarity against sexual harassment and sexual abuse,” Wheeler said of all women legislators wearing black. “We all recognize that it doesn’t matter who the oppressors are, whether they be corporations, individuals or organizations. The oppression and the abuse should be identified and eliminated, and the oppressors identified, held accountable and punished.”

Wheeler made it clear she wanted to be heard when the legislators around her remained talking.

“I will wait till everyone is ready to listen,” Wheeler said. 

“A few weeks ago, the Sexual Harassment Task Force heard testimony from several women who work for Ford Motor Co. Ford Motor Co. CEO Jim Hackett recognized what he described as ‘gut-wrenching accounts,’ and more importantly, promises to ‘learn from this and we will do better.’”

She said since hearing graphic and shocking testimony, she has contacted the director of communications and community relations of the Chicago Ford plant.

“They're working through policies and procedures to ensure a safer, better work environment and we are holding them accountable; however, there is another side to this story; a much more complex and darker side,” Wheeler said.

She said many of the Ford employees alleged union representatives, the authority charged with accepting ethics complaints, were engaging in harassing behavior.  

“How do we help these women whose union leadership, to who they pay dues and expect protection, are the abusers and the harassers?” Wheeler asked.

She added since abuse and corruption run deep in such Chicago plants and within the United Automobile Workers union and because it is the prevue of the federal government to regulate and oversee union activities, she has created the resolution.

“I have filed House Resolution 783 urging the federal government to launch a thorough investigation to this union and look into all aspects of all alleged abuse described,” Wheeler said.

She is confident legislators who stand in solidarity against harassment will remain steadfast with resolve, she said.

“Time is up,” Wheeler said, “I ask that all members read Resolution 783 and you all sign on so that in solidarity this house tells the federal government to investigate union leadership within the UAW.”