Lake County Gazette

First-term state Rep. Nick Sauer (R-Lake Barrington) has resigned his House seat in light of a news report that he posted nude photos of an ex-girlfriend on a fake Instagram account as a ploy to lure men into online conversations.

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin released a statement on the day Sauer resigned.

“The allegations that have come forth against Representative Nick Sauer are troubling,” Durkin said. “He will be resigning from office today, and we should allow the proper authorities to conduct their investigations.”

House Republican Leader Jim Durkin

POLITICO broke the Sauer story by obtaining a copy of a complaint filed by ex-girlfriend Kate Kelly with the Office of the Legislative Inspector General Julie Porter, who is responsible for investigating allegations of misconduct by members of the General Assembly and state employees under the jurisdiction of the legislature.

In the complaint, Kelly said that Sauer used the Instagram account “to catfish other men using my privately shared naked photos. Nick would use this account to direct message men with my photos to engage in graphic conversations of a sexual nature. The men believed they were communicating with me and Nick shared private details of my life.”

Kelly also filed a report with the Chicago Police Department, according to the complaint.

POLITICO noted that Sauer was a member of the state House Sexual Discrimination and Harassment Task Force, and according to his website, is a self-described “fiscal hawk” who supports term limits and transparency in government.

“On the subject of ethical leadership, he states: ‘Corruption and unethical behavior has plagued Illinois’ past, but it does not need to define our future. Nick will work hard to lead by example and make decisions that honor the values of our district and the people he will represent.’”

Sauer's resignation isn’t the end of this “difficult chapter in the Illinois legislature,” said Jeanne Ives, former Republican gubernatorial candidate and House member from Wheaton.

“In October, over 300 women working in Springfield signed a #MeToo letter detailing the toxic culture in the Capitol,” Ives said. “For three years, leaders left the position of Legislative Inspector General (LIG) vacant. Today, we only have an interim LIG. This is not how people who are serious about reform and accountability operate. The position of LIG must be kept independent and made permanent. And a transparent process must be put in place for complainants.”

Frontrunners to replace Sauer are Kelly Corrigan, a Hawthorn Woods trustee; and Chris Bos, an Ela Township trustee, GOP insiders say.

Mark Shaw, Lake County Republican chairman, will name Sauer’s replacement -- most of the 51st District lies in Lake County.

The Republican selected for the seat will face Democrat Mary Edly-Allen, an elementary teacher, and businessman Jay Murphy, an independent candidate, in the November elections.

In the House, Sauer co-sponsored numerous bills related to sexual harassment and bullying, including:

HB816, Sex Offender Registry –Battery;

HB2950, School Anti-Bullying Resources;

HB4134, Ethics Sex Harassment Training;

HB4506, Stalking Offenses;

HB5914, School Sexual Assault Abuse.

And he was chief co-sponsor of  HB4242, FOIA Harassment Settlements.

He did not sign onto HB4840, an Ives bill that would amend the State Officials and Employees Ethics Act to give complainants specified rights under the act.