Jeremy Gorner

Jeremy Gorner is a beat reporter for the Tribune's Metro staff, covering Illinois state government from the Statehouse in Springfield. He previously covered the Chicago Police Department for the newspaper, and he joined the Tribune in 2006 to cover breaking news for its online news desk.

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch speaks during a program at the National Conference of State Legislatures Summit at McCormick Place on July 29, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Speaker Welch pledges to CTU he’ll push for more CPS funding amid scrutiny over handling of harassment claims

July 29, 2026 at 7:16 p.m.

It's the latest opportunity the Hillside Democrat has had to court progressive-minded interests as he navigates uncertain support among his own members, many of them progressives, as leader of the...

Legislators, visitors and others stand outside the House and Senate chambers during the spring legislative session at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield on May 28, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois Democrats’ single-party rule and diminished GOP may shield Springfield from Benton scandal reforms

July 26, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

A monthslong Tribune investigation into Benton found that Welch’s office first knew about highly questionable behavior by the lawmaker in 2023. That’s when a young Benton staffer filed a lengthy...

State Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, left, sits in the House chamber as lawmakers discuss bills at the State Capitol in Springfield on April 8, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois Legislative Ethics Commission votes to release report on Harry Benton harassment investigation

July 23, 2026 at 5:57 p.m.

The state’s Legislative Ethics Commission voted unanimously to publish a report outlining an investigation into the conduct of disgraced ex-state Rep. Harry Benton, who resigned amid allegations of sexual harassment.

Gov. JB Pritzker answers reporters' questions following the announcement that a new company, Zero Point Cryogenics, will be investing in Illinois, during a news conference at the Global Quantum Forum in Chicago, July 22, 2026. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Gov. JB Pritzker urges Illinois House Speaker Welch to be transparent on Harry Benton harassment allegations

July 22, 2026 at 7:07 p.m.

The House Democratic Women's Caucus criticized Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch's handling of the case as "insufficient."

House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch, center, heads to his office after a meeting with Gov. JB Pritzker and Senate President Don Harmon during the spring legislative session at the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield on May 29, 2026. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois Speaker Welch tries to contain fallout over handling of Harry Benton harassment allegations

July 21, 2026 at 6:57 p.m.

Illinois House Speaker Emanuel "Chris" Welch told Democratic House members that delays in taking action against former state Rep. Harry Benton stemmed from the wishes of a now-former staffer who...

Jessica Dixon Heitman, newly appointed state representative, listens as her daughter Sloane, 7, describes a loose tooth in her mouth at their home on July 21, 2026, in Plainfield. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune)

Democrats pick Jessica Dixon Heitman, late US senator’s granddaughter, to replace ex-state Rep. Harry Benton

July 21, 2026 at 5:45 p.m.

A granddaughter of late U.S. Senator Alan Dixon, Jessica Dixon Heitman replaces ex-state representative who resigned earlier this month in disgrace amid sexual harassment allegations.

State Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, sits in the House chamber as lawmakers discuss bills at the Illinois State Capitol on April 8, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Pritzker says Illinois ethics panel should release Harry Benton harassment report amid Welch office scrutiny

July 20, 2026 at 5:00 a.m.

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker’s call for the report’s release came as the Illinois House Democratic majority, particularly women within the caucus, deliberated details revealed in a Tribune investigation over how...

State Rep. Harry Benton, D-Plainfield, center, sits in the House chamber as lawmakers discuss bills at the Illinois State Capitol on April 8, 2026. (Eileen T. Meslar/Chicago Tribune)

Illinois House Speaker Welch’s office knew of harassment claims against disgraced state Rep. Benton years ago

July 17, 2026 at 2:55 p.m.

The revelations from a female lobbyist and an ex-Benton staffer not only shed new light on the scandal surrounding the former two-term lawmaker, they also echo one of the most...

An employee holds a Colt Match Target 9 mm AR semiautomatic rifle at Suburban Sporting Goods in Melrose Park on June 30, 2026. The rifle was available for out-of-state purchase. (Antonio Perez/Chicago Tribune)

Federal appeals court upholds Illinois assault weapons ban, overturning lower court ruling

July 9, 2026 at 6:14 p.m.

In a 2-1 decision, the U.S. 7th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled the Illinois law is "consistent with our regulatory tradition."

Illinois Rep. Harry Benton resigns after investigation into conduct Speaker Welch called ‘outrageous’

July 3, 2026 at 6:18 p.m.

Illinois state Rep. Harry Benton, a Democrat from Plainfield, resigned from the Illinois General Assembly following a monthslong investigation into his conduct.

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