Coverage dated July 30, 2026 to August 1, 2026

Report on Harry Benton alleges two 'founded' instances of sexual assault

Headline from Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW)

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) -- On Friday, the report regarding State Rep. Harry Benton's sexual harassment investigation was released -- and it details multiple alleged examples of inappropriate conduct after he was sworn in more than three years ago.

Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW)'s own description from its feed. We collect headlines and these descriptions, not full articles; read the original reporting below.

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Reports & sources

9 articles, oldest first.

NBC Chicago
Disgraced former Illinois official broke sexual harassment law, new report shows (opens NBC Chicago)
Published Jul 30, 2026
NBC Chicago's feed description
State Rep. Harry Benton speaks on the House floor at the Illinois State Capitol, May 29, 2025, in Springfield, Illinois. (John J. Kim/Chicago Tribune/Tribune News Service via Getty Images)
WGN Chicago
Former State Rep. Benton violated state law by committing acts of sexual harassment: IG report (opens WGN Chicago)
Published Jul 31, 2026
WGN Chicago's feed description
A report from the Legislative Inspector General has detailed alleged misconduct by former Democratic State Rep. Harry Benton, amid scrutiny of Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch's handling of previous complaints.
Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW)
Report on Harry Benton alleges two 'founded' instances of sexual assault (opens Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW))
Published Aug 1, 2026
Eyewitness News (WEHT/WTVW)'s feed description
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WCIA) -- On Friday, the report regarding State Rep. Harry Benton's sexual harassment investigation was released -- and it details multiple alleged examples of inappropriate conduct after he was sworn in more than three years ago.
Fox32 Chicago
Former Illinois Rep. Harry Benton committed two acts of sexual harassment, inspector general finds (opens Fox32 Chicago)
Published Jul 31, 2026
Fox32 Chicago's feed description
The Illinois Legislative Inspector General investigated complaints about former State Rep. Harry Benton's conduct while he served in the Illinois House. According to the report , investigators found Benton committed two acts of sexual harassment that violated state law. New report on former Rep.
Capitol News Illinois
Report finds ‘pattern and practice’ of sexual harassment by ex-Rep. Harry Benton (opens Capitol News Illinois)
Published Jul 31, 2026
Capitol News Illinois's feed description
Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch continues to face scrutiny for his handling of past allegations.
Sun Times
Watchdog's report on Benton raises more questions about Speaker Welch's handling of sexual harassment (opens Sun Times)
Published Jul 31, 2026
Sun Times's feed description
It only takes “a cursory reading” of a woman’s 2023 complaint about Harry Benton “to see a very early pattern and practice of sexual harassment” by the now-disgraced ex-state representative, according to Springfield’s top watchdog.
ABC 7 Chicago
Report details explosive sexual harassment findings against former Illinois lawmaker Harry Benton (opens ABC 7 Chicago)
Published Jul 31, 2026
ABC 7 Chicago's feed description
Some lawmakers say Emanuel "Chris" Welch's leadership should be scrutinized, noting that after the first sexual harassment complaint against Harry Benton surfaced, Welch's political operation spent $1.4 million to support his 2024 reelection bid.

Identical headlines usually mean shared wire copy. They are counted as separate articles but are not independent confirmation.