Lawmaker resigns from Madigan’s leadership team following allegations of retaliation, verbal abuse

May 31--A top deputy of Democratic House Speaker Michael Madigan abruptly resigned from several leadership posts Thursday after a former medical marijuana advocate accused him of retaliation, verbal abuse and "inappropriate behavior."

Democratic Rep. Lou Lang of Skokie announced he was stepping down as House deputy majority leader in a statement released as advocate Maryann Loncar was taking questions from reporters at the Capitol.

Loncar accused Lang of years of verbal abuse after they initially worked together to pass the state's 2013 law that legalized medical marijuana. Loncar said that several years ago, Lang made her uncomfortable by putting his hand on her lower back and asking if her husband knew how lucky he was.

Loncar said that on another occasion, Lang called her at night as she was out at dinner, saying he would have come to meet her if she were alone.

Lang's announcement came less than 24 hours after he won approval of the federal Equal Rights Amendment, which seeks to guarantee that rights can't be denied because of a person's sex.

As Loncar was still taking part in a Capitol news conference, Lang issued a statement. Lang said he also was resigning from his post on the Legislative Ethics Commission, which grants the legislative inspector general permission to investigate complaints against lawmakers and staff. Lang also requested the inspector general launch a probe into Loncar's accusations.

Lang said he was also stepping down from a key rule-making body, saying his decision to leave the leadership posts was made after consulting with Madigan "in order to maintain the integrity" of the posts and to "avoid distraction from the agenda of the House Democratic Caucus."

In his statement, Lang said he "made some people mad" during negotiations on the medical marijuana bill but accused Loncar of "seeking to profit off of medical marijuana," saying she sought a cannabis dispensary license but failed.

"Because I refused to let the medical marijuana profiteers trump the interests of patients, I made some people mad. So be it," Lang said.

Shortly after, Madigan issued a statement saying he's "hopeful" the legislative inspector general "will conduct this investigation quickly and thoroughly."

Madigan's political operation has been rocked by sexual harassment and abuse allegations this year. In February, Madigan cut loose a key political operative who had made unwanted advances to a female campaign worker and sent her inappropriate phone texts. That same month, Madigan parted ways with longtime campaign operative Shaw Decremer, citing "inappropriate behavior by a volunteer toward a candidate and staff" during a 2016 campaign.

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