# Sexual harassment scandal shapes southwest suburban Illinois House race

> Illinois House race in 97th district heated by sexual harassment allegations against ex-Rep. Harry Benton.
- Title: Sexual harassment scandal shapes southwest suburban Illinois…
- Summary: Illinois House race in 97th district heated by sexual harassment allegations against ex-Rep. Harry Benton. Democrat Jessica Dixon Heitman faces Republican…
- Keywords: illinois house district 97, gabby shanahan, jessica dixon heitman, harry benton, sexual harassment, illinois house speaker chris welch, will and kendall county, illinois house election, news, local, Sexual, harassment
- Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/elections/2026/10/16/illinois-house-district-97-election-shanahan-heitman-benton-sexual-harassment-scandal
- Published: 2026-10-16T10:30:00+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: illinois house district 97, gabby shanahan, jessica dixon heitman, harry benton, sexual harassment, illinois house speaker chris welch, will and kendall county, illinois house election, news, local
## Illinois House race in 97th district
Democrat Jessica Dixon Heitman seeks full term against Republican Gabby Shanahan following ex-Rep. Harry Benton's resignation.
## Sexual harassment scandal
Ex-Rep. Harry Benton resigned amid allegations of making lewd comments to three women.
## Jessica Dixon Heitman's background
Dixon Heitman, granddaughter of late U.S. Sen. Alan Dixon, worked as statehouse media relations staffer before launching her own PR firm.
## Gabby Shanahan's campaign
Shanahan, a court-appointed special advocate for children, argues that 'had something been said three years ago, two more victims or survivors would not have been in that situation'.

> had something been said three years ago, two more victims or survivors would not have been in that situation
## Dixon Heitman's stance
Dixon Heitman says she respects the wishes of the young complainant who 'was very opposed to filing any sort of report'.

> was very opposed to filing any sort of report
## Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch
Welch faces criticism for directing $1.4 million to Benton's 2024 reelection campaign.
## Benton's denial
Benton denies wrongdoing and continues as Wheatland Township highway commissioner.
## Dixon Heitman's campaign focus
Dixon Heitman focuses on lowering healthcare costs, protecting senior services, expanding good-paying jobs, and retirement security.
## Shanahan's campaign focus
Shanahan emphasizes lowering property taxes and gas taxes, noting Illinois has the second highest gas tax in the nation.
## Purple district dynamics
Their district is purple with voters supporting Kamala Harris by about 4% over Donald Trump in 2024.
## Dixon Heitman's financial advantage
Dixon Heitman entered October with $79,000 in campaign funds and over $200,000 in in-kind contributions.
## Shanahan's financial position
Shanahan entered October with $48,000 in campaign funds and $141,000 in in-kind contributions.
## Shanahan's stance on abortion
Shanahan declined to share personal stance on abortion rights, stating it's 'already settled in Illinois'.

> already settled in Illinois
## Dixon Heitman's stance on abortion
Dixon Heitman supports a state constitutional amendment codifying abortion rights.
## Key takeaway

Democrat Jessica Dixon Heitman faces Republican Gabby Shanahan in Illinois House race after ex-Rep. Harry Benton resigned amid sexual harassment allegations.