South Cook News

Patrick Sheehan, state Senate Republican candidate for the 19th District, called on opponent Sen. Michael Hastings (D-Frankfort) to resign as he faces abuse and harassment allegations.

 "I have done my best to run a positive campaign on my record of supporting and defending our families and community. However, the abuse allegations against my opponent have become too serious to ignore," Sheehan said in a press release. "I join Gov. Pritzker in demanding that Sen. Hastings resign from the state Senate ... Taxpayers should not have to continue paying for Sen. Hastings' unacceptable behavior, and they definitely should not have to continue paying his Senate salary while he deals with these serious allegations. The people of the 19th Senate District deserve better. As a police officer for over 16 years, I have consistently defended women from their domestic abusers and harassers. I can tell you, the kind of people who conduct this type of behavior have no place in our government.”

"Integrity is essential to public service, and corruption for personal gain and abuse in private or public is unacceptable. Illinoisans deserve to have elected leaders who are focused on representing them - not on holding office when facing serious and credible charges," Pritzker said in a statement. "Sen. (Emil) Jones is accused of accepting bribes. And Sen. Hastings is accused of abusing women. They should answer the charges and have their day in court. But in the best interests of their constituents, these men must resign from their offices. Resigning only their leadership roles falls short of what the public should expect. I want to send a clear message to the people of Illinois: corruption and abuse have no place here."

Hastings is facing allegations of domestic abuse from his estranged wife, as well as accusations of harassment from his former chief of staff, WIFR reported. Hastings stepped down from his position as Senate Democratic Majority Whip in mid-August.

Hastings has said he will not resign and called the accusations "baseless and without merit," WTTW reported.

Sheehan and Hastings will face off in November's general election. Hastings first assumed office in 2013.

Sheehan grew up in Chicago’s Beverly neighborhood and graduated with a degree in criminal justice from Saint Xavier University in Chicago, according to his website. He began working as a police officer in 2006.