Longtime state Rep. Lou Lang resigned from the Illinois House on Monday, days before he was slated to be sworn in for a 17th term.
Lang stepped down from his post to take a position as a partner at a government affairs firm, he said in a statement.
“One enduring feature of any legislative career in Springfield is transition – entering and leaving the legislature. For me, I too will be part of this year’s transition,” Lang said in a statement announcing his departure, effectively immediately.
Lang will join Advantage Government Strategies, LLC, working with president Nancy Kimme, who served as chief of staff to the late Illinois Treasurer Judy Baar Topinka, according to his statement.
“As much as I have enjoyed my legislative service, it is time to take a broader, long-term look at my professional career,” Lang said, adding, "I’m looking forward to my next act."
Lang was one of the chamber's most senior members, having represented the 16th District - encompassing parts of Skokie, Lincolnwood and Chicago - since 1987. He had also served as deputy majority leader in the House until May 2018, when a female activist accused him of sexual harassment.
Medical marijuana advocate Maryann Loncar alleged in a release that Lang "committed terrible acts against her while she advocated for a bill that he sponsored."
She accused him of making several "inappropriate actions" towards her, including placing his hand on her lower back, below her underwear line, while asking, "Does your husband know how lucky he is to have a wife like you?"
Loncar said that when she rejected his alleged advances, he "isolated, discredited and blackballed" her from Springfield.
Moments after she made her allegations public, Lang resigned from his leadership post and called for the Illinois legislative inspector general to conduct a full investigation into the matter.
Then-inspector Julie Porter concluded in September that there wasn't enough proof that Lang had harassed or intimidated Loncar, who Porter said did not cooperate with the investigation.
Lang will continue to serve as executive vice chair of the Cook County Democratic Party, he said Monday, as well as Niles Township Democratic Organization committeeman - meaning he will have a weighted vote in the appointment of his successor.
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That successor will be chosen through a "public interview process with the local Democratic committeemen for any candidates who wish to seek the post," according to Lang.
