Illinois lawmaker quits leadership job amid harassment claim

SPRINGFIELD, Ill. – A top Democrat has resigned his leadership post in the Illinois House after a legislative activist alleged he harassed and humiliated her. But he calls the allegations “absurd.”

Deputy Majority Leader Lou Lang of Skokie submitted his resignation Thursday as the No. 3 House Democrat.

Medical-marijuana activist Maryann Loncar says she interacted with Lang over the past four years. She says he once touched her low on her back and said: “Does your husband know how lucky he is to have a wife like you?” She says he also once suggested joining her for dinner had she not been with her husband.

Loncar claims the two clashed over medical marijuana, and Lang later said she wasn’t welcome in Springfield — and at one point called her ex-husband to offer his help to “bury” Loncar.

Lang told reporters that Loncar didn’t get what she wanted from state government.