SOUTHERN ILLINOIS — Terri Bryant was sworn into her new office as the State Senator for the 58th District of Illinois on Wednesday. Near the same time, a new Speaker of the House was being elected to replace Michael Madigan.

On the eve of Chris Welch’s election to Illinois House speaker, media reports highlighted allegations against Welch made by women. Senator Bryant says she hopes Welch will be a more bipartisan ally during his time in that seat like he was when the two worked together on a higher education committee.

However, Bryant had some strong words against the newly elected speaker.

State Rep. Madigan, had his office as speaker rocked with allegations of mistreatment of women both at the statehouse and within his political operations during the peak of the #MeToo movement. Madigan had maintained despite the repeated reports of improper behavior in his office, he never fostered a culture of harassment.