Members of the state House attended the training on Wednesday. Senate members will attend Thursday.
"We started with some pre-questions, like a quiz, we went through a PowerPoint, we had ample chance to ask questions. I think that was very important and a great step," said Rep. Carol Sente, D-Vernon Hills.
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House Speaker Mike Madigan, who sponsored legislation mandating annual training, called the training productive and informative.
The hour-and-a-half session puts members on notice that the culture in Springfield needs to change. After the training, Madigan said that lawmakers have no excuse for engaging in inappropriate behavior.
"There's a rule that should be followed which is good and appropriate conduct and if you don't engage in good and appropriate conduct you're going to be in a big heap of trouble," Madigan said.
Madigan declined to say whether he believes state Sen. Ira Silverstein, D-Chicago, should resign after being accused of sexual harassment by a victim's rights advocate.
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Silverstein would not say if he plans to resign or not.
"My first conversation's going to be with the inspector general and I hope it happens as soon as possible," Silverstein said.
Some lawmakers said the increased awareness of the problem of sexual harassment in the capital is having a positive impact already and that the training will help.
"I think that will be very beneficial for everybody, but I've noticed a big difference just in the couple of days that we've been down here," said Patty Bellock, R-Westmont.
"I can always be reminded of what I can be doing better, how I can be acting professionally in this environment, so I'm going to take this training seriously and do the best I can to treat everyone with respect and dignity and if everyone does that we'll be in really good shape," said Mike Zalewski, D-Riverside.