Three Republicans Walk-Out as Leaders Urge Civility in House Mask Controversy
Just three Republican members were escorted out of the Illinois House of Representatives chambers Tuesday afternoon after refusing to follow House rules requiring masks be worn for COVID-19 safety.
Reps. Blaine Wilhour (R-Effingham), Adam Niemerg (R-Teutopolis), and Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) continued a protest against the rule that began last week, when 9 members protested masking while in the chamber and were asked to leave and/or participate remotely.
At the beginning of Tuesday’s session, Reps. Lakesia Collins (D-Springfield) and Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) both apologized for their on-floor arguments on Thursday Feb. 17 that spilled into a tense interaction between two following session.
Earlier Tuesday, House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Westchester) and Republican Leader Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge) met privately to discuss the conflict. Both encouraged civility and restraint in remarks on the floor Tuesday.
“Last week I made a statement on the floor about how we need to take the temperature down. And as I process what happened with Representative Reick and Collins, I stand by what I said. Sometimes we forget that we represent 13 million Illinoisans. They look up to us. They want us to solve problems that they have, their family has, … When I think about that, I think that we have much more in common than you really think. We all have different backgrounds, we were raised differently in different parts of the state. We have different vocations, but at the end of the day, I know full well one thing that is the most important thing is that we all love the state of Illinois. That’s why we’re here,” Durkin said.
“With the statements that you’ve already heard from Leader Durkin, Rep. Collins and Rep. Reick, I think it’s clear we want to put all of this behind us and get serious about the work ahead of us these next seven weeks. I think it’s also important to note that as leader Durkin mentioned last week, it was very clear when he said this. The rules are the rules. Those rules are in place for a reason. You may not agree with them in your life outside of this chamber. But these rules were approved by a majority of this chamber. They’re the house rules adopted by us, consistent of our powers granted in the state constitution. We should follow the rules and lead by example,” Welch said.
“We have a few weeks left here. We can’t afford a COVID 19 outbreak amongst ourselves and our staff. More importantly, we have colleagues in this body who have children or family members who are immunocompromised. Let’s do our part to make sure we can all go home see to see our loved ones.”
Pritzker Endorses Anna Valencia for Secretary of State
Gov. J.B. Pritzker Tuesday threw his support behind Secretary of State candidate Anna Valencia.
Valencia, the current City Clerk of Chicago, has also been endorsed by outgoing Secretary of State Jesse White, as well as U.S. Sens. Dick Durbin and Tammy Duckworth.
“I am proud to join Jesse White and Senators Durbin and Duckworth and many others in endorsing Anna Valencia for Secretary of State. Anna is a capable leader with a proven record of success, and she represents the bright future of the Democratic party. In this Democratic primary for Secretary of State we are lucky to have three capable candidates. However, I believe Anna is the best choice. I am thrilled to support her history-making candidacy to be the first woman and first Latina to serve as Illinois Secretary of State,” Pritzker said in a statement.
“I am grateful for Governor Pritzker’s endorsement, which adds to the growing momentum around our campaign,” Valencia said in a statement. “Governor Pritzker has fought for working families like the one I grew up in, advocated for our women and girls, helped me reform our fines and fees system and notched big wins in Springfield that are making a difference in the lives of Illinoisans. I look forward to joining the Governor on the ballot this fall, rallying our diverse coalition of voters and partnering with him as Secretary of State to fight for all Illinoisans.”
Valencia will face former Illinois Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias in the June primary for the Democratic nomination. Giannoulias still holds a significant fundraising lead over Valencia.
DeVore Announces Run for Attorney General
The downstate Illinois attorney spearheading many of the legal challenges to the state’s COVID-19 safety measures announced a run for Attorney General Tuesday.
Tom DeVore, who most recently won the decision overturning Gov. J.B. Pritzker requirement that masks be worn in schools, has represented several Republican legislators in their efforts to overturn COVID-19 safety mitigations including Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Louisville) and Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Effingham).
DeVore announced his intent to run in a video livestream on his Facebook page, saying he was reluctant to run.
“I’m one of the most non-political people that most of my friends have ever met. I don’t care for politics for much. I don’t like politicians. …. I have no desire to be a politician,” DeVore said. “I have always just wanted to help people.”
“For nearly two years, Tom DeVore has used the pandemic as his personal publicity tour, filing countless absurd and frivolous lawsuits in an attempt to grab headlines, enrich himself, and undermine our state’s public health apparatus. Now, DeVore wants to take his circus act statewide, running for Attorney General in a pathetic gambit to extend his 15 minutes of fame and further gin up his followers against the local leaders who are working to protect the public. Sadly, the Illinois Republican Party has seemingly abandoned any shred of decency, inviting extremists like DeVore to the forefront. Illinois voters want sensible, honest, reasonable leadership from their elected officials, and there is no better example than Kwame Raoul,” Democratic Party of Illinois Executive Director Abby Witt responded in a statement.
Allison Richard
Legislative Consultant
