Illinois lawmaker apologizes on House floor

Posted on April 2, 2019
Illinois Capitol
An Illinois House debate a few days ago included some remarks the man who made them now regrets. (WJBC file photo)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – “I made a total ass out of myself,” said State Rep. Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) Tuesday.

He’s referring to remarks he made in debate Friday about a bill which would require publicly-held Illinois-based companies to place women and blacks on their boards.

Among them was this one, directed to a black lawmaker: “You’re not gonna get anything in this country in the way of being treated equally if you take offense at every damn thing that comes up.”

Reick rose Tuesday to apologize and promised to appeal to his “better angels.”

During his apology, Reick said, “I’m not going to say ‘I’m apologizing to those who were offended,’ because if you weren’t offended, you’ve got a problem. I was offensive to everybody, including myself.”

The bill debated Friday passed the House.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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