Illinois House lawmakers remove nine Republicans who refuse to comply with chambers mask rule

Posted on February 17, 2022
State Rep. Lakesia Collins (D-Chicago) has made the motion all three days to expel any lawmaker who refused to comply. (Photo courtesy: Dave Dahl/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – If Illinois House Republicans wanted to get attention this week, they’ve got it.

The House Thursday afternoon removed nine Republican members who refused to comply with the chamber’s rule on wearing a face mask. It was the third day in a row the subject came up, and supermajority Democrats finally followed through.

State Rep. Lakesia Collins (D-Chicago) has made the motion all three days to expel any lawmaker who refused to comply. State Rep. Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport) said Collins is silent when 800 people are murdered in her hometown. And State Rep. Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) said Democrats are hypocritical because they go maskless at other places.

The vote was partisan to remove The nine were State Reps. Joe Sosnowski (R-Rockford), Tony McCombie (R-Savanna), Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City), Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville), Adam Niemerg (R-Dieterich), David Welter (R-Morris), David Friess (R-Red Bud), Chris Miller (R-Oakland), and Andrew Chesney (R-Freeport). All are eligible to participate via video if they do not wish to mask up.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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