By Sam Wood

U.S Representative Rodney Davis is taking heat from the Illinois Wesleyan campus community after declining an invitation to visit campus during this month’s Congressional recess.

The IWU faculty invited the 13th District Congressman to visit campus and engage in talks with the campus community in a letter dated March 7, 2017.

Responding to that request, Congressman Davis’ office said they would be willing to meet with a small group of 10-15 “faculty, students, and staff leaders” at IWU with no media availability.

Representatives from IWU countered with an offer to make the event private, with no media availability, and only open to individuals with a valid IWU I.D. card.

Congressman Davis’ office declined that offer.

IWU professor Emily Kelahan told WJBC’s Sam Wood that the event was not intended to be a shouting match.

“[Davis] has communicated concerns that they will devolve into screaming sessions,” she said. “We want to reassure him that that is just not at all likely to occur on our campus.”

Republican members of Congress have been under fire in recent months for their refusal to hold ‘town hall’ events. 18th District Republican Darin LaHood hosted a town hall Wednesday evening in Washington, Ill.

Sam Wood can be reached at [email protected]