Illinois House Democrats vote to remove unmasked Republicans from state chamber
The motion to remove the lawmakers — which passed 66-39 — followed an emotional appeal by Democratic state Rep. Lakesia Collins, who pleaded with the GOP lawmakers to “do your job and comply with the rules of this House. If not, go remote. Simple.”
“Every minute we waste talking to you all while you are over there whining about wearing a mask, those people are still suffering and need your help,” she said of Illinois residents.
Collins’ speech touched off a fiery debate in the chamber, with GOP Rep. Andrew Chesney — one of the lawmakers removed for not wearing a mask — charging that Democrats were only interested in political theater and were “not fighting for anybody.”
Earlier this month, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the state — which is seeing a fast decline in hospitalizations — is planning to lift its statewide indoor mask requirement on February 28.
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