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Democratic Congressman Lane Evans has had Parkinson’s Disease for years, but it hasn’t been much of an issue because he continues to attend sesssion and his constituent service program is generally outstanding. In fact, candidates who have tried to use it as an issue have found it backfiring on them. Things could change now, however.
Rep. Lane Evans has missed 33 votes in the House since Feb. 14. His staff confirmed Wednesday that he has been sidelined from most of his official duties for the last month by illness attributed to his long battle with Parkinson’s Disease.Doctors, they said, advised Rep. Evans to take the break.
Staffers say they stay in touch with the Congressman, phoning and visiting him at his Capitol Hill townhouse. Other than to say the incumbent lawmaker could walk, his staff wouldn’t otherwise describe his condition.
While they wouldn’t say when he would return to his duties, they made it clear he would not resign and would stand for re-election in the fall.
Reporters who cover the Congressman have noticed his condition become more severe over the last few years. He moves ever more stiffly, tires easily and his speech is becoming difficult to understand — all symptoms of his disease.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Mar 16, 06 @ 7:44 am
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I’ve known Lane Evans for a long time. He’s one of the most genuine and decent people in this business. But, equally as important, he’s a fighter who loves his job and his district. He’ll rebound and keep fighting for the 17th.
No doubts in my mind. This is a minor setback.
Comment by anonymous Thursday, Mar 16, 06 @ 9:34 am
This will be the upset special in Illinois this year. Andrea Zinga, Evans 2004 oppenent, will be able to paint Evans as not effective and not good for the future of the district. As the article stated, Evans health is now an issue.
Comment by lee Thursday, Mar 16, 06 @ 9:55 am
This is indeed sad news, Evans has been a good representative and focuses where he, in true liberal form, beleives our US Rep needs to focus. Aside from that, he is a sharp and genuinely kind individual. It has been an honor to meet him on several occasions.
As a Republican, I would like to see him voted out of office by a good Republican cut from the Tom Railsback cloth. It is hard to say if any of the Republican candidates running for this office are up to the task.
A couple questions for discussion: do we forego Evans’ seniority, regardless of health, for a political novice?
Another twist, is there some sort of Bill/Dan Lipinski thing going on where the Evans crew slates a handpicked successor after the Primary to succeed Lane?
The district is solidly democratic and it is highly unlikely based on the map that a Republican can win, no matter who the Democrat is.
Comment by Anon Thursday, Mar 16, 06 @ 10:12 am
I’m hope his health improves. 33 missed votes since February 14th is a bit high - but they were due to an illness. I think there was an audit/survey done of all the congressman in Illinois and how many times they have missed votes.
I can recall one or two people on there that have missed a great deal of votes and their is perfectly fine.
Comment by Marta Elena Thursday, Mar 16, 06 @ 10:39 am
I saw Rep. Evans in November while in Decatur at the Holiday Inn there. Apparently he had stayed there the same night I did.
I talked to him briefly and also noted his speech was more difficult to follow than I had remembered from a visit in May in DC.
I don’t always agree with Lane but I deeply respect that man and he has been a very strong supporter for education and library issues. I hope this is only a temporary setback.
PD is a progressive disease with no cure at this time. There are drugs that help with the symptoms and now some brain surgery procedures that help hold the progress in abeyance. Sadly, not all PD patients are good candidates.
I have a couple who are dear friends of mine. The husband has had PD since his 40’s. He is going to have a second surgery for the other side of his brain this month so I am very familiar with the disease and its affects on people.
Comment by Nearly Normal Thursday, Mar 16, 06 @ 12:13 pm
There is no dispute Mr. Evans has served his District well and is respoected by those on both sides of the isle.
It is unfortunate that he felt he had to mislead voters in his last election that his health was not deteriorating. He is unlikely to ever be 100%. A cursory look at the photos will show a steady decline in his health over the years. He has had a good career and served the public well.
But he did mislead voters. Most of his 04 adds did not even show recent video of him. He knew his health was visibly deteriorating and is waiting for his hand picked replacment. Those within the community know he has picked a replacement who was supposedly attending U of I law school to prepare. It is a tough issue, but he should have stepped aside if he knew he couldn’t do the job, rather then go a term unable to put the votes in for his constitents. This could pose a problem for the replacement, that his predessor was willing to let the voters work undone while he was preparing.
Comment by the Patriot Thursday, Mar 16, 06 @ 12:17 pm
He will be reelected. He is too good to his district for him not to be. I don’t care what health problems he has. You just wouldn’t have believed all of the Evans signs that were next to Bush signs in ‘04.
Comment by Lovie's Leather Thursday, Mar 16, 06 @ 12:42 pm
I had the privlage of working with Congressman Evans on his 2002 campaign and during that time had an oppurtunity to speak with him on many occasions ranging from politics to just chit chatting. At the time I was actually a Republican and one of the things that made me respect him so much was that even though I was nothing more that a College Student with differing views and he is one of the most Senior members of the U.S. Congress he still would sit and debate topics with me in a respectfull manner.
I say this because it is that same personality along with incredible intelligence that have made him, and continue to make him, a great Congressman for the District and the country.
Right now especially it is important that we have strong Democrats in office and I think he understands that and that is a big part of why he has not yet stepped down. In the upcoming election it is vairly obviose that many new Democrats will be elected in the backlash against the current administration. Because of this there will be a lot of young Congressmen, and they will need leadership. Who better to give that than a man who has served 24 years in Congress. I have a feeling that after this next term he may retire, but he is definitally needed this term.
Comment by americanpatriotlegion Thursday, Mar 16, 06 @ 4:33 pm
In 1982 Evans got elected in a heavily Republican district, through happenstance, when Representative Railsback was defeated in the Republican Primary. Ironically, in 2006, through happenstance, the Republican nominee will win back the seat in a heavily Democratic district.
Comment by Observer Thursday, Mar 16, 06 @ 9:23 pm
Sorry, but I remember George Washington and what he believed was the best way to handle this. He set the standard, and we need to follow it.
If you are an elected public official unable to do your best due to a mitigating factor such as health or personal problems, do not fail your constituents by hanging on. Public officials do not own their office. These are not lifetime appointments. There is life after politics.
Retire gracefully, don’t be carried out.
Comment by VanillaMan Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 10:20 am
One could argue that he was ineffective before the illness. What has his 20+ years of seniority gotten for the district? Turn on CSPAN~You have never seen him front and center on any major issue. When he could talk, you never saw him speak on the House floor. He does not have a national audience. He is not a chairman of a major committee. These are things one would expect to see for someone with Evans’ senority. But it ain’t there. Do you know why? Because Evans is not a “player” and never was. Unless you are a veteran or a union honcho, what good has he done? And you cannot say that he votes in the interest of constituents - I mean here is a predominately rural district, with a congressman who votes against farmers and gun owners. I’ll take his “Missed votes” over his “wrong votes” any day.
Sorry, just tellin’ it like it is.
Comment by Fearless Freep Friday, Mar 17, 06 @ 5:47 pm
I just heard on the news today that the COngressman is retiring from his job. I am sorry to see him go. I use to live in his district and well i am a republican but i did work on many of his campains. He is a very decent and honerable person but he has yes missed on alot of votes in congress. I wish him well and i know his district will miss him but now maybe it is time for a change and get new blood in their. God bless you Lane Evans
Comment by A FORMER 17TH DISTRICT PERSON Tuesday, Mar 28, 06 @ 5:01 pm