* After several minutes of speeches urging calm and decorum, just two Republican House members, Reps. Blaine Wilhour and Adam Niemerg, refused to wear a mask to comply with House rules. They were escorted off the floor and there was no mass GOP walkout like last week.
This post will be updated in a bit with excerpts from the aforementioned speeches.
*** UPDATE 1 *** They’re redoing the roll call because the Democrats neglected to allow Republicans to vote remotely. Rep. Caulkins has joined the anti-maskers and will also be removed.
*** UPDATE 2 *** As promised, here are excerpts from Rep. Lakesia Collins’ floor speech today…
For those who don’t know me, or know my story, I lost my mother at five. And the people who were supposed to love me and protect me did not do that. I experienced physical, verbal and sexual abuse until I became a teenager and found my voice to say ‘No more.’ I lived in several different communities stretching from the city of Chicago all the way out to the suburbs. I lived on couch the couch. I experienced trauma at the trauma was switching from house to house. So in that moment when I was being confronted by my colleague and when my colleagues said to me, in that moment I was triggered. I was scared. I felt unprotected. And I was shocked that this even transpired. […]
My colleague did try to offer me an apology that day, 10 minutes after the altercation. But in that moment, it wasn’t the right time. Especially when I stated I felt unsafe. What I took from this is that we can all agree to disagree, but we have to move forward and do the work we were elected to do. As a black woman, we are told to be strong, but at the same time to be quiet, to tone down, don’t be too aggressive. And our concerns oftentimes go unheard. I’m thankful for my colleagues who stood to the ready to separate us and to the leadership over here who acted so quickly. I hope that we can all put this behind us and keep the people we represent at the forefront. We’re all imperfect people. We may not always see eye to eye but we can always be civil and respectful of one another. […]
I really hope that we can do what we have come here to do, what we were elected to do. And that’s to get the work done and to deliver to the people who rely on us to be their voice in this chamber.
Please pardon all transcription errors for all speakers.
* Excerpts from what Rep. Steve Reick had to say next…
I was taught that you don’t take an insult, you don’t take something that is wrong lightly. And when I heard my name being mentioned as one who was violating the mask mandate, I took umbrage at that. Because I’m also a rules guy. … I disagree with the mask rule completely. But that’s the rules and hopefully the day is soon approaching when we will not have to do that on this floor. The fact remains is that my name being called out as being in violation of a rule that I am bound to follow and respect in spite of my disagreement gave me a little bit, or more than a little bit, a lot of concern because I’m not that kind of guy. I’m just not. I’m big, I’m wild, sometimes I’m profane, but I’m not that kind of guy. So when I went over to the representative and had words with her it came from an anger of the fact that I was being somehow made into something I was not. I regret those words. I regret those actions … I want to say that regardless of how the actions were perceived, or the words were perceived, there was no intent at all to cause harm. I hope you understand that. I think you know me well enough to know that I’m blunt, but I don’t try to cause him harm.
Ten minutes after this happened, I went back and offered an apology, offered to give the representative an apology and she acknowledges that. But I was told by the speaker that it was not the time, it was not the time to apologize. One of the other things I was brought up with was the fact that if you screw up, you make it right up right away. You don’t wait until it’s convenient for you to do it, you make sure that you make an effort immediately when you’ve made a mistake, and that’s what I tried to do, but I was not allowed to do that.
And so what happened was over the weekend, letters started to come back and forth, demanding things. Threatening unstated sanctions, possibly unless I gave a public apology. I will say again, I’m sorry for what I said. And I said that to the representative in Speaker Welch’s office this morning and offered to do it immediately thereafter, and this all could have been diffused, but now it’s in the public realm. There are letters that are out there and there are those who will perceive this as having been done as a result of demands, and threats of unspecified sanctions. I’m offering up an apology but it’s no different than the apology I would have offered up had she been willing to listen to me ten minutes after this happened that this never would have had to occur. That’s how you do these things. You’re honest, you take care of business you clean up your own mess and you move on. It’s what I intend to do with this. These are my last words on the thing.
* Excerpts from Leader Jim Durkin’s speech…
Last week I made a statement on the floor about how we need to take the temperature down. And as I process what happened with Representative Reick and Collins … I stand by what I said. Sometimes we forget that we represent 13 million Illinoisans. They look up to us, they want us to solve problems that they have, the family has, businesses ask us, help us with this issue. When I think about that, I think about, overall, that we have much more in common than you really think. We all have different backgrounds, we were raised differently in different parts of the state. We have different vocations. But at the end of the day, I know full well one thing that is the most important thing that I could say is that we all love the state of Illinois. That’s why we’re here. That’s why we take up this very noble position. And I do believe it’s a noble position of serving in the Illinois House of Representatives. I love my job. I have passion for my job. And what I just heard right now, from both Representative Reick and Collins, they are team members that have great passion for what they do. Great passion for their constituency. But more importantly, we’ve been able to lower the temperature, which we need to do on a regular basis. […]
But also remember to think about this, we have people watching us right now and there will be a point at which we will have people in the gallery, adults, children. Think about that. Let’s respect what’s going on on the floor. Let’s listen to somebody’s questions. Let’s listen to somebody explaining their bill. […]
We do that by exercising civility. But that doesn’t mean that we can’t have a robust debate about language in the bill or whether or not any one particular proposal is right for the state. We will continue to have that type of dialogue and I’m no stranger to that. But let’s move forward and make a commitment towards civility, respect everyone’s positions, their life story or constituents and we will be a better place for that.
So at the end of the day, just remember, we need to be the adults in the state. And I’m glad that both my colleagues spoke frankly about a very unfortunate situation. And I hope that we will never get there again. But let’s say that if there are problems in the future, what we did today, myself and the Speaker, we talked about it. We did what adults do. And if that happens again, we’ll do it again.
* Excerpts from Speaker Chris Welch’s speech…
Leader Durkin, I join you on the floor today to make a public request to bring civility back to our great chamber. Today, I did have a chance to sit down with the leader to discuss how our caucuses can productively work together as the duly elected representatives from our communities all across this great state.
After a couple incidents that took place in this chamber last week, I had some serious concerns about our ability to work together as Democrats and Republicans.
13 months ago, I meant what I said. It’s important that we work together as Democrats and Republicans, as the House of Representatives.
I think it is fair to say that many of us, many of us were concerned about the public discourse that was on display last week. And I will say that today I left the meeting with Leader Durkin, Rep. Collins, Rep. Reick, our Chiefs of Staff feeling very optimistic about where we’re headed. Our meeting was cordial, productive. And I’m grateful for that. That’s the way we conduct business around here. That’s the way we should work together as Democrats and Republicans. As I’ve said since I was elected Speaker, we must work to lower the divisive rhetoric. I know it can be hard sometimes. We are all passionate about the communities that elected us, but we can be respectful while we’re being passionate at the same time. Let’s lower the divisive rhetoric. That’s what we’re talking about. Don’t lose your passion. Come ready to debate the issues. But let’s lower the divisive rhetoric. We must always conduct ourselves with mutual respect for one another. And we must make an effort at all times find ways to work together. Not only is this how the democratic process should work, it’s what the people of our state expect and deserve.
With the statements that you’ve already heard from Leader Durkin, Rep. Collins and Rep. Reick, I think it’s clear we want to put all of this behind us and get serious about the work ahead of us these next seven weeks.
I think it’s also important to note that as leader Durkin mentioned last week, it was very clear when he said this. The rules are the rules. Those rules are in place for a reason. You may not agree with them in your life outside of this chamber. But these rules were approved by a majority of this chamber. They’re the house rules adopted by us, consistent of our powers granted in the state constitution. We should follow the rules and lead by example.
We have a few weeks left here. We can’t afford a COVID 19 outbreak amongst ourselves and our staff. More importantly, we have colleagues in this body who have children or family members who are immunocompromised. Let’s do our part to make sure we can all go home see to see our loved ones.
Yes, we disagree. There’s people sitting here right now not following the rules of this chamber. I’m not a dictator. I believe in democracy. We all voted on those rules. And there are people here right now not following our rules. We know there will be times we passionately disagree in the coming weeks. I encourage that passionate discussion. That’s okay. The diversity of this state is what makes us strong. Diversity of this state is what makes us the great state of Illinois. But when we disagree we need to do so civilly and respectfully. Making our colleagues feel unsafe at anytime in this body will not be tolerated. It won’t. Civility is important. We have constituents watching. Remember that they’re watching everything we’re doing. We have kids at home, watching what we’re doing.[…]
Let’s work together to find solutions and a common purpose in this chamber. You’ve got my commitment on that. Let’s work together even though we’re going to have disagreements on how we get there. Let’s work together, Leader Durkin, and make this an even better state than it is already. Thank you all. Mr. Speaker, let’s go to work. Thank you all so much.
- PublicServant - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 3:21 pm:
Don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time.
- Anon221 - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 3:22 pm:
Rep. Collins is adding Caulkins now also for non-compliance.
- H-W - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 3:23 pm:
Wilhour is giving the Governor justification for asking the Supreme Court to rule that the “masks as quarantine TRO” is insanely problematic. Strike down the TRO, and make Wilhour “moot.”
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 3:26 pm:
==Don’t do the crime, if you can’t do the time. ==
LOL This has no downside to the recalcitrants. It’s on-message to their base and they get to sit in their office with the sound down and all the snacks and beverages in their mini fridge.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 3:27 pm:
Not to mention playing solitaire on the laptop with no one to notice.
- Donnie Elgin - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 3:27 pm:
keeping Lee A. Crawford, as Doorkeeper of the House busy
- Huh? - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 3:27 pm:
Children play acting as adults could do a better job.
- MrMisery - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 3:29 pm:
Worst revolt ever…
- Ron Burgundy - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 3:30 pm:
They are revolting, all right.
- Just Me 2 - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 3:30 pm:
I can’t imagine being an elected official and being so worked up and upset that you had to show basic decency to your colleagues that an acceptable response is to just not represent your District when voting on legislation.
- Bruce( no not him) - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 3:30 pm:
From your earlier post about this mess.
“Take that as a decent sign.”
Only 3 now, that’s progress.
- Pundent - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 3:35 pm:
The rules require a mask if you want to have a seat at the table. Can’t complain if you aren’t willing to follow that basic rule.
Are these the same folks that also think it’s perfectly permissible to disrupt a flight or create a scene at hospital because they don’t want to wear a mask?
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 3:36 pm:
They are not serious people, these anti-maskers in the House
It’s even worse than typical show-business…
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 3:40 pm:
So when one of these anti mask profiles in courage decide to fire up a cig. while sitting at dinner tonight somewhere in Springfield, I suppose their fellow GOP members will storm the restaurant to support their freedom fighters?
- TheInvisibleMan - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 3:46 pm:
The Wilhour variant seems to be mostly annoying, albeit it with a years long period of infection, at this point.
- Osborne Smith III - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 3:46 pm:
It’s going to be people like these that prevent the GA from completing its work by the April 8th adjournment date.
- JS Mill - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 3:48 pm:
Facepalm. Grow up.
- BTO2 - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 3:55 pm:
I hope they’re not on my next flight.
- Glengarry - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 3:55 pm:
Eastern Bloc, please vote better.
- 47th Ward - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 4:01 pm:
===It’s going to be people like these that prevent the GA from completing its work by the April 8th adjournment date.===
That appears to be the strategy at this point. The childish behavior is a feature, not a bug.
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 4:02 pm:
Bring on Cutback Amendment #2.
- Club J - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 4:05 pm:
These three will keep grandstanding until either session is over, a rule change, or session is over. They are playing right to the anti-mask people. More than being sent back to their offices to vote remote is needed to stop their agendas.
Looks like Tom DeVore picked up two new clients.
- Give Me A Break - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 4:07 pm:
All these guys have to do is go home and tell the locals, “I stood up to Chicago and JB” and their voters will eat it up. Too bad their local media won’t ask them what they have for their districts.
- Transplant - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 4:09 pm:
== . . . decide to fire up a cig. while sitting at dinner tonight . . . ==
I remember people talking about their loss of freedom in a similar manner when the smoking ban was first enacted.
I think all this went away when people realized the smoke ban made everyone’s experience more pleasant, even the smokers.
Masks, while necessary right now, don’t make anyone’s experience more pleasant. Hence the reason I think 2 years later, all of this still persists.
- vern - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 4:09 pm:
I think everyone said the right things about the Reick-Collins incident. Reick gave as good an apology as one could expect, and Collins accepted it to the extent she should have.
The bizarre thing to me is that this incident wasn’t actually the catalyst for the initial exchange of civility-related letters. I don’t want to downplay what happened to Rep. Collins, but I don’t understand how everyone could address that without also addressing Deb Conroy’s harrowing experience at the hands of the Republican Caucus and their supporters in the last few weeks. Or are we really defining civility down to just not swearing at each other on the floor? That seems woefully insufficient.
- Decatur Pride - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 4:43 pm:
Caulkins just can’t stand it when he is not at the center of attention or in the center of a good controversy.
- Proud Papa Bear - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 4:47 pm:
“I think you know me well enough to know that I’m blunt, but I don’t try to cause him harm.”
I appreciate Mr. Reick’s apology, something that is sorely lacking in the modern GOP. However, there is a difference between intent and impact and this is not the first time Mr. Reick has apologized for his foot-in-mouth disease. Some genuine soul searching would go a long way in treating this disease.
- JoanP - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 5:03 pm:
“If you kids don’t stop fighting, I’m going to pull the car over, and we won’t go anywhere until you behave.” — Mom (a/k/a The Speaker)
- OneMan - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 5:12 pm:
== I’m not that kind of guy. I’m just not. I’m big, I’m wild, sometimes I’m profane, but I’m not that kind of guy. ==
I see that the representative is older than I am, but we are both of AARP age. He also states he is a ‘big guy’, which is also something we have in common. One of the things I came to realize as I got older was that as a big guy I have an inherent ability to intimidate people due to nothing else besides my size and my ability to project my voice. That my size alone can be intimidating to people even when I don’t have an intention to intimidate. Over time I have understood this and am careful not to use what my wife calls my ‘command and control’ voice unless it is necessary (the only place I really use it now is when reffing football and it looks like two or more players are going to go at it, it’s handy then). I would like to think he understands as a ‘big guy’ that when projects anger, he really projects anger and needs to be aware and temper that in most situations, especially with those smaller than himself.
I admit it took me a while to realize some of this stuff (like I always stand in the front of an elevator because someone my size can make someone nervous behind them especially if there are just two of us).
Being a mature adult is not to use your physical presence as a tool when arguing with others, because at the end of the day there is always going to be someone bigger.
- Google Is Your Friend - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 5:16 pm:
Reick with a non-apology apology that attacks Collins for not being bulled into accepting a non-apology apology last week. Bullying is a pattern with Reick.
- Pot calling kettle - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 6:13 pm:
===Masks, while necessary right now, don’t make anyone’s experience more pleasant.===
Some recent research indicates otherwise: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jan/13/face-masks-make-people-look-more-attractive-study-finds
“Researchers at Cardiff University were surprised to find that both men and women were judged to look better with a face covering obscuring the lower half of their faces”
- froganon - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 6:16 pm:
- “I think you know me well enough to know that I’m blunt, but I don’t try to cause him harm.”-
It’s all about me, I’m a big, blunt, truth teller and when I’m ready to unload on anyone who (forbidden word) me off, I’ll do it. When I’m ready to “clean up my mess”, I’ll unload again. Too bad if my target is still reeling, it’s all about making me feel better.
- Big Dipper - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 6:38 pm:
== I’m a big, blunt, truth teller ==
On the new Trump social media app instead of Tweets and re-Tweets they are called “Truths” and “re-Truths.”
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 7:31 pm:
==“If you kids don’t stop fighting, I’m going to pull the car over, and we won’t go anywhere until you behave.” — Mom (a/k/a The Speaker)==
“If you kids don’t stop fighting, I’m going to start passing out clipboards and petitions and have Sunday press conferences again. In support of Cutback Amendment 2.” –Pat Quinn (aka Squeezy)
- Storms 7706 - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 8:15 pm:
Have any of these attention-seekers passed any substantive legislation in their careers? Just asking
- Candy Dogood - Tuesday, Feb 22, 22 @ 10:45 pm:
Late to the school dance today, but…
===I’m big, I’m wild, sometimes I’m profane, but I’m not that kind of guy.===
Rep Reick is exactly that kind of guy. That was a lot of words for him to do everything he could to avoid taking ownership of his words. He was more interested making sure that everyone knew he tried to apologize and how unhappy he was with not being allowed to apologize on his unilateral terms and how unhappy he was that this is being more broadly discussed. He was deflecting and shifting attention away from his own abhorrent behavior.
===These are my last words on the thing. ===
And now he issues this edict that his behavior will not be further discussed by him after this poor apology that blames others for him having to address his behavior in the first place.
I am certain that Rep Reick’s behavior, his words, and his gestures would have been incredibly different if he was directing his concerns to another member of the legislature. Steven Reick has told us who he is. Steven Reick has also told us he has no desire to learn from this experience or grow as a person or examine what underlying biases would have caused him to behave this way.
It’s time for him to retire. His behavior is not fit for the work place and the Republican House Caucus cannot move forward while turning a blind eye towards the behavior of Reick and his maskless colleagues. They cannot move forward while stooping to shield Chris Miller from the accountability he deserves.
They have made the priority of their caucus to be protecting their bad actors and until the Republican House Caucus finds a purpose beyond self serving and ego stroking they will not ever hold a majority so long as this state continues to democratically elect it’s leaders.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 6:01 am:
To the post,
Unlike the “half” remark once uttered by a member on the House floor, this unfortunate incident is one where a learning of others, in the end, took place and an opportunity for all to learn what words can do, how they can harm, and choosing words, or letting very unfortunate words come out, hurts in ways that are unimaginable until we learn from each other.
I don’t condone Reich’s words. Not one bit.
What I see, hear, understand now is exactly the type of understanding Durkin discusses in his remarks… but I fully appreciate and understand each word of Welch’s remarks too, and what is important, doing the work of the House, and doing it safely, and do it thoughtfully towards each member, all staff, for everyone’s safety.
Why I waited to comment to the remarks from the four was I wanted to digest all they said, and what Welch said to the bigger picture, his last two paragraphs… when I watched these remarks, it was Welch who framed it and put the incident into the context of how much bigger it is then two members, but bigger only to all the work ahead, the respect necessary to do the work, and the call of all to the commitment to serve this state with that respect for others.
- Bad Habits - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 7:26 am:
She accused him publicly for something he didn’t do.
He called her out on it and defended himself a little aggressively. He apologized a few minutes later.
She was so traumatized by the f-word, formal letters and statements are needed to attack him, which force him to apologize again.
Illinois House Reps: Only the thin skinned need apply.
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 8:00 am:
==“If you kids don’t stop fighting, I’m going to start passing out clipboards and petitions and have Sunday press conferences again. In support of Cutback Amendment 2.” –Pat Quinn (aka Squeezy)==
“That and I will also take away your paychecks permanently. I will also start passing petitions for an all-volunteer, unpaid GA.”
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 8:22 am:
I can’t believe I’m asking this but WWJFD? (What would Jack Franks had done in this situation).
- Candy Dogood - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 9:10 am:
===He called her out on it and defended himself a little aggressively. He apologized a few minutes later.===
Every employer I have ever had would have fired Steven Reick for how he behaved towards Rep Collins if they were just regular co-workers in a regular work place. Every. Single. One.
If he had a chance to avoid that outcome, that likely would have been off the table when he defended himself by describing himself as “wild.”
Steven Reick is not a wild animal. He is a human being and we expect human beings to be capable of rational behavior and following specific rules. Steven Reick is an elected member of the Illinois legislature and that’s the only reason why he still has his job.
No one should expect to be able to behave this way towards a co-worker at work and be allowed back in the building.
Being frustrated and being upset do not require nor necessitate the kind of confrontation Steven Reick initiated. We should ask him what kind of things he would be saying if Secretary Clinton had behaved the same way he did during a congressional hearing.
I bet he’d have some really choice words that illustrate the hypocrisy that defines the GOP of the 21st century.