* Reporters were sent this yesterday…

Good afternoon,

With the recent changes in COVID mitigations at the state level, the Senate has made several updates to our COVID safety protocols.

You will still be required to show a negative PCR test to gain entry to Senate offices, committee rooms, press boxes and galleries. More information on testing is below. Rapid and at-home tests will not be accepted.

Face masks, which cover the nose and mouth, are strongly encouraged but not required for all persons in Senate areas of the Capitol. Please take care and respect in approaching or meeting with another person within 6ft as to their preference on mask-wearing.

Senate galleries will be open to 50% capacity and all entrants must have a wristband.

Testing protocols remain the same, but please review details below if you need a refresher or need to test for the first time.

* Subscribers know more, but here’s Politico…

Members of the Illinois House are expected to vote today to make masks optional in the chamber. The approval would put an end to standoffs with Republicans who have opposed the face-coverings.

“It’s time,” House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch said in an interview in his office after taking up the issue with his Democratic Caucus.

“We wanted to check with them first. I don’t want to be guessing,” he said. “I’m hopeful that that’s something we can take up [Tuesday] when we convene.” It would go into effect immediately, so we imagine a dramatic moment of masks flying like caps in a graduation scene in the movies.

Welch also met with House Minority Leader Jim Durkin about taking a vote to make masks optional. The response? “It was the shortest meeting I’ve had with him all year,” Welch said.

The expected new guidance follows contentious debates on the House floor with some Republicans being kicked out of the chamber for not wearing masks. The decision also follows Gov. JB Pritzker easing up the indoor mask mandate in Illinois and Congress removing its mask mandate as well.

…Adding… The House resolution is here.

*** UPDATE *** The House resolution passed with one dissenting vote, Rep. Lakesia Collins (D-Chicago), who sponsored the motions to kick the House Republican violators off the floor.

…Adding… DeVore offers up some spin…

Thomas DeVore, the attorney representing Wilhour, said the modified rule means the lawsuit isn’t necessary. But, he said they’ll bring the lawsuit again if masks are ever mandated on members without due process.

“I’m pleased to hear the Democratic majority passed a resolution withdrawing their unlawful mask policy,” DeVore told The Center Square. “While the chamber can adopt rules of decorum, this does not include the discretion to adopt public health policy.”

DeVore said they were ready to challenge the rule in Sangamon County court Wednesday. But, the House dropping the rule “at the last minute renders the hearing no longer necessary.”

“The House majority should not believe this issue is over for if they ever try again to adopt an unconstitutional quarantine policy cloaked as a decorum rule, Representative Wilhour and I will return to defend the people’s House,” DeVore said.

Again, the TRO containing the bizarre quarantine reasoning was vacated. There’s nothing on the books upholding this theory.