Illinois lawmaker faints during House session

Posted on January 11, 2021
State Rep. Darren Bailey. (Facebook/Darren Bailey for State Senate 55th District)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Southern Illinois lawmaker Darren Bailey, a House Republican who later this week will join the Senate, fainted during the House session Sunday at the Bank of Springfield Center in Springfield.

Witnesses said he hit his head hard on the concrete floor in the convention hall, shortly after the House prayer and Pledge of Allegiance. Minority leader Jim Durkin said Bailey had been complaining of gastro-intestinal issues. According to a statement posted to Bailey’s web site, he is spending the night in a Springfield hospital and is doing well.

Bailey has gained notoriety by suing Gov. Pritzker over his coronavirus restrictions and even got himself kicked out of the House chamber – again at Bank of Springfield Center – for not wearing a mask when the House was in session in May.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

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