Illinois lawmakers are no longer required to wear a mask on the floor of their respected chambers

Posted on March 8, 2022
The Illinois House and Senate have made masks optional in the chambers. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Let the unmasking begin.

Illinois lawmakers no longer have to wear masks on the floor of their respective chambers. The Senate Tuesday discontinued its mask mandate by rule and did not need a vote. The House did debate the rule changed and voted 104-1 to drop the mask mandate, with State Rep. Lakesia Collins (D-Chicago) casting the only No vote.

While House Speaker Chris Welch (D-Hillside) congratulated members of the House for getting through the past two years, State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City) – who repeatedly was removed from the floor for not wearing a mask – said the mask discussions were silly to begin with. Wilhour said lawmakers should spend more time rooting out corruption.

The House could reinstate the mask rule if Welch determines conditions warrant.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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