Dupage Policy Journal

House GOP Leader Jim Durkin (R-Burr Ridge) hopes his colleagues can "move forward" after a heated and profanity-laced encounter between Reps. Lakesia Collins (D-Chicago) and Steve Reick (R-Woodstock) in the state House of Representatives last week that centered around masks.

Durkin addressed his colleagues on the House Floor on Feb. 22.

"Let's move forward and make a commitment towards civility, respect everyone's positions, their life story, their constituents," Durkin said. "It will be a better place for that. So at the end of the day, just remember we need to be the adults in this state."

Last week's heated exchange came after Collins made a motion to remove nine Republican representatives for not wearing their masks, and incorrectly named Reick as one of the members who failed to put on a face covering. NBC 5 Chicago reported she corrected her mistake later, but after the vote Reick approached Collins and told her to keep his name out of her mouth. 

"I'm glad that both my colleagues spoke frankly about a very unfortunate situation and I hope that we will never get there again," Durkin said. 

He reminded his colleagues that the public is watching their actions, and it's up to them to be an example, better the state and do the job they were elected to do. 

"So many people rely upon us that we owe much more to our constituents than to name call, criticize people unfairly, and to lack the respect that this chamber deserves," he said. "So with that is my hope that we can move forward and we will have our robust debates and votes because at the end of the day we're here based on the political consequences of every two years and we'll take it from there."

Durkin noted that despite differing backgrounds and opinions, he knows every state representative is passionate about their positions because "we all love the state of Illinois."

He said the 13 million people they represent look up to them, and rely on legislators to solve their problems. 

Durkin encouraged his colleagues to still participate in debates over proposed legislation, but do so with respect.