Rep. Mulligan fighting breathing problem

SPRINGFIELD — Longtime Republican Rep. Rosemary Mulligan said this week she's been kept from attending session in Springfield so far this year because she's having regular breathing problems.

“I've very displeased about not being there,” she said.

Mulligan, of Des Plaines, said she hasn't received a clear diagnosis but has been told by doctors not to travel for the time being. Just after Christmas last year, Mulligan had an episode where she could barely breathe and had to go to the hospital.

Since then, Mulligan, 69, says she's been monitoring issues from home. She plans to have more tests soon.

“I'm hopeful that will show a result,” she said.

Mulligan has served in the Illinois House since 1993 and said she's heard criticism recently about her absences from Springfield, including missing votes in January about the income tax increase and other high-profile issues. She said she wanted to be there but would have voted against the income tax hike anyway.

Mulligan didn't attend Gov. Pat Quinn's budget speech Wednesday but watched it from home and called it “lackluster.”

Rep. Patti Bellock, a Hinsdale Republican, works on human services issues with Mulligan and said she's been in touch with her colleague.

“She stays on top of things even though she's at home,” Bellock said.

Mulligan has filed a dozen pieces of legislation in the new session and says she has no intention of stepping down. She hopes to return to Springfield once she has a clear diagnosis and method of treatment.

“I have a pretty good (attendance) track record up until now,” she said.