Injured lawmaker recovering at home

SPRINGFIELD -- Some at the Illinois Statehouse might be wondering where one of their fellow suburban lawmakers has been lately.

State Rep. Eddie Washington, a Waukegan Democrat, has been missing from Springfield for nearly three months. He's reported as "excused" on daily roll calls. So, when a Daily Herald reporter called Washington's district office to check up on him, he was happy someone had noticed.

"I'm just surprised. That's very thoughtful of you to recognize I haven't been there. How many people would just out of the clear blue would just take interest?" Washington said. "I won't forget this."

Turns out, Washington had badly injured his leg after slipping on some ice while campaigning during the February primaries.

He's remained on crutches since then and doctors suggest he not travel until they give the OK -- which, he said, is up in the air.

"Other than that I'm above ground and I'm OK," Washington said. "I'm working to get back in the driver's seat."

However, Washington said he's still carrying his weight despite healing himself four hours from Springfield. As chairman of the Illinois House's Prison Reform Committee, Washington recently conducted an exploratory hearing in Chicago on cruelty claims at Tamms Supermax Prison in downstate Tamms and alleged internal problems at Rushville's detention center.

When asked how he felt about missing out on Springfield's hectic atmosphere, Washington said not much has changed in the last several weeks.

"I left there and it was like that," he said. "When I return, it's still going to be that way."