Rep wants to replace Stephen Douglas portrait

SPRINGFIELD -- A member of the Illinois House wants to replace a portrait of Stephen A. Douglas with one of the 44th president of the United States.

A portrait of Abraham Lincoln currently overlooks the Republican side of the state House. Douglas, with whom Lincoln sparred for a U.S. Senate seat in the 1858 election, peers over the Democratic side.

Rep. Mike Boland, an East Moline Democrat, wants the life-size portrait of Douglas replaced with one of President Barack Obama. He says it is time to get president on the Democratic side of the House.

The proposal did not go over well with state Rep. Chapin Rose, who represents Douglas County. The Mahomet Republican said he is not a fan of replacing previous historical achievements. He added there will be a time and place for honoring Obama.