Mulligan out sick for key votes

State Rep. Rosemary Mulligan would have joined a chorus of suburban lawmakers who voted overwhelmingly against a 2 percentage point income tax increase.

But the Des Plaines Republican again had to cancel her trip to Springfield, due to allergy issues that have become more serious with the recent cold snap, she said.

The veteran lawmaker — who has championed human service issues and is a frequent speaker on the House floor — would have been there if she could, she said Wednesday.

In recent weeks, Mulligan also has been absent for other veto session days and key votes. She was present Dec. 1, when the House held a vote on civil unions and she voted in favor.

Mulligan said she was not surprised the tax increase passed, given what Democrats said during the election campaign.

She said she sees the increases in the personal and corporate income tax rates as “taking away any discretionary spending the public has or businesses have.”