advertisement

Lawmakers question legislature meeting on Memorial Day

Two suburban Republicans are questioning why lawmakers are meeting in Springfield on Memorial Day instead of honoring the country's war dead.

State Rep. Jeanne Ives, a Wheaton Republican and West Point graduate, said lawmakers worked partial weeks and canceled days of session all spring. So they could have worked a little harder earlier and avoided working on a national holiday, she said. State Rep. Tom Morrison, a Palatine Republican, has also questioned the move over the years.

“There's no doubt that we could be more efficient with our work earlier,” Ives said.

Lawmakers face a May 31 budget deadline. They won't be in Springfield Saturday and Sunday but plan to convene Memorial Day afternoon to restart their session.

“If you don't find that day meaningful to you, then you've got a problem in not understanding history and the sacrifices people made,” Ives said.

A spokesman for House Speaker Michael Madigan, a Chicago Democrat, said there will be an observance on the Illinois House floor Monday as there is any year that lawmakers work on Memorial Day.

It's not unusual for state lawmakers to work the weekend and Memorial Day as their annual spring session winds down. The annual state budget is often approved in the closing days — or even closing hours — before the May 31 deadline, unless gridlock pushes their work into the summer.

Tom Morrison
Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.