Thanks to continued calls by local, legislative and Congressional Republican leaders, it has been announced that the General Assembly will return to Springfield May 20-22 to address issues facing Illinois as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Illinois lawmakers will follow strict social distancing and public safety guidelines as they return to Springfield next week to work on a state budget and other matters.

Congressman Darin LaHood (R-18th District) joined several local and state leaders on May 8 in calling for a better plan to reopen the state. LaHood (pictured above, in middle) asked the Governor to visit Quincy and look at the city’s plan for reopening.

 The people of Illinois are facing never-before-seen challenges as the result of an unprecedented health crisis.  The COVID-19 pandemic and the resulting stay-at-home orders have had a significant impact on virtually every aspect of our daily lives.  Any plan to re-open our state and its economy would have a similarly significant effect.

 A plan with the potential to impact the lives of so many, and which aims to balance public safety concerns with the economic well-being of Illinois, should receive input from the co-equal Executive and Legislative branches of state government.