Rep. Sosnowski refuses to comply with the rules of the legislature

Lawmakers removed from House floor for not wearing masks

Andrew Adams

State Journal-Register

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The debate over wearing masks has returned to the Illinois House of Representatives.

The House voted to remove nine Republican lawmakers after they refused to wear masks on Thursday afternoon.

The Republicans in question refused to wear masks in violation of House rules. They cited various reasons, including wanting to take a stand in support of teachers and students not wearing masks.

"What about the kids being segregated in schools?" said Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, to loud boos from the Democratic side of the House.

Masks in schools: Mask mandate for Illinois schools rejected by state legislative oversight committee

The House voted to remove:

* Rep. Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford 

* Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna

* Rep. Blaine Wilhour, R-Beecher City

* Rep. Brad Halbrook, R-Shelbyville

* Rep. Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich

* Rep. David Welter, R-Morris

* Rep. David Friess, R-Red Bud

* Rep. Chris Miller, R-Oakland

* Rep. Andrew Chesney , R-Freeport

Rep. Steven Reick, R-Woodstock, was originally on the list of lawmakers to be removed, but was allowed to stay when he decided to wear a mask.\

Above is from:  https://www.sj-r.com/story/news/politics/state/2022/02/17/illinois-mask-mandate-capitol-lawmakers-removed-refusing-wear-masks/6833597001/

Rep. Sosnowski statement on being removed from House Floor for challenging Democrats’ mask mandate

February 17, 2022

State Representative Joe Sosnowski, R-Rockford, released the following statement today after the Illinois House of Representatives voted 66-39 to have nine members of the body including Sosnowski removed from the House Floor for challenging the Democrats’ mask mandate:

“Political theater was on full display today as Democrats voted to kick me out along with eight of my colleagues for challenging their arbitrary mask rule that has no basis in science. The time to end the mandates is now. For two years we have lived under the dictatorial rule of one person, Governor JB Pritzker.

1. The majority of our schools have gone mask optional thanks to the ruling of a judge and the vote of a legislative oversight panel. Masks should be optional.

2. Other states in the Midwest have ended their mask mandates. (Many long ago)

3. The CDC has announced that they are phasing out their mask recommendations as well.

Despite the Democrats’ actions today, I will continue to speak up on behalf of all parents, families and children who want to live their lives free of government mandates that are driven by politics, not science or reality.”

Representative Sosnowski serves the 69^th District which includes portions of Winnebago and Boone Counties.

If there was theater it was the nine Republicans refusing to abide by the rules of our legislature.  As a drafted Viet Nam veteran, I find Mr. Sosnowski’s action  opposed to democratic principles and to Christian ethics and unpatriotic.  Voice your disagreement with a policy but comply with rules of the legislature or resign your office.