Illinois state House Democrats vote to remove Republicans refusing to comply with mask mandate

Illinois state House Democrats on Thursday voted to remove several Republicans from the state House over their refusal to comply with mask mandates, The State-Journal Register reports.

The motion to remove the nine Republicans was introduced by state Rep. Lakesia Collins (D).

“I am asking you to simply follow the rules of this chamber,” said Collins, according to The State Journal-Register. “That is it.” 

“Every minute we waste talking to you all while you are over there whining about wearing a mask, those people are still suffering and need your help,” she said of Illinois residents.

The motion passed largely along party lines on a 66-39 vote.

“Mind your own business, mitigate your own risk,” said state Rep. Tony McCombie (R) during debate on the motion. She was among the unmasked Republicans instructed to leave the chamber but instead stayed, without putting a mask on, for the rest of the day, according to The State Journal-Register. 

The other lawmakers who refused to wear masks rejoined the legislative session over Zoom, the outlet reported. 

Battles have also played out in Congress over the refusal by some Republican lawmakers to adhere to mask mandates. Notably, as of January Georgia Republican Reps. Marjorie Taylor Greene and Andrew Clyde had racked up nearly $90,000 and at least $58,000 in fines, respectively, for refusing to wear masks on the House floor.