Illinois Valley Times

Illinois state Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Elmhurst) wants Springfield to be on the right side of history.

“The history of our nation consists of pivotal moments in time that will shape who we are for generations,” Rezin told the Illinois Valley Times of growing cries for an emergency legislative session to be convened in Springfield to deal with the issues of criminal justice and social justice reform. “This is one of those moments.”

In a letter to longtime House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago), Reps. Kam Buckner, Curtis Tarver and Lamont Robinson – all Democrats – called for the session in the wake of the death of George Floyd in Minneapolis, which sparked protests and violence across the country. With the COVID-19 pandemic having kept lawmakers out of Springfield since March, with the exception of a recent four-day session to hammer out a new state budget, Rezin said she is open to the idea of returning before the fall to deal with the issue.

“I believe there needs to be a discussion about what has happened and where we got from here,” she said. “My colleagues across the aisle are committed to legislation and I’m always happy to look that when the situation calls for it. I certainly have been bothered by what happened to George Floyd. I think it’s unconscionable and this is a pivotal moment in terms of looking at structural change.”

Rezin said to act now would be the right thing to do in sending a message to young people everywhere.

“The next generation is looking and learning,” she said. “We need real discussion as opposed to both sides going back to their taking points and not really listening the way we all need to be doing.”