‘We just continue to do our job’; Illinois lawmakers call for cooperative political climate
ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR) — The temperature of the country’s political climate runs hot, with protests and acts of violence breaking out across the country.
Two Minnesota lawmakers were shot Saturday in what officials call an apparent targeted incident, the same day ‘No Kings’ protests took place across the country. While most gatherings were peaceful, several cities saw violent altercations, including a shooting in Utah and a vehicular assault in Virginia.
Illinois Senator Dave Syverson (R-35) calls on fellow lawmakers to think before they speak. He says the once non-personal disagreements have warped into name-calling and retaliation.
Syverson pointed to comments made by Gov. JB Pritzker earlier this year.
“Never before in my life have I called for mass protests, for mobilization, for disruption,” Pritzker said during an April speech in New Hampshire. “But I am now. These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace. They must understand that we will fight their cruelty with every megaphone and microphone that we have. We must castigate them on the soap box and then punish them at the ballot box.”
“Leaders have to stop with their hate speech and their calls for physical action and then law enforcement needs to do their job in keeping law and order,” Syverson said.
Following the shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers, Syverson says he is no more concerned for his safety than he was before. However, he does believe everyone needs to be mindful of what’s going on around them.
“The majority of people, the overwhelming majority of people, even if they disagree with you, they understand that this is a free society, people can have their different views,” Syverson said.
Illinois Sen. Steve Stadelman (D-34) shares a similar sentiment of awareness, but says he worries about the scalding temperature of today’s political climate.
“People need to be aware and be cognizant that words can have consequences,” said Stadelman. “I think if we have a better mentality along those lines, I think we can bring down the temperature and we can avoid situations like this.”
Stadelman pushes for cooperation between lawmakers on both sides of the aisle. He says the best legislation is passed when Democrats and Republicans work together.
“Right now, you have too many politicians just blaming the other side, calling them names and I think that goes to the heart of what we are dealing with,” Stadelman said. “That political rhetoric helps contribute to the atmosphere we’re dealing with right now.”
Experts at the Pew Research Center explain that political polarization took root decades ago and has spread over the years. Research shows the parties are further apart ideologically today compared to the past.
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