Debate over House rules on masks and other COVID-19 restrictions leads to temperature checks for legislators

A House staffer takes the temperatures of legislators on Wednesday after state Rep. Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur, argued that all the COVID-19 mitigations should be followed or none of them. | Blue Room Stream

SPRINGFIELD — Confusion and pushback regarding the enforcement of masks mandates spilled over onto the House floor Wednesday during the legislative session after Republicans refused to comply with face covering requirements.

Earlier in the pandemic, lawmakers had approved House rules requiring face coverings to be worn in the chamber unless eating, drinking or speaking into the microphone.