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Lawmakers weigh in on working the holiday

Memorial Day is a state holiday, but lawmakers are back at work in Springfield. But how do legislators feel about not taking the day off?

Session was scheduled for the Saturday and Sunday of Memorial Day.  But it was canceled to give lawmakers a chance to go home before the final push toward the spring session adjournment.   

They returned Monday, despite the efforts of some lawmakers like Republican Representative Jeanne Ives from Wheaton.

"It is far more important for us to be back in district, back participating in those veterans' ceremonies that are important to those who have served."

Others, like Democratic Representative Jack Franks from Marengo, disagree.

"The people in our military put their lives on the line for us every single day, and because of them we are able to be in this body and to cast votes."

The legislature still has a lot to do before the scheduled end of session on May 31st. They still haven't agreed on a budget. 

Lisa Ryan is a graduate student in the public affairs reporting program at the University of Illinois at Springfield. She previously worked at Indiana Public Radio and the college radio station founded by David Letterman. She is a 2014 broadcast journalism and political science graduate of Ball State University.