UPDATE x1: Rep. Kifowit apologizes … (See below)
SPRINGFIELD – During a heated discussion on the Illinois House floor Tuesday, Democrat State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit said she'd like to make a "broth of Legionella" to serve Republican House floor leader Peter Breen's "loved one."
Kifowit's comment sparked heated reaction from Breen's colleagues, in addition to IL GOP State Chairman Tim Schneider calling for Kifowit's resignation Tuesday night.
"Today, Illinois Democrats sunk to a new low, when Democratic State Rep. Stephanie Kifowit wished death upon family members/loved ones of her Republican colleague, State Rep. Peter Breen. Kifowit should be ashamed of her remarks," Schneider said. "Since Rep. Kifowit has refused to apologize to Rep. Breen, she should resign from office, as these remarks are unfit for someone serving public office."
Breen had just completed an argument against overriding Governor Rauner's veto of a bill raising the state's financial obligations in civil cases from $100,000 to $2 million. Raising the state's cap would cause the financially-strapped state with an obligation yet unknown, Breen said.
Breen's arguments angered Kifowit, a military veteran. Families whose loved ones died from Legionnaire's disease as a result of a plumbing system issue at the Quincy Veteran's Home have filed suits against the State.
“To the representative from Lombard, I would like to make him a broth of Legionella and pump it into the water system of his loved one so that they can be infected, they can be mistreated, they can sit and suffer by getting aspirin instead of being properly treated and ultimately die,” Kifowit said.
Her comments were followed by applause from Democrats. (Illinois Channel's video of debate here. Rep. Kifowit's comments at 11:49)
Soon after, State Rep. Jeanne Ives (R-Wheaton) took to the floor, calling for an apology from Kifowit. (Illinois Channel's video here)
“How dare you. How dare you concoct up some sort of story about brewing up some batch of Legionella and having him feed it to his family. How dare you take the discussion and the debate about a very serious bill that has a huge cost consequence on both sides, both for the victim and the state taxpayers. How dare you take an honest debate about an issue and then wish death on my colleague Peter Breen, his wife and his two adopted kids,” Ives said.
Within hours, the discussion hit the Internet and Kifowit attempted on Twitter to "clarify" her comments, refusing to apologize.
"In response to remarks against giving restitution by Rep Breen I stated 'imagine if it was your family' as a hypothetical because it did happen to families. I never stated anything to wish his family death," Kifowit wrote. "My words were twisted and misrepresented but keep in mind – he was angry at the thought. For the families of the Veterans who died and the individuals that were sickened – this is reality."
Party chairman Tim Schneider also called on Democrat leadership to speak out against Kifowit's comments.
"As leading Illinois Democrats, both Governor-elect Pritzker and Speaker Michael Madigan have a duty to speak out against Rep. Kifowit's extreme rhetoric and tone down out-of-control public discourse. They should do so immediately."
SB 2481's veto was overridden in a 71 to 36 vote, including Republican support from State Reps David McSweeney and David Harris. 71 votes were needed to override.
UPDATE: Rep. Kifowit apologizes Wednesday
