Democratic state lawmakers are criticizing a Republican legislator for making disparaging comments about a challenger.
House Democrats say west suburban Rep. Amy Grant, who is running for re-election, was on the phone seeking support from someone she didn't know, and he recorded the call.
Grant talked about her Democratic opponent, Ken Mejia-Beal, who's African-American and openly gay.
In the recording, she's heard saying that Mejia-Beal, who lives in DuPage County, is "one of the Cook County people."
She says the "last thing" Springfield needs is another Black Caucus member.
Grant also is heard criticizing LGBTQ issues.
"I always hope that we're better than this," says Rep. Greg Harris, D-Chicago, who was among lawmakers calling out Grant. "But these days I guess we're finding now it's OK to say out loud the things that people used to just whisper in the shadows."
A brief statement from Grant said she is sorry her comments.
"I deeply regret the comments I made about Ken Mejia-Beale, and reached out to apologize to him this morning. These comments do not reflect my heart or my faith," she said.
