WEST GARFIELD PARK (WBBM Newsradio) -- Members of Illinois' Congressional delegation are divided on whether they plan to attend President Trump's State of the Union address to a joint session of Congress on February 24.
North Shore Congressman Brad Schneider (D-10th District) is going, and he'll bring the CEO of the Vernon Hills toy company that sued - and beat - the Trump Administration's tariff policy at the U.S. Supreme Court. West side Congressman Jesus "Chuy" Garcia (D-4th District) is bringing Maromir Martinez - the Chicago woman shot and wounded by ICE agents last fall.
But Representatives Delia Ramirez (D-3rd District), Mike Quigley (D-5th District), Sean Casten (D-6th District) and Schakowsky (D-9th District) say they won't attend. However, the state's longest-serving Congressman, retiring West sider Danny Davis (D-7th District) may be on the fence.
"I just stopped having that discussion a few minutes ago," said Rep. Davis during an unrelated event in West Garfield Park on Chicago's West side.
Davis says he respects the office of the Presidency, and the tradition of every member of Congress gathering for the annual address. However: "I understand those individuals who are so distraught with the leadership of the country until they feel that one way to protest the leadership of the country is not to even attend."
"I haven't decided yet whether or not I will go," said Rep. Davis, whose office had previously announced he would attend and bring as his guest State Rep. LaShawn Ford, whom he's endorsed in the Democratic primary for his seat in Congress.
WBBM Newsradio will broadcast the State of the Union Address and the Democratic response live, starting at 8:00 pm February 24.