Kankakee Times

Lindsay Parkhurst, Republican candidate for State House from District 79, recently issued a response via her Facebook page regarding her opponent’s apparent penchant for game playing on a hand-held device during a legislative session.

“Spotted in Kankakee,” Parkhurst said after Democratic State Rep. Kate Cloonen was observed playing a Tetris-like game during session. “Do you think it's okay for politicians to play games while on the job in Springfield? I don't.”

 

Parkhurst implored her rival to pay attention to congressional business while deriding House Speaker Mike Madigan’s decision to cancel planned House sessions earlier this summer.

 

“Just when you think politicians in Springfield could not work any less, they somehow manage to do so,” Parkhurst said.

 

Madigan had previously said the House would meet weekly through June to get a budget approved for the state, but called off all the planned sessions.

"Illinois hasn’t had a balanced budget for years, social service organizations are being shuttered and schools are at risk of not opening on time," Parkhurst said.

Gov. Bruce Rauner also called out the House Democrats for postponing progress, saying their actions will only worsen the state’s current school crisis.

 

“It’s despicable that legislators aren’t working around the clock to pass a balanced budget," Parkhurst said. “Mike Madigan canceling (the House) session is shameful and symbolic of the stranglehold he has on state government.”

Parkhurst didn't hesitate to comment on the perceived job performance of her opponent, who was caught playing video games on the House floor during the spring 2016 legislative session.  

"I ask Kate Cloonen to take a break from Candy Crush and give her boss, Mike Madigan, a call,” Parkhurst said. “It is imperative that all legislators return to Springfield and end this crisis once and for all.”

 

The candidate prioritized the need to put Illinois first and “stop playing politics with our future."

 

“It's time to send the career politicians packing -- let's fire Kate ‘Candy Crush’ Cloonen this November and take back our state,” Parkhurst said. “The future of Illinois depends on it.”