Illinois Rep. Darren Bailey Collapses On House Floor Sunday

SPRINGFIELD, IL —Illinois state Rep. Darren Bailey spent the night at a Springfield hospital after collapsing Sunday on the House floor. Bailey, a Republican from Xenia, gained national attention last spring when he filed a lawsuit claiming Gov. J.B. Pritzker had exceeded his authority by issuing a stay-at-home order during the coronavirus pandemic.

Video showed Bailey lying on the floor for several minutes after collapsing before he was able to stand up and be placed on a gurney by paramedics, who wheeled him out of the Bank of Springfield Center.

On Sunday night, Bailey issued a statement that he was spending the night at Memorial Medical Center and had tested negative for coronavirus. "Rep. Bailey appreciates all the thoughts and prayers for him and his family," the statement said.

Pritzker tweeted wishing Bailey a speedy recovery.

Earlier in the day, Bailey issued a statement saying he had experienced a "minor medical issue" during proceedings, adding that he had "fainted but is now doing well" and looked forward to returning to work.

House GOP Leader Jim Durkin also said Bailey experienced "gastrointestinal issues over the past few days" and likely passed out because he hadn't eaten yet on Sunday.

Following the storming of the U.S. Capitol Wednesday in Washington, D.C., Bailey told Politico that he and his wife "offered prayer to followers and encouraged a cleanse," saying, "We’ve embarked on a 21-day fast. Liquid only up until the evening, when we enjoy a healthy meal because our nation needs prayer and it needs prayer now."

In July, a downstate judge voided Pritzker's executive orders regarding coronavirus in Clay County, where Bailey filed the lawsuit. But in late December, a Sangamon County judge tossed that decision.

Bailey was wearing a mask in footage showing him being wheeled out of the House chambers, but in May, he was escorted out of a special session for refusing to wear a face covering after his colleagues voted to have him removed.