Ailing Ill. (Lane Evans) congressman to retire

[wndycty]

Ailing Ill. congressman to retire

By Jeff Zeleny
Washington Bureau
Published March 28, 2006, 11:00 AM CST

WASHINGTON -- Rep. Lane Evans, who has battled Parkinson's disease for more than a decade, has told fellow Illinois Democrats here that he intends to announce his retirement from Congress.

Evans, who was hospitalized for a brief period in February, had not cast a vote in the House since Feb. 14 and had not reported to work in his Washington office for more than a month. He began informing members of the Illinois delegation today and plans to make a public announcement as soon as this afternoon.

After he was diagnosed with Parkinson's disease in 1995, Evans did not reveal his condition for several years, fearful that it would be used against him in politics. He has held a congressional seat in western Illinois since 1982 and is the ranking Democrat on the Veterans' Affairs Committee.

A spokesman for Evans could not immediately be reached for comment. But three officials from the Illinois delegation confirmed that Evans, 54, had told party officials of his decision to retire.
-snip-

http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/custom/newsroom/chi-060328laneevans,1,4987975.story?coll=chi-newsroom-hed

[Greeby]

1. Damn

:(

[Faygo Kid]

2. Damn. A good man. I'm 54, too.

Probably more information than you need to know, but he is 40 days older than me. That said, he sounds like a good rep, and a strong environmentalist. All the best.

[BootinUp]

3. Thats got to be tough

Someday they will find a cure for that disease.

[madrchsod]

4. he`s a good guy and he will be missed by people of both parties

now zinga will have to run on her face not against his illness. i`m not sure if anyone has a clear shot at winning this race because this district is the most diverse in in illinois.

[rox63]

5. That's awful to be so ill at such a young age

Prayers to him and his family.

Do the Dems have a good candidate waiting in the wings to run for that seat?

[Greeby]

6. No. The Illinois primaries have passed

Unless somebody knows of a way that the Dems are allowed to get a replacement, the Repuke is gonna automatically pick this up

[wndycty]

7. State Rep. Mike Boland seems to be the popular name. . .

. . .being speculated on Rich Miller's blog:
http://thecapitolfaxblog.com/2006/03/28/this-just-in-lane-evans-to-retire/#comments