Rep. Raymond Poe is battling a blood disease and is undergoing a bone marrow treatment in Texas.
That meant he was unable to attend the Springfield inauguration ceremonies Wednesday, when the 99th General Assembly was sworn in.
Instead, he took his oath at the University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center. A news release says the oath was administered by Judge Michael Landrum of Texas’ 113th District Court in Houston.
House Republican Leader Jim Durkin thanked the Democratic House Speaker, Michael Madigan, for allowing that accomodation. He also told colleagues that Poe's treatment is going well.
"He's doing well," Durkin said. "He's recuperating. He'll be back with us sometime this spring."
The Republican Poe was first elected in 1994.
