Springfield, IL (CAPITOL CITY NOW) – With two days remaining in the spring 2026 session, much business remains undone for the Illinois General Assembly. Talks on all the outstanding major bills, if at all, have occurred behind closed doors. The final two days of session could include emergence and votes on a budget bill, a bill to lead to a new stadium for the Chicago Bears, an omnibus overhaul of cannabis legislation, and a downtown Springfield redevelopment bill.

Among the things which did get done Friday was a House joint resolution seeking a Capitol portrait of former House Majority Leader Barbara Flynn Currie (pictured), who passed away April 17. Praising her on the House floor Friday evening was State Rep. Ann Williams.

“Groundbreaker. Game changer. Icon,” said Williams. “Barbara Flynn Currie was a forty-year veteran of the Illinois House and the first woman to ever hold the position of majority leader in the Illinois House. In 1978, she was one of just 21 women in the House. Her lifetime of service was remarkable. Her mentorship of women was unparalleled.”

While voting for the resolution, State Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) questioned the criteria for a portrait of someone who was never governor – and not even one of the “Four Tops” – the leaders of one of the four General Assembly caucuses. Spain said in contrast, former Senate Minority Leader Christine Radogno and current House Minority Leader Tony McCombie (R-Savanna). Drawing a distinction between those leaders and Currie, Spain said the two Republicans he mentioned were elected by their peers, while Currie was appointed by the speaker of the House.