Condolences to State Senator Suzie Schmidt (R-Lake Villa), as her Springfield staff is reporting that Ms. Schmidt's mother passed away this morning.
Senator Schmidt will not be in Springfield for today's or tomorrow's lame duck session. Her absence could affect the outcome of the same sex marriage bill expected to come before the Senate Thursday or Friday.
Senator Schmidt was not re-elected in 2012 to her Lake Villa-based district. Before being elected in 2010 to the Illinois Senate, she was Lake County Board Chairman from 2000 to 2011.