The Illinois House of Representatives is opening its doors to the public, having previously blocked visitors because of concerns about COVID-19. 

On Monday, House Speaker Emanuel “Chris” Welch, D-Hillside, announced that the House is relaxing some of its pandemic-related restrictions. The House’s public galleries — seating open to any member of the public — will be open at 50% capacity.

This also means that pages, clergy, interns and others who work in and around the Capitol will be allowed in. 

Mallory Harrity and Crystal Kendzior are seniors at Southern Illinois University interning with the House Democratic staff. For the first time Tuesday, they were allowed in the room. They sat in the gallery overlooking lawmakers. 

“It’s exciting to actually understand what goes on on the floor,” Kendzior said. 

Kendzior and Harrity were joined in the gallery by a few members of the press and other staff members, most of whom popped in for a few minutes at a time. 

The House speaker also said he is excited by the updated rules. 

“It has been a very long two years and I’m incredibly grateful for the diligence of members and staff in the Capitol,” said Welch. “We are all eager to get back to a sense of normalcy as we also work to maintain a healthy and safe environment for everyone.”

The Senate is still closed to visitors, though Senate officials are reviewing their COVID-related protocols, according to John Patterson, a spokesperson for Senate President Don Harmon.

The House will still require masks for lawmakers, staff and the public, though face coverings aren’t required in the hallway outside the chamber. The secretary of state’s office, which oversees and regulates state buildings, switched from requiring to “recommending” masks on Monday. 

Illinois’ mask mandate ends on Monday:Here’s what you need to know

Tuesday was an unusual day for lawmakers beyond the updated COVID-19 rules. 

The Capitol went on lockdown for less than 10 minutes Tuesday afternoon. The lockdown, which required lawmakers, staff and visitors to shelter in place, was triggered by a team working on the system that handles emergency announcements as part of ongoing renovations at the Capitol, according to Audrey Evans, a spokesperson for the secretary of state’s office. The lockdown was lifted shortly after being issued. 

The secretary of state oversees state buildings, including the Capitol. 

Welch announced the change the same day that Gov. JB Pritzker lifted a statewide mask mandate for most public places, including schools. Masks are still required in some circumstances, such as on public transportation.

Businesses and local governments may still require masks, though Springfield does not have a local mask mandate. 

Masks were the subject of heated debate in the House earlier this month. Several Republican lawmakers were removed from the House floor on Feb. 17 for refusing to put on a mask. Most of them continued to participate via Zoom. The House voted to remove nine members, though one, Rep. Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, stayed in the chamber for the rest of the day. 

On Tuesday, the defiance continued and the House voted to remove three Republican lawmakers: Reps. Blaine Wilhour, R-Beecher City, Adam Niemerg, R-Dieterich, and Dan Caulkins, R-Decatur. 

Wilhour refused to leave the chamber, which resulted in him losing the ability to vote on the floor. Democratic leadership gave him the option of participating via Zoom. 

Contact Andrew Adams: aadams1@gannett.com; (312)-291-1417; twitter.com/drewjayadams.