Half a dozen Illinois Democrats boycotting Trump's State of the Union address

At least six Illinois Democratic lawmakers are planning to boycott President Trump's State of the Union address on Tuesday.

According to CBS News correspondent Scott MacFarlane, at least 40 total Democrats in Congress are skipping the president's speech, and that number is rising.

U.S. Sen. Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) posted on her social media accounts that she will not attend the president's speech, because "I'm not interested in hearing another campaign rally full of lies."

U.S. Rep. Mike Quigley (D-IL) also plans to skip the address, and instead will attend a virtual town hall hosted by progressive grassroots organization Indivisible Barrington on Tuesday evening. 

"The state of the union is unstable. Trump's poor decisions have left Americans divided and uncertain about their futures. He has driven up costs through tariffs, hiked premiums for health insurance, and deployed masked federal agents to kidnap and disappear innocent people," Quigley said in a statement. "Trump was elected based on his promises to help struggling Americans, but he's spent the past year focused on his pet projects. Instead of listening to Trump drone on about how 'great' he is, I'm going to join Indivisible Barrington for a virtual town hall. I'm proud to spend this time with my constituents, talking with them about how to restore the American dream and save our democracy."  

U.S. Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-IL) said her office has been "flooded with calls asking me to skip this speech and take a stand."

"I cannot, in good conscience, sit in that House chamber on Tuesday night and pretend everything is normal while families across my district are living in constant fear of this administration and fighting every day just to keep food on the table and a roof over their heads," Schakowsky said. "Families are terrified by the cruel and abusive tactics of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement. Seniors are scared for their Social Security and Medicare. Parents worry about their children's future. Working people are getting squeezed while billionaires rake in more wealth. This is not normal, and it cannot be ignored."

U.S. Rep. Sean Casten (D-IL) also will not attend the president's speech, and instead plans to watch the State of the Union elsewhere.

"My respect for the office of the President of the United States cannot abide the disrespect that Donald Trump shows to that office every day," Casten said in a statement. "As such, while I will watch the State of the Union elsewhere, I will not attend in person, as I am not interested in being used as a prop for his theatrics."

U.S. Rep. Delia Ramirez (D-IL) said she will join 11 other Democrats from the House and Senate who will be attending the "People's State of the Union," a rally planned for the National Mall.

"Since day one, the Trump Administration has been clear about their priorities and the pain they are willing to inflict on our communities to benefit their billionaire bosses. Donald Trump will use the State of the Union address as a platform to gaslight the American people and normalize and justify their terror, abuse, and violations of our rights. I refuse to legitimize it," Ramirez said in a statement. "The State of the Union is reflected in the people in the street fighting fascism and authoritarianism, protecting each other, and mourning those who we have lost to the violence of the administration. I will be standing at the People's State of the Union, clear that the power of the people is stronger than the weapons they would yield against us."

U.S. Rep. Eric Sorensen (D-IL) said in a post on Facebook that he's boycotting President Trump's speech "Because I already know the state of our union – families across Illinois are hurting."

"Neighbors are scared of ICE violence. Farmers are going bankrupt. Costs are too high, and this administration is failing to deliver an economy that works for us in the middle," Sorensen wrote. "Instead of playing politics, I will devote the day working to lower costs, providing real results, and staying true to the people I serve."

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) has urged his fellow Democrats to either sit in "silent defiance" during the president's speech or stay away altogether, wary of the disruptions that have become commonplace at recent presidential addresses.

Virginia Gov. Abigail Spanberger will deliver the official Democratic response to Mr. Trump's speech, according to party leaders in Congress.  

Meantime, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey will join several other Democrats and celebrities who will deliver unofficial responses to President Trump's speech at a protest dubbed the "State of the Swamp."