A central Illinois lawmaker has mixed reviews about last week's visit to the Capitol by Chicago mayor-elect Brandon Johnson. 

Sen. Sally Turner thought it was odd the Mayor of Chicago was invited to address the joint General Assembly. Outgoing Mayor Lori Lightfoot made a similar address when she was elected in 2019, but that was before Sen. Turner's time. 

The Lincoln Republican applauded the incoming Chicago leader for his ability to deliver an effective message but did not think the message itself was that appealing, particularly to the values of the downstate resident.

Many conservative lawmakers are skeptical the visit was truly introductory and feel it was a chance for the Mayor-elect to make a pitch to the Illinois legislature for a potential bailout of Chicago in the years ahead.

Sen. Turner hoped the Mayor would have addressed the drug trafficking that impacts downstate Illinois as a result of the lack of action in Chicago.