Lawmakers opt against public health-care forums

Obama Health Care supporter Keith Johnson of Saratoga Springs,N.Y. ,left, holds protest signs supporting government managed health care while talking with Werner Rentsch of Schoharie, N.Y. Johnson was counter protesting a anti-goverment managed health care rally in Saratoga Springs, N.Y., Thursday, Aug. 6, 2009. Democrats and the White House are claiming that the sometimes rowdy protests that have disrupted Democratic lawmakers' meetings and health care events around the country are largely orchestrated from afar by insurers, lobbyists, Republican Party activists and others. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)

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SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Many Illinois congressional members are saying no thanks to holding open town hall meetings on overhauling the health care industry after many of the gatherings have turned rowdy.

Public forums led by federal lawmakers elsewhere have drawn jeers and taunts, even arrests in many cases.

Democratic Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois says he won't be doing what he calls "sucker-punch town hall meetings" that he says have attracted "political theater."

In southwestern Illinois, Democratic Congressman Jerry Costello of Belleville and Republican Congressman John Shimkus of Collinsville say they prefer hearing from constituents by appointment or in small groups.