Gov. Baker’s first full week interrupted by illness

(State House News Service) –Gov. Charlie Baker ran into an unexpected hindrance just a day and a half into his first week on the job, experiencing a winter illness that sent the new state executive home to recuperate. Baker, after missing Boston Mayor Martin Walsh’s first “State of the City” address Tuesday night with illness, cancelled his public schedule Wednesday.

“The Governor is resting at home today after coming down with flu-like symptoms late yesterday. All public events have been postponed,” Baker spokeswoman Elizabeth Guyton told the News Service in an email after Baker’s staff announced the cancellation of the day’s schedule.

No further details were available from the governor’s staff. Lieutenant Gov. Karyn Polito attended Walsh’s speech at Symphony Hall Tuesday night in Baker’s place. Baker was scheduled to meet with Republican legislative leaders Tuesday morning in his office and was to hold a press availability with the GOP members.

On Monday, Baker held his first regular meeting with House Speaker Robert DeLeo and Senate President Stanley Rosenberg, both Democrats. According to a Baker aide, the three men discussed how frequently they should hold such meetings, and whether or not to include Republican leaders in what are expected to become weekly sit-downs, but no decisions were reached. The governor was also scheduled to appear alongside Walsh on WBZ’s Nightside with Dan Rea talk show at 8 p.m. Tuesday.

A spokeswoman for House Minority Leader Bradley Jones said the meeting has been cancelled and the Republican members will not meet among themselves in Baker’s absence.

Walsh spokeswoman Bonnie McGilpin said Tuesday morning that Walsh is still scheduled to appear on Rea’s program.

[Matt Murphy contributed reporting]