SPRINGFIELD - Two Illinois Republicans in Congress Tuesday criticized President Barack Obama's decision this week to relax some policies toward Cuba.

U.S. Reps. Aaron Schock of Peoria and John Shimkus of Collinsville were in Springfield Tuesday to talk to small business owners.

Afterwards, both told reporters they didn't agree with Obama's recent decision to ease restrictions on travel to Cuba for people with family there. And though the U.S.'s famous trade embargo with Cuba wasn't lifted, limits on the amount of money that can be sent from the U.S. to Cuban families was also rolled back.

Schock said the U.S. shouldn't be changing policies on Cuba until it first signs trade agreements with more democratic countries in the region such as Panama and Colombia. The freshman Congressman said recently visited both countries.

Schock called it "ironic" that some officials wanted to ease pressure on Cuba without extending free trade agreements to those countries.

Shimkus said Cuba should first grant religious freedom and release political prisoners.

"Until that time, we shouldn't be giving the Cuban administration, the leadership there, what they want most, which is American dollars," Shimkus said.

Schock represents the 18th Congressional District, and Shimkus represents the 19th.