Director of ISP urges restaurants to follow governors order

Posted on March 18, 2020
Director of the Illinois State Police Brendan Kelly encouraged Illinoisans to follow Gov. Pritzkers orders.
(Dave Dahl/WJBC)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Pausing much of your business – a restaurant dining room – is a sacrifice, but the state police urge you to follow the governor’s order.

Brendan Kelly, director of the Illinois State Police, is ready to crack down.

“If you have any respect for the men and women of law enforcement, respect for your loved one, respect for yourself,” Kelly said, “you won’t put us in the position of having to enforce these very medically necessary provisions.”

And some of the workload is shifting. Kelly has noticed fewer calls about crime. And for another thing, “Forensic Services and our crime labs will be focusing from now on on processing evidence of violent crime and crimes against persons,” said Kelly. “Many of our forensic scientists in our crime labs have volunteered to take shifts in our public health labs to assist with COVID-19 testing.”

As for another order, they say being out of school means being away from other people; it’s not a time for playdates.

Kelly was with the governor in Belleville Wednesday morning.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]. 

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