Pritzker warns those who defy state’s stay-at-home order

Posted on May 13, 2020
Gov. JB Pritzker gives an update on COVID-19 from his house. (Dave Dahl/WJBC)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – In addition to delivering the latest coronavirus numbers, Gov. JB Pritzker Wednesday used his daily briefing as a soapbox to give those who defy his orders a talking-to.

The governor said if you think there’s nothing he can do to stop you, you’re wrong.

“There will be consequences,” said Pritzker. “Business and individual professionals that are licensed by state agencies will be held accountable for breaching public health orders. Counties that try to reopen in defiance may not be reimbursed by FEMA for damages they cause because they ignored the law.”

Pritzker says the greatest consequence is the harm to one’s own community.

“192 Illinoisans lost their lives to this virus in the past 24 hours. 192. How is that not real to you? More people will get sick and admitted to the hospital and die if we don’t stay the course and follow the guidance the experts have provided,” the governor said.

The 192 deaths is a record for one day in Illinois, contributing to the total of 3,792. The state’s total cases is 84,698.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…