Illinois House Rep. not impressed with how Gov. Pritzker is defending emergency order

Posted on May 19, 2020
Gov. JB Pritzker Monday said an emergency rule on his “stay home and stay closed orders” allows local police to issue a citation to businesses. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois House Republicans are not impressed with how Gov. JB Pritzker is defending an emergency order he issued late Friday that allows local police to issue citations to businesses violating his orders.

State Rep. Deanne Mazzochi (R-Elmhurst) spoke at a news conference Tuesday. “Our governor unilaterally decided to criminalize some businesses and the people who work there. He did it not with their consent, not with a new law, and not even with a court order, but just because that’s what he wants, and he says so.”

“This additional enforcement tool, this citation,” Pritzker said Monday, “causes less harm to a business than a total shutdown or a loss of license. It gived local governments and law enforcement the ability to do their job.”

State Rep. Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego) added that this could have been handled in the legislature. Wheeler co-chairs the co-chair of the Joint Commission on Administrative Rules, which Wednesday could make the rule permanent.

The governor says his intent is to cite these businesses, not jail the owners. Those holding the news conference don’t necessarily believe him.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]. 

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