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March 28, 2024

Illinois Governor Pritzker’s emergency rule change locks down the state for 150 days, makes criminals out of those who violated new rules

By Kirk Allen & John Kraft

On May 16, 2020

Illinois (ECWd) –

It appears the Governor is realizing his Executive Orders are not laws and they violate people’s Constitutional rights.

What is the norm in Illinois when elected officials get exposed for violating the law?  Change the law.

In this case, change the rules and make criminals out of the very people that are the economic engine in this state.

Not only do these new suggested rules invoke criminal penalties, but they also are to last 150 days and are being pushed through in an Emergency provision for such rule changes, meaning the public has little say about it. Let that sink in. Under these proposed rules it appears the Governor intends to continue with his oppressive overreach and lock this state down into the middle of October.

If approved, the Illinois Department of Public Health would be enacting an Emergency Rule establishing criminal penalties for violating what appears to be Governor Pritzker’s Executive Orders.  This action points to his desperation and an admission his EOs had no enforcement power outside of those given in the law, which were limited to the Illinois Emergency Managment Agency.  According to the Emergency Rule, violating IDPH rules will constitute a Class A Misdemeanor, which includes a fine and/or imprisonment. County State’s Attorneys will be charged with bringing the charges – but it is already well-established, a State’s Attorney has prosecutorial discretion when it comes to charging someone with a crime. (See section 8.1 of Public Health Act)

One thing we noticed on first reading, is the exemption for Airports and Hospitals having sit-down restaurants. We understand the hospitals, but why is it OK for an airport restaurant to serve sit-down customers, but not OK for any other restaurants in this state to serve sit-down customers? This provision points to a Constitutional issue of discrimination.

We also noticed there are no exceptions for indoor fitness rooms in hotels in this new rule. We exposed Pritzker’s discrimination of private fitness centers in this article.  Discriminatory because fitness centers in Hotels were open, to include hotels tied to Pritzker’s Business. This new rule would close all hotel fitness centers as we understand it. Is this a case of break the law, change the law after being exposed?

Not surprising from this group of legal beagles is the fact it ignores the Regulatory Flexibility provision found in the Rulemaking process guidelines.

The IAPA requires agencies to take particular notice of the impact a proposed rulemaking has on small businesses, small municipalities, and non-profit organizations and to attempt to minimize the economic burden the rulemaking may impose on these entities.

Just reading the proposed rules it is clear the economic burden such a rule imposes on small businesses and small municipalities is devastating.  If the businesses are shut down as proposed they have little or no financial ability to make ends meet, which includes paying of property tax that these municipalities operate under. Those very taxes ensure the people have Emergency Services such as Fire, Police, Ambulance, and yes, a local Health Department.  It appears adopting such a rule all but guarantees the economic collapse of Illinois.

We believe The JCAR committee should bring this rule to a screeching halt through the Objection and Suspension procedures outlined in the rulemaking process.

“An Objection to an emergency or peremptory rule indicates that JCAR finds the rule is not consistent with statute, has an adverse economic impact on small businesses, small municipalities, and non-profit organizations, or fails to meet some other standard established by the IAPA.”

“A Suspension of an emergency or peremptory rule, in conjunction with an Objection, stops the rule from being enforced based on JCAR’s finding that the rule is contrary to the public interest, safety or welfare and/or that there is no legitimate reason for the agency to have used emergency or peremptory rulemaking.”

Anyone in their right mind should see that this proposed rule has an adverse economic impact on small businesses.  This is extremely important to understand because the very Pandemic and Influenza plan adopted by the state speaks to this point as it relates actions that damage the economy.

“Even if somewhat effective in controlling influenza in large populations, it would not be feasible to implement and enforce with available resources and would damage the economy by reducing the workforce.”

If the adopted pandemic plan understands you don’t keep people quarantined because it would damage the economy, the parallel is you don’t close businesses as that destroys our economy even further.  (Article on the Pandemic Influenza Plan)

Of interest is what appears to be a due process provision within the rulemaking process.

“An agency, JCAR, the Governor, an affected local government, 25 interested individuals, or an association representing at least 100 interested persons may request that the Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity perform an analysis of the proposed rulemaking to determine this impact.”

We suspect there are far more than 25 interested individuals that will request the applicable analysis if this rule is adopted.

Prior to the rule, a person or business could exercise their due process rights, force the Health Department to obtain a court order, and only if they continued operating after a Judge ordered them closed would they be subject to arrest and prosecution. Our reading of this rule is that those due process rights placing the burden on the government to prove they can shut you down have now shifted.  Now, this rule shuts you down without any due process and if you open, they make you a criminal.

We believe this action is a clear indicator that Governor Pritzker is realizing very quickly his actions were not consistent with law and his last hope is to change the rules.  Such action confirms what we have said all along, the law does not provide him the power he thinks he has.

We suspect there will be a substantial push back on this rule to include legal action if adopted.

We note there is nothing on the Agenda for action to be taken on this matter during the next JCAR meeting, Wednesday, May 2020.

DPH rules make criminals out of businesses

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95 Comments
  • John
    Posted at 00:15h, 17 May

    This is BULLSHIT! Any law The Governor makes that does not conform to our Constitution is NOT VALID! Our US Constitution is the highest law of this land above the Governor because we the people are his Boss, he works for us. We will not stay locked down until he has crashed our economy. He will soon see that our Constitution has teeth too!

    • gig48
      Posted at 13:32h, 17 May

      John, agree with you and yet we can’t fire him. He needs to be recalled but that would never happen because of the procedure for recall. For now we must resist in every way possible the infringement on our rights and our freedom. Thank you Edgar County Watchdogs for reporting and giving us information needed to #saveIllinois

      • CAD
        Posted at 23:34h, 17 May

        Can somebody please explain to me where/how the author arrived at the 150 days figure (Mid October?) Some people are claiming that this is not accurate information, that it is fake news. Thanks for your help

        • cad
          Posted at 00:57h, 18 May

          I may have answered this myself. I think I read the 150 days in the rule text or in the penalty section. Will have to check those!

  • jeannine keller
    Posted at 00:22h, 17 May

    he is an idiot ! taking away peoples rights and trying to inflict socialsim .! if i was in illinois again i would not care what you say ill do as i want .im 65 yrs old .you are just after the money nancy pelosi promised the dem states , you are trying everything in your power to get it .

  • Dave
    Posted at 06:29h, 17 May

    The IDPH is part of the Illinois state government’s executive branch and as such cannot yield more power than the Governor is constitutionally granted. Just like the governor cannot lawfully suspend our constitutionally secured Bill of Rights, neither can the IDPH. The Illinois general assembly cannot lawfully grant the IDPH super authority, more authority than the governor holds. We have a government of the people, by the people, for the people. It is the people who, thru our Illinois constitution tells the Illinois govt how much power they have over us. We didn’t make any branch of state govt all powerful, State govt cannot make our constitutionally protected rights illegal and persecute Illinois citizens with punitive punishments for using our rights.

    The state constitution’s Bill of Rights protects our property rights and restrains state govt from trampling on them!

    A Lesson on Protecting Property Rights
    The governor has no authority to bankrupt small business owners
    The government didn’t build this.
    The government doesn’t own this.
    Therefore they don’t have a proper authority to close this.
    Time to understand & stand for our Rights

    The governor has no lawful authority to shutdown businesses or bankrupt small business owners.

    It appears to me the governor’s legal team lacks competency

  • Alexis Coquillard
    Posted at 06:41h, 17 May

    Kirk Allen, are you concerned about public health or making trouble? Given that there is basically no leadership in Washington during this pandemic, the governors of each individual state have had to lead. Would you rather have money in your pocket and be dead or have your life and not have so much money?

    • Kirk Allen
      Posted at 07:51h, 17 May

      Most interesting question. When did reporting the truth equate to making trouble?

      • David Haddon
        Posted at 08:18h, 17 May

        The article is partisan in nature and polarizing in the it incites hatred from one side to the other and vice versa. Hate Pritzker is the message.
        Pritzker took your job. Pritzker took the food out of kids mouth. Pritzker, Pritzker, Pritzker. Pritzker nor his administration finds joy in striping the livelihood out from under people. He is doing what he can and believes to be right in trying to protect people as the virus numbers keep rising. In lieu of writing an article that is clearly one sided and intended to start fighting between people let’s try and take politics out of the equation and work together. This is no time for politics. Seriously sick and tired of it and everybody that continues to feed into this as people die.

        • Kirk Allen
          Posted at 08:40h, 17 May

          I would urge you take a few courses on Constitutional Rights and then you might realize this has nothing to do with politics but rather rule of law. Please don’t waste my time with the politics argument as we exposed Rauner and his family when they used state resources in their campaign work. This matter has NOTHING to do with politics.

          • David Haddon
            Posted at 10:12h, 17 May

            Kirk, clearly I hit a nerve and that wasn’t the point but respectfully it has everything to do with politics and that is the problem. I agree with you, it shouldn’t but it does. Want proof, just look at your comments section and tell me politics doesn’t play a role. Here are a few word for word from your comments section ….. ‘He is an idiot’, ‘are you concerned about public health or making trouble’, ‘Illinois is a “test” state for the new one world order. The push for their agenda ….’

            I read your article like everybody else so clearly I am not the only one who felt politics is playing a role here. Maybe it was the way it was written or maybe your message was genuine but the political landscape is so divided now that a reasonable conversation, regardless of how your write about it, is no longer possible? And if that is the case whose fault is that? Answer: Our political leaders….both state and fed levels, dems and repubs.

            Unfortunately, in today’s society and political climate, politics and the rule of law/constitution, state’s rights and responsibilities versus the fed gov’t go hand-in-hand (whether we like it or not). Our President thought he had full authority to reopen the states, he didn’t and had to be corrected publicly . Did he continue/start to lead after that? Did he still try and coordinate the states for a nationwide attack on this virus? Or, was the message disingenuous and political in nature? Republican governors good, democrat governors bad. Essentially that was the message and that message divides in a time when we need to come together. Your article may not have intended to be about politics
            but at the end of day, especially with an election coming, it is all politics.

            If what you and your organization do truly isn’t partisan in nature, I would love to learn more but you/me/we/all of us have to be careful how messages are communicated.

          • gig48
            Posted at 13:29h, 17 May

            Kirk Allen, totally agree and appreciate all the reporting. Our laws are being broken against citizens. Thank you!

          • Sarah
            Posted at 14:46h, 17 May

            Actually, you are both wrong. It is the job of individuals to look out for individuals. When have you ever known government — state or federal — to handle something and not mess it up or make it worse? And, those are the guys you want to handle this? The real reason we are in this situation has very little to do with whether the federal or state government should be in charge of the response and much more to do with the fact that people nowadays are lazy, fearful idiots who are all too willing to give up personal responsibility and the freedom that comes with it.

          • JimboSlice
            Posted at 01:31h, 18 May

            I urge you to take a basic civics class and maybe you’d see how your “iTs NoT pOliTiCs” crap makes no sense.

        • josh
          Posted at 10:28h, 17 May

          the issue isn’t politics the issue is he’s destroying peoples lives. a restraunt near me closed after 32 years and won’t be reopening. small businesses do not have a chance to survive being closed down and if anyone actually looks into unemployment its not available to self employed individuals meaning mom and pop buisnesses can not apply for unemployment. before we say he’s doing what’s right for us let’s think about that statement we have well educated people across Illinois pritzker isn’t the only one with a brain. different counties are in different phases of his plan we can’t just look at one or two highly effected areas and deem the rest of the state in the same way. he is leaning towards a communist ruling vs a democracy while we all suffer he makes millions while small business shut their doors big corporations just made 38billion in 2 months. pritzker can even make money off the vaccine he owns stock in a business that owns it .. now before politics thinking of we the people and not some politicians pocket book this is the most unlawful ruling there will be in Illinois

          • gig48
            Posted at 13:28h, 17 May

            josh, totally agree. Like it or not it’s politics whether left or right. JBP is destroying Illinois slowly and methodically. People better wake up. JBP is a rich kid who never really worked. He’s got money invested all over along with the Hyatt Hotels he and his sister inherited. I said to another poster, how about reporting how many do not have the virus? For instance Macon County breaking news yesterday was 2 new covid cases confirmed. Well the population is 196,004 so how about saying 196,002 didn’t have covid. It’s all the spin to back JBP by liberal news which is why I am canceling my subscription. Tired of it.

            Note that South Dakota didn’t shut down and they reported 4 covid cases per 100,000 population.

            We have family and friends driving to Indiana to shop and to dine in sit down restaurants. If we could we’d relocate from Illinois. We can’t right now but plan to. For now, we’re fighting the communist unrealistic JBP and his tyranny.

        • PK
          Posted at 13:27h, 17 May

          Having derived no message of hatred from the article or its author, I respectfully disagree, Mr. Haddon. From reading various other articles posted here, along with examining the supporting documents and recordings often linked, I receive a consistant message for government accountability from Mr. Allen and the ECWd. 100% bias free reporting is hard news striving against impossible. Again, I have not received the message of hatred or partisanhip you convey.

      • David Wellendorf
        Posted at 11:39h, 17 May

        Since forever.

    • Brandon
      Posted at 08:50h, 17 May

      He’s concerned about the gross overreach of power by both the governor and IDPH, free thinking people have he right to make decisions for themselves. What makes either entity more qualified the me to make decisions for me? Next, if you’re relying of government for leadership then you lost the fight before it began. Thats not governments job, its yours so be an active member in your own life and stop relying of government to do everything for you. And yes I would rather the economy of the state and country not collapse because of poor policy decisions. This virus has a 99% survival rate and has been mostly benign in every single state. Believe it or not you want people to get sick, thats how epidemics and pandemics are stopped, when everyones immune systems can’t fight a virus then few none die. You blatant lack of intelligence and inability to reason using logic shows that you are too ignorant to voice any sort of legitimate response to this article. You are either purposefully or willfully blinding yourself to what’s happened world wide which furthers my point that you want nothing more then to propagate mass hysteria and a leftist anti-American, ant-constitution, anti-freedom agenda under the guise of false security by a government who doesn’t care about you. Must be nice to be so indoctrinated and not educated.

      • David Haddon
        Posted at 10:40h, 17 May

        See, this is the problem….’You blatant lack of intelligence and inability to reason using logic’. Even if you disagree with me, Why such anger? I am not leftist or rightist even though you accuse me of being leftist leaning but why was that comment even made? I thought this wasn’t political?!? I have voted both dems and repubs over the years. I didn’t agree with everything Bush did but I voted for him a couple of times. Tell me there wasn’t over reach by his administration! I continued to support him because I believed he was doing the best he could to keep the nation safe. I didn’t ever feel there were ulterior motives. We are divided more now than ever and there is a reason for that…..we have to be careful what we say, how articles are written, what political shows we watch, where we get our information etc. It is all political.

        What makes either entity more qualified the me to make decisions for me? It’s called the rule of law or there would be chaos otherwise. We elect officials to create laws/govern and police enforce. Why do you not speed or drive drunk? Because our laws are written to keep us all safe. You may not always agree with elected officials but that is what elections are for. I don’t like the new tax laws but I abide by them. Want to keep elected officials in check? Then let’s keep them all in check from the fed level to local. Not dems or repubs but all of them and institute term limits so no one garners more power than they should. Again, this is all political whether we want to admit it or not. Am I still being too leftist? (Rhetorical, don’t answer)

        • Dave
          Posted at 18:53h, 17 May

          You obviously have a left-wing agenda; state govt doesn’t have absolute power. The Bill of Rights in the Illinois constitution protects our rights from a usurping governor Pritzker….. you should read it sometime so you can make intelligent statements about rule of law.. Your obvious anger over the WatchDogs reporting the truth is blinding you to constitutional truth

          • Ellie Mae
            Posted at 23:27h, 17 May

            David, much of what you wrote sounds like the ‘put up or shut up’ attitude, as if We the People don’t have a voice. As for term limits, I agree in theory, but at this point it is accomplished by voting. Everyone of these politicians should be held accountable. I don’t think anyone is disputing that. It’s not ‘political’ as you say, if politicians, regardless of the party affiliation, are held accountable.

    • G
      Posted at 10:55h, 17 May

      This is not an either/or issue. Getting the virus is not automatic death. Surely there is middle ground. In Florida they are doing just fine with limited restrictions and people are not dying in droves as in Illinois. Apparently, all these punitive restrictions imposed by the bully governor are not working except that businesses are being driven to death.

      • gig48
        Posted at 13:22h, 17 May

        G, agree with you. South Dakota didn’t shut down at all and reported 4 cases per 100,000 population. JBP is trying to turn Illinois into a communist state. He’s doing more damage to Illinois than the virus. I’d like to see honest reporting. The Decatur Herald has constant updates all day long called “breaking news”. Typically it’s the same message as hours before and that is for instance “2 new covid cases in Macon County (1 being at that nursing home with so many deaths of aged and sick residents)”. How about reporting for instance, “Macon County has 196,004 residents and today 2 were confirmed to have the virus”. People need to stop and think about the population of each city and the true number of cases before getting all shook up.

        I’m planning to stop my subscription due to their bias for JBP and against the President.

        Television stations and newspapers are “conditioning” by constant updates, constants adds of “we’re in this together”, “all in”. Just stop it. But they want to make the masses afraid, hunker down at home and wait on a government hand out, soup lines will be next if JBP isn’t stopped in his communist tracks.

        • JimboSlice
          Posted at 01:20h, 18 May

          You dont know what the word communism means, you moron.

    • PK
      Posted at 14:46h, 17 May

      To the ‘indentured or dead’ argument, I’d rather develop a keen awareness for axing contact spreading from touching surfaces like door handles, hand rails, and currency. Being vigilant to move about at arms lenght is better than sheltering in place too. Rather than die trying otherwise, why not allow others to do better practicing these same preventions?

      20 seconds is the recommendation for time at a single hand-washing…3 more times per day is an easy minutes spend most days this 2020.

      Have the respective ‘fatality avoidance’ agencies of the Illinois governor further enabled the CDC handwashing recommendation by tasking steps to welcome the increased demand for handwashing by assuring state operated facilities and interstate rest stops have reliable warm water and plenty of soap?

    • Emily
      Posted at 01:43h, 18 May

      I’d rather have both. The thing is is that with proper precautions you can have both. Having all the box stores supermarkets all these things open prove that. When you can go on the Walmart stay for an hour or go to the grocery store to get groceries have everybody up on you because they are, it proves that we can open the economy and take precautions such as wearing mask, wearing gloves, if necessary putting a shield over your face, physical distancing, and making sure that your patient with your neighbor. These are things we can do being out in the public have proven this.

      It’s amazing that when March rolled around in elections rolled around he did not stop the economy he did not stop voting from happening. I don’t think either side is right at this point however, we need to help people that really just want to get back to work and help the economy. At this point we’re not able to pay taxes because we’re not working so without taxes there’s no way to run the state and the federal government. This is nothing but a Shakedown honestly and pritzker’s gambling with our lives.

  • Cindy
    Posted at 07:49h, 17 May

    Illinois is a “test” state for the new one world order. The push for their agenda will be the STRONGEST you will ever see in this state. We knew the corruption in Illinois was rampant since the beginning of time. This just proves it beyond the shadow of any doubt. Talking about lack of competency or such just ignores what they are really doing. This is ALL on PURPOSE! It’s a mind game. Bullies depend on your fear. They never had any power, they depend on your being intimidated to pull off their scams. Looks like a lot of people never learned anything in kindergarten because I can see a lot of people full of fear over bully bogeymen.

    • JimboSlice
      Posted at 01:25h, 18 May

      Actually, red states are the most corrupt. Dont believe me? Look at a list of the most corrupt states. Alabama and Mississippi top them. Illinois is number 19. I hope you get covid, you ignorant bitch.

      • PK
        Posted at 10:34h, 18 May

        Calling discussion thread monitor to account on JimboSlice comment for ill will and language.

      • jwontheriver
        Posted at 16:04h, 18 May

        Jimbo must be a Yankee

    • Smarter Than Most Here
      Posted at 14:13h, 18 May

      That’s tooooo funny!!!!!

  • Pam Lamont
    Posted at 08:27h, 17 May

    OMG really! Maybe if Trump would of done his job and not pushed the responsibility to the states we would not have any issue. The White House should have done their job and organized an opening plan with what consequences would be had if not followed. But they could not organize even the purchasing of PPE or testing so how could we count on them to actually do this. Of course he did this so he could blame the states and cause more chaos and divisiveness like this! I am sick of this crap and you people falling for it! You want to blame someone? Blame the President!!!

    • jmkraft
      Posted at 08:35h, 17 May

      It is not the job of the Feds.

      • David Haddon
        Posted at 09:44h, 17 May

        It is not the job of our Gov’t to help coordinate a national response during an emergency? It is not the job of our leader, the leader of the free world, to help facilitate a plan? A true leader steps in and rises to the challenge on behalf of his/her constituents, on behalf of the nation. Of course it is. JMKRAFT, if you are referring to the rule of law alone then I get it, at the end of the day it is up to the state to govern their state but in unprecedented times like these, a guiding light of the gov’t to help coordinate wouldn’t be such a bad thing. Pam is right, The White House did drop the ball. Their message has been off point, partisan and continues to be. The message today is political (in an effort to protect their political power which is currently in jeopardy) and it continues to cause division in this nation. We do not need politics, we need leadership.

        • T v
          Posted at 10:42h, 17 May

          Please understand, as soon as Trump tried to do that, he had lawsuits against him from states. The media was pushing that “he cant do this! States have rights!” And now, we are hearing exactly what you are pushing. It contradicts what was pushed 6 weeks ago. Its another case of Trump is wrong either way. Its unfortunate that its this way. I genuinely think that if people used rational thought instead of emotions, they wouldn’t take Liberal polititions words as facts. The truth is not hard to find my friend. Please do research without media bias. If you do, I promise you wont hate and blame the President for everything……

      • Andrew Mehrhoff
        Posted at 11:24h, 17 May

        Completely agree. It’s the first time in history all of these governors have really had to work. Some like like the governors of CA, NY, and IL are failing miserably with a top down one size fits all approach.

        • PK
          Posted at 13:38h, 17 May

          The MI Court of Claims is also hearing their Legislature’s case.

      • Lisa N. Thomas
        Posted at 15:19h, 17 May

        It is the job of “WE THE PEOPLE” and those who represent us!

      • Ed
        Posted at 15:37h, 17 May

        The constitution gives the states to make their own decisions.Right or wrong, that’s how it is
        Further more, the state has to ask for help from the feds. Illinois has always been the last to ask for any help or follow any federal laws.

      • Marie Buschenko
        Posted at 17:21h, 17 May

        Oh no! You are completely wrong, Pam. For starters, you better change your tune in blaming China. Also, Trump handling all of this would have made the democrats heads explode by yelling overreach. It’s funny how the Republican-led states are opening with more cases and even some FEW dem states. Each state governs their own state. I didn’t vote for JP and for all of you that did, you voted businesses out of business. He’s not even using science. He’s making it up as he goes along each day. His numbers aren’t matching IDPH. We all know how to mask, keep distant and wash our hands. If you consider an abortion a necessity, while mammograms were put on hold along with other medical treatment, you’re what’s wrong with this country. I now need TWO root canals and the dentist is not even sure if he can save these two teeth because he was unable to see me. So, don’t blame Trump. I can guarantee you if attorney Barr needs to get involved, you’ll be one of the first ones to bitch.

      • Kathy Smith Green
        Posted at 20:51h, 19 May

        LOL sure not the guy who’s actually causing the problem. smh

    • Kirk Allen
      Posted at 08:41h, 17 May

      Am I to understand you think the Federal Government should be in charge of the State’s?

      • David Haddon
        Posted at 10:56h, 17 May

        In some cases yes. The gov’t, from a military standpoint and international relations does represent the states. In this case I am not saying the gov’t shld be in charge of the states but with a pandemic this large. a little help coordinating the nationwide effort would be a good thing for all of us. A little help doesn’t mean dictate, it means helping to coordinate. Further to that point, states cannot run deficits, the Fed Gov’t can. With a pandemic this large as evidenced by the stimulus bills passed and more coming, the gov’t does have a larger role to play than normal.

      • john f morrissey
        Posted at 12:13h, 19 May

        They need to protect our constitutional rights from these tyrants.

    • jannie
      Posted at 10:21h, 17 May

      I agree – if the Feds would have some sort of leadership instead of each state fighting for stuff and doing their “own thing” we wouldn’t have such a mess. If the Prez wouldn’t have cut funding when he first came in we might have been more prepared.

      • Dave
        Posted at 11:42h, 17 May

        WHERE IN THE US CONSTITUTION DID IT GRANT THE PRESIDENT THAT AUTHORITY?

      • Justice Seeker
        Posted at 15:22h, 17 May

        This is the mentality that prevails in our society. It is someone else’s fault. Take responsibility. If Pritzker wanted to lead then he should lead. Destroying lives then blaming the president is not leadership. He is benefitting in a huge way financially and that is all he cares about.

    • T v
      Posted at 10:28h, 17 May

      Well, everyone has the right to their own opinion…… Yours is out of emotions, not facts. Im sorry you feel the way you do. But, you cant blame the president for every little thing because you beleve the deliberate falsehoods of the media. States have rights. The federal government should never be the only decision maker. These types of desionsions must be given back to states. Please do research. You are doing yourself a large injustice by believing all the things the media pushes…… All media is bias….. ALL OF THEM. But, the difference is the Liberal media has pushes their own “facts.” And almost all of it is false to spin a narrative that they want people to believe. (The larger agenda is scary) Im a Data Analyst ….. And all the research data over the years i have done, would turn peoples stomachs. Unfortunately, people use emotions instead of rational thought. We tend to believe things without question that make us angry. We also believe things said by the political party we favor without question or fact checking. Its what politicians hope for. Believe them because they say its true! Their is so much truth out there…… Please do research without media as a source. You will find alot bad about the people you believe, and alot of good about the ones you despise…….

      • Karen
        Posted at 07:46h, 18 May

        Agree 100%! I wish people would wake up, and realize what is really happening, and it is not to save people from dying of Covid-19. People need to learn how to factually research vs media research topics for factual answers. I find it hysterical that we have to mask to go into any open business, under the guise that we are protecting others from infection should we have the virus. Yet, Pritzker won’t let businesses open wearing masks, why? If he claims they work to prevent infection, why are all businesses not opening??? Why isn’t everyone getting back to work? The original plan was to slow down the infection rate of SARS-CoV-2, to not overwhelm the hospitals until vital equipment, and staff could be put into place to handle the load. It has been done, and it was effective, but now by keeping this ridiculous order in place you are killing businesses, and a person’s economic means to survive and prosper. If you have driven any where you will see that numerous small business have already closed for good. Silver spoon had better realize, we go under, he goes under! Stop trying to put us all under to get federal bailout money for Illinois’ constant reckless spending. Cut waste, go lean, and balance your flipping budget! You kept sponging off us by raising taxes to cover your spending, and now you want to sponge off the federal government? I guess this is learned behavior, and what one does when they have a trust fund to sponge off from, for their money. The rest of us work hard for our money, we are not criminals, so stop denying us are unalienable rights! You are giving more rights to criminals than your law abiding citizens, what is wrong with you!

    • Dave
      Posted at 11:40h, 17 May

      Unlike you, Trump understands he is not all powerful. Tenth Amendment
      The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are RESERVED to the States respectively, or to the people.

    • Susan Link
      Posted at 11:52h, 17 May

      The White House and Trump are following the u.s. constitution and maybe you should read it. It says that he is to give the powers in this particular case to the governors of the states. Apparently you are miss informed. Trump has been doing his job and very well not like the guy before him Obama. What a disgrace he was. Get your facts straight and then vote TRUMP 2020.

    • Kathy
      Posted at 12:29h, 17 May

      That’s right, whenever something goes wrong, everyone blames the president. That’s too idiotic for words. The president is not the problem here. Pritzger is the problem.

    • Patricia
      Posted at 12:55h, 17 May

      Exactly

    • Jwontheriver
      Posted at 15:40h, 17 May

      It was deliberately done to show you people what kind of governor Illinois has. Maybe you’ll wake up.

    • MICKEY
      Posted at 15:44h, 17 May

      ARE YA NEW ? THE PRESIDENT DID EXACTLY WHAT HE IS SUPPOSED TO DO SUNSHINE~!! YOUR IGNORANT COMMENT PROVES YOUR NOT EVEN INTELLIGENT ENOUGH TO MAKE A COMMENT TO BEGIN WITH ~!!! GET EDUCATED ON HOW OUR >>>REPUBLIC <<< WORKS ~!!! YOUR THE PROBLEM NOT THE SOLUTION ~!! TURN OFF YOUR F—-N TELEVISION = HATE TRUMP PROPAGANDA CAMPAIGN .. UTTERLY CLUELESS .. THE MAN IS WORKING FOR F—G FREE 14HR DAYS ~!! TAKING MORE IGNORANT S—T THAN ANY PRESIDENT IN OUR HISTORY ~!! TRYING @ THE SAME TIME TO CLEAN UP A CESSPOOL OF CORRUPTION @ ITS HIGHEST LEVELS OF THE DOJ, NSA, CIA, FBI , AND HALF A DOZEN OTHER AGENCIES FILLED WITH TREASONOUS HATE FILLED DEMONCRATS ~!! = GREED ,, POWER,, HATRED,, CORRUPTION,, THEY AND YOU ARE A SICKNESS ~!! IF YOU DON'T LIKE OUR PRESIDENT GTFO ~!! I AM AN INDEPENDENT , I AM NOT SCREAMING (I KNOW YOU ARE LIKELY A CAPS NAZI AS WELL ) I AM DISABLED WITH BAD VISION SO TOUGH S—T IF YOU DON'T LIKE IT IT ..

    • Madeleine
      Posted at 12:12h, 19 May

      The governors whined and loaned when the president said he decided when we open back up. Pritzker was one of the loudest criers along with Cuomo. It’s not up to the Federal Govt to bail out our crappy, corrupt state. Pritzker is going to see that he is overstepping his authority.

  • SuckersRUs
    Posted at 10:22h, 17 May

    The Governor and his gaggle of bureaucrats do not have the power to pass criminal laws. This is a dangerous, reckless Governor. He will soon learn that the real power is with the people.

  • Orwell
    Posted at 10:36h, 17 May

    All of this is a beauty pageant. And we’re at the start of the swimsuit competition.The clearly unconstitutional, illegal and anti-citizen, job-killing rules the governor has promulgated are simply to control people. Governor Pritzker is attempting to establish his bona fides as a progressive socialist, and there’s more to come. He may think he has what it takes for the presidential nomination in 2024. Who knows; he might be right.

  • jannie
    Posted at 10:44h, 17 May

    Our problem in IL is that although the governor divided the state into region, I believe we’re still dominated by Chicago.. It may have been better to have let counties coordinate their openings. My region happens to have some populated areas within – though my county has little amount of virus and is more rural. Iowa, although not official lock down – where my relatives are is just opening up, hair salons appointments only, don’t arrive earlier than appt. etc, etc. Restaurants many still carry out only & those opening have moved tables, limited customer numbers. I wasn’t really a fan of the governor when elected, but I think he’s at least trying to do the best — if he’d said do what you want & everything opened up & many people got sick/died – we’d whine about that. For me, I’m just hanging in there – supporting my local little businesses when I can, in ways I can.

    • Emily
      Posted at 01:25h, 18 May

      I wish we could support all businesses. It’s hard when certain businesses can’t do curbside, etc. Agree with the concept, but we can’t help yhem all. Its unfair that half the state remains closed except for one section.

  • GE ONE
    Posted at 11:27h, 17 May

    The Governor has made the case for dividing Illinois into two separate states. In deep Southern Illinois it is evident we would be better to go it on our own. We won’t get down on bended knee for a Governor that is unstable.

    • JimboSlice
      Posted at 01:28h, 18 May

      Southern illinois would not survive without chicago.

      • rutwood
        Posted at 06:52h, 18 May

        It’s surviving at present, is it not?

        The Criminal Gangs of Chitcago, Nazi government and the Narco Terrorist street gangs (one in the same) will eventually eliminate one another.

        Chiraq would never survive on its own.

      • Emil Kaneti
        Posted at 07:03h, 18 May

        some how IA and IN manage

  • PK
    Posted at 12:30h, 17 May

    As for the Governor’s daily coronavirus marketing campaign, prior to him self-quarantining, can anyone in this discussion thread comment on the small round table placed near the lectern? What significance to these daily updates is the general public to find from that table or the objects placed thereon?

    Practically, the display appeals not to the visually impaired or person who uses a wheelchair. And to persons there in the at times crowded room, it’s a functioning obstacle. As a viewer of these daily briefs, the display very much seems to dispense form over fit and policy over function. Ergonomics, or the study of human factors, is universal among applied sciences, indeed governor.

  • Scott S.
    Posted at 13:44h, 17 May

    The fact of the matter is if these business do not open soon they will be gone for good. My wife and I own a salon with 15 employees. If we cannot open by June 1st, we may go out of business, lose our home and then leave Illinois. This is not what we were planning on doing. We need to reopen WITH safety precautions. What angers me is that there are precautions we can take. We have purchased PPE, sneeze guards, and barriers to ensure it could be as safe as possible. There is always a threat from this virus, but at what point do we try yo move on? Lets work together to come up with a plan to reopen all of these closed businesses. So what if there is no vaccine or treatment by October? Never open again? What good is life if you are just a prisoner in your own home?

    • Rita Blair
      Posted at 17:25h, 17 May

      I’d say gather as many as u can and reopen and stay open. Thats what the churches here in CA are doin on may 31st

      • Scott Ski
        Posted at 18:08h, 17 May

        We are looking at all of our options including doing just as you suggested.

  • David Wellendorf
    Posted at 15:14h, 17 May

    “Even before the pandemic hit, I realized that we were in a revolutionary moment where what would be impossible or even inconceivable in normal times had become not only possible, but probably absolutely necessary,”

  • David Wellendorf
    Posted at 15:17h, 17 May

    “There two types of laws, one is a just law and one is an unjust law. I think we all have moral obligations to obey just laws on the other hand, I think we have moral obligations to disobey unjust laws because non cooperation with evil is just as moral an obligation as cooperation with good.”
    –MLK jr.

  • Aaron
    Posted at 15:55h, 17 May

    I am amazed to see that there are still people who think one can reason with the Illinois democraps. Folks, Illinois democraps are the biggest deniers of constitutional rights in the country. They can’t even obey their own constitution. (Balanced budget) Big Gov and New World Order Lightfoot are trying to make this as bad as possible to get federal bail out money. They say it’s about saving lives but continue to allow abortion. Wake up Illinois.

    • Betty Ann
      Posted at 17:13h, 17 May

      I agree.

    • G Money
      Posted at 01:42h, 18 May

      democraps? how old are you, six? grow up. constitution, constitution, constitution. new world order globalist george soros, abortion (huh?), constitution. tired fox news (sic) made up nothing. what about benghazi? aaron, lift that rod and smack yourself up the side of your head.

      • bobloblaw
        Posted at 07:02h, 18 May

        the fact youre mocking the constitution says it all

      • Aaron
        Posted at 07:33h, 18 May

        G Money,
        https://youtu.be/snUFiKnYCyM

        Facebook lies about what she said. Here it is, decide for yourself. Democrap Lightfoot and the rest of the Illinois machine are made by the cabal. Wake up Illinois.

  • Me
    Posted at 00:53h, 18 May

    Just stop. Jfc. You can go a little while longer without going to a sit down restaurant or bar or whatever the stupid thing is you want to do. So tired of you ignorant people. Just stop.

    • bobloblaw
      Posted at 07:01h, 18 May

      what is the objective of continued lockdowns a this point. The healthcare system is not overwhelmed. So what is the objective? A little while longer and there will be no bars or restaurants to visit.

      • Ernie Wilson
        Posted at 08:26h, 21 May

        are you kidding?? to SAVE LIVES !! Jeeez Are you conspiracy theory people willfully ignorant?

        • LT
          Posted at 09:12h, 21 May

          Except nobody who wants to be safe is being forced out of their home.

    • NMWTLS
      Posted at 08:04h, 18 May

      Who are you to say who is ignorant? Or what exactly is “a little while”? Or what personal choices are “stupid”? I think you have the right to crawl in a hole, pull a rock over it and stay there as long as you want. We should all think about our right to choose and how we are going to live with our choices or if we are okay with our rights being taken away.
      Are we going to live in fear?
      Are we prepared to do this lockdown every season?
      Are we prepared to live like this if the “season” is not finite?
      Are we going to wait with bated breath every flu season for a new vaccine?
      Are we prepared to take more responsibility for our personal health so individually we have a better chance to survive these seasonal viruses?
      If we don’t want to take responsibility for our personal health and well-being, are we prepared to accept the consequences of that choice?
      And if we support state intervention to possibly keep us safe:
      How will we ever pay for people to survive such economic devastation?
      How will we make some people go to work to take care of us while the rest stay home?
      Are we ready to give up constitutional, privacy rights?
      Are we ready to throw HIPPA out the window?
      And finally, how much “enforcement” will we be able to stomach?

    • Michelle
      Posted at 08:06h, 18 May

      People can’t go to a restaurant because they can’t even pay their mortgage or utility bills or feed their family. You obviously have no concept of macroeconomics and how this works. You must be one of those working at home collecting a check. The majority of the population is at home wondering how they’re going to put food on the table because Fred Flintstone is on a power trip. You stay home and eat bon bons. They rest of us will use commons sense, social distance, wear masks and go to work.

      • Lisa
        Posted at 17:59h, 18 May

        I feel people should have the right to choose if they want to go to a Resturant or not. If they can afford it well good for them. If you can’t then maybe your life choices we not the best choice to put you in a better situation. I also understand that some people fall on hard times and there are many programs and organizations that are out there to help.

        It is never necessary for name calling but I do understand frustrations but we all can’t be “retired” and think our economy, state and country will prosper with all of us sitting at home doing nothing. We need to get back to work.

    • HT
      Posted at 09:02h, 18 May

      Great suggestion! Calling people stupid for wanting to live as Americans?

      For clear disclosure, please enlighten how intelligent sheeps like you make a living? Where’s your paycheck coming from?

      Maybe a lot of us ignorant people are the ones that have been paying taxes enough for intelligent pricks like you and the government to have guaranteed paychecks and pensions during this whole shutdown without having to work.

      And, what’s a “little longer?” When will his slob science allow us to get out from under?

      Disclosure please!

    • PK
      Posted at 09:09h, 18 May

      I don’t “need” a haircut, but barber shops beyond state border lines to the North, East, and West are providing that service. Stupid me.

    • Cynthia Emery
      Posted at 20:38h, 18 May

      You’re nuts

  • Tony Harrison
    Posted at 07:42h, 18 May

    This has nothing to do with a virus…..it is perfectly clear to see he wants everyone to have to mail in ballots to vote…..so they can steal millions of votes.

    • Smarter Than Most Here
      Posted at 14:08h, 18 May

      You, sir, are crazy. Take your meds.

  • ahem
    Posted at 09:08h, 18 May

    You wouldn’t recognize a cynical political ploy if it hit you in the head with a Louisville Slugger.

    Apparently, you don’t see how this is devastating the economy of the state and the health and liberty of its citizens; how it will have future negative effects on them that even you—yeah, even you—will suffer from.

    You’re good; no one else matters.

  • ahem
    Posted at 09:13h, 18 May

    Sure it would. Chicago is a millstone around Illinoisians necks. People have imagination and will use it to develop economic alternatives to Chicago. CHicago is run by Communists; the rest of Illinois isn’t. Cut Chicago loose so it can go under by itself; otherwise, it’ll take the rest of the state with it.

  • Conservative Tea
    Posted at 09:13h, 18 May

    It is absolutely outrageous that this is even being considered.

    This is the most blatant affront to the Constitution I have ever encountered and my Constitutional
    right cannot be suspended for the power-mad governor. Apparently his idea of an economic plan
    is “I’m a billionaire, screw you”. We were leaving Illinois anyway but this may speed up the process.

    There’s no way this idiotic and unconstitutional power grab survives a court challenge that is certain
    to follow. I can’t believe Madigan (the REAL governor) is even considering this especially when his
    long-time power base is labor unions who are ALSO out of work.

    If this goes through, brace yourselves for food riots and Chicago will become a REAL war zone insteadof a wannabe war zone. Proceed at your own peril. I’m pretty sure that the founding fathers put the Second Amendment it the Constitution for the possibility of something like like this.

    There’s also no way the federal government won’t step in over this. You are not going to get a bailout from the Federal government. Most of the Illinois population lives close enough to a state line that they can cross the state line and go to their new jobs. In my area virtually everyone can drive across the bridge to Missouri to work; which most have been doing for the entire time that I have resided in Illinois.

  • ahem
    Posted at 09:21h, 18 May

    Pam: Have you ever heard of the 10th Amendment pf the US Constitution? Contrary to what the Democrats tell you, yoiu are not living in a centrally-planned country, like a monarchy, or China, or the old Soviet Union. Our repubklic has a distribution of power between the federal government and the loca state government. It’s an assurance of individual liberty:

    “The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people.”

  • ahem
    Posted at 09:25h, 18 May

    You give up your freedom too easily.

  • James Smet
    Posted at 07:17h, 19 May

    Ultimately, they are holding out for two things, state bailout by the Feds and elections. People are not campaigning due to ambiguity in understanding phases. Limit gatherings, limit political rallies; even small gatherings. Certainly helps dems by limiting opposing voices and debate and especially for the Fed elections. My two cents anyways. I find it hard to imagine any dem will walk off Madigan’s reservation on Wednesday. If this gets voted and passed by committee, I would lastly add; this is the type of scenario that the second amendment was created for. Not something I am advocating for, but that is clearly what it is for.

  • Sandra DeBartolo
    Posted at 10:34h, 20 May

    56 years of Demorat (Democrat) rule was enough to destroy the state and the city of Chicago. Along comes Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot to continue the destruction. Instead of using wisdom in the choice of how to deal with the pandemic, they decided to impose a shut down. A wise way of handling the pandemic would have been to keep the schools open and all of the businesses open. Concentrate on the vulnerable and elderly in Veteran homes, rehabilitation homes, retirement homes and assisted living homes and prisons. Adding to the unemployment numbers will add to the crime in the state, especially in Chicago. Have you considered the Herd
    approach. No. Raise the taxes for whom. How do people who have been laid off and have no
    employment pay for anything.

    The pension question needs to be addressed. There will be no pension for the young who dedicate their life to service of the people. Why? When one retires on the Social Security system ruling one can only receive one social security check either one’s own or that of a deceased spouse, whichever is greater. When a teacher, fireman, police man dies a good percentage of their pension goes to the spouse. Why? Amend the constitution to state that when one dies the pension also dies. There will be many who will be very angry about this. The system is broke. The young who are presently working deserve their share.

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