KELLY v. LIGHTFOOT, PRITZKER: LAWSUIT OPENS DOOR TO MILLIONS IN COVID-19 DAMAGES FOR BUSINESSES, EMPLOYEES

CHICAGO, IL. (ECWd) –

PRESS RELEASE:

CHICAGO, IL – June 30, 2020 – Republican William J. Kelly has just filed a lawsuit in the Circuit Court of Cook County, Chancery Division against Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Kelly, the host of the Citizen Kelly Show on AM 1590 WCGO and 95.9 FM, is the organizer of an online petition effort and has collected 138,000 signatures of Illinois residents, business owners and religious leader who allege they have been harmed by COVID-19 restrictions on the life and liberties.

Kelly says that, so far, other suits that have been filed have not been effective, “We are doing this for the people of Illinois. Every other lawsuit has, so far, missed the mark. Lives are being destroyed. People are going bankrupt. Mayor Lightfoot and Gov. Pritzker must pay a price for the terrible harm they’ve caused to people’s lives and liberties.”

The extensive four-count lawsuit, filed by Kelly and other injured parties and which is available for download here, is a complaint for declaratory, injunctive and other relief.

If Kelly’s lawsuit is successful, injured business owners and individuals who have lost their jobs or income due to Mayor Lightfoot and Gov. Pritzker’s illegal actions, will be able to sue for damages for violations of their civil rights. Estimated damages would be in the millions of dollars.

The complaint contends that Lightfoot falsely claimed that she issued executive orders to shutdown Chicago and Chicago’s Lakefront, parks, river walks, trails and beaches but she did not have the authority to act. Chicago residents and businesses were threatened and punished by the City of Chicago unlawfully in violation of their civil rights. Lightfoot relies on Pritzker’s executive orders, which are currently the subject of challenges in other suits, as the basis of her authority and, yet, her restrictions on business far exceed those in State of Illinois guidelines. Nothing in Illinois statute or Chicago municipal law gives Mayor Lightfoot or Gov. Pritzker this authority – especially without vote of the Illinois General Assembly or the Chicago City Council.

For more information about the complaint or to speak to the filing attorney, please contact Laura at (312) 620-0671 or email William Kelly at [email protected]