State Senator Scott Bennett of Champaign says he is pleased with Governor JB Pritzker’s decision to withdraw his emergency rule Wednesday, which would have penalized businesses for reopening early.
‘’Business owners are eager to get back to work under our economic circumstances,’’ said Bennett. ‘’If the rule had been enacted, the consequences would have been severe. Even proposing this rule created unnecessary fear for business owners just trying to get by,’’ added Senator Bennett. The rule would have allowed for fines up to $2,500 for businesses caught violating the executive order.
State Senator Jason Barickman of Bloomington thinks public outcry over the Governor’s enforcement rule led to the change. ‘’I’m often asked by the members of the public whether their voice matters. The answer every day, and especially today, is that it does,’’ said Barickman. ‘’The public outcry over this overreach made all the difference,’’ he added. ‘’This is also why we should demand public hearings on the Governor’s stay-at-home order. Decisions of this magnitude, that will affect not only the health of everyone in Illinois, but their economic well-being as well, should not be made unilaterally behind closed doors. The legislature needs to weigh in on the plan,’’ added Senator Barickman.
