Sangamon Sun

State Sen. Steve McClure (R-Springfield) is in disbelief over what he sees as Gov. J.B. Pritizker’s flawed rationale in dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

“It’s outrageous,”  McClure told the Sangamon Sun of the governor now threatening to get law enforcement involved in instances where small business owners seek to defy his stay-at-home order by moving to reopen their businesses prior to when his "Restore Illinois" plan has outlined. “I think it’s especially crazy since he has been freeing violent criminals during the pandemic like child murderers and now he says the only crime we need to be concerned with is someone trying to open up their business to be able to feed their family.”

Infuriating people all the more, McClure said the governor really hasn’t offered measure justifying his actions.

“There’s no explanation for what he’s doing and he continues to not allow anyone to see the data he claims to be basing it on,” he said. “I’m now asking for public hearings, because people need to be able to go to work to make a living for themselves and everything this governor is putting forth keeps changing.”

While the governor has already stressed that the state is in Phase 2 of his plan, he quickly adds he doesn’t envision the state moving to the plan's Phase 5, allowing for the full reopening of the state economy, until a vaccine or highly effected novel coronavirus treatment is found.    

With the General Assembly expected to be back in session this month, McClure said he is just hoping that lawmakers can finally have their voices heard on the issue.

“I’m hoping we’ll have a say and are able to make improvements,” he said. “Right now, none of what the governor’s doing is in line with what the national experts are saying.”