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In
March 2020, Pritzker issued his first COVID-19 executive order
limiting economic activity. That was followed by an order
prohibiting in-person education.
Since May 2020, he’s unilaterally modified his initial reopening
plan several times.
But, more than a year later some state operations continue to be
closed to the public for in-person services, such as the
Illinois Department of Employment Security, which handles
unemployment claims and benefits.
On Thursday, Pritzker announced dates to partially reopen more
by May 14 and a full reopening by June 11.
“Except making sure that we’re still masking so we can protect
those who are vaccinated and unvaccinated can protect everyone
else,” Pritzker said.
The governor said the state will follow the CDC’s COVID-19
recommendations for face coverings. It’s unclear if the governor
will file another round of emergency rules for businesses to
enforce the statewide mask mandate. His most recent emergency
rule expires on June 3.
The Democratic majority at the statehouse has been mostly
hands-off for the past 14 months with some saying the governor’s
done a good job.
House Majority Leader Greg Harris, D-Chicago, didn’t have a
problem with the legislature largely letting the governor
regulate economic activity over the past 14 months.
“The governor has been executing his authority under the law and
protecting people during a public health emergency and I’m very
pleased with how he’s done it,” Harris said.
State Sen. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, who’s running for the
Republican nomination for governor, said the legislature's
failure to check the governor’s authority is an abdication of
duty.
“The Legislature ultimately has control of this process,” Bailey
said. “To ignore it is a shame and it causes much damage to a
constitutional republic.”
While Pritzker says his moves were for the health of the state,
Bailey said the governor’s unilateral actions have hurt the
state.
“It’s destroying our businesses, it’s destroyed our schools,
it’s created a lot of emotional, physical problems,” Bailey
said. “And now we’re to a point where it’s creating division,
period.”
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