Prairie State Wire

Several House Republicans called for a change of Gov. J.B Pritzker's policies for reopening Illinois during a May 14 press conference, instead advocating for a quick and safe regional reopening plan. 

Rep. Tim Butler (R-Springfield) said the governor should not threaten withholding federal tax "pass thru" funding to local communities.

"That’s just ridiculous," Butler said. "These are largely formula funds that are filed out and for the governor to hold that over our head, I think it’s ridiculous he would do that. I think the reason we are seeing so many communities and counties and regions step forward is because the state is passing up the governor on this."

Butler said that, yes, people want to save lives but they also want to save their livelihoods.

"For some people to not be allowed to open until June, July or August, they are having to close permanently," Butler said. "This is where the governor is wrong. He’s not stepping up to the plate on the economic side of this and putting it the same way as the health side of it."

Rep. Mike Murphy (R-Springfield) said it shouldn’t have taken so long for the state legislature to be called back into session to address the unintended consequences of the one-size-fits-all approach he claims is devastating families and small businesses across central Illinois during the pandemic.

"The Bank of Springfield contacted myself and Rep. Butler about offering their center as a safe social distancing environment and I’m pleased that offer has finally been taken up," Murphy said. "Now it’s time to get to work. The governor’s Restore Illinois plan doesn’t allow for enough input from informed local officials to be a part of the decision making process."

Murphy said, fortunately, Pritzker said he was open to input from locals for the path forward to safely open Illinois regionally.

"I hope he stands by that," Murphy said. "Numerous small businesses of all types have been working closely with public health professionals to ensure they can open quickly and safely to provide services and jobs and a safe environment."

Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) said one of the things House Republicans have been trying to obtain data from the governor for a long time.

"We keep hearing science this and science that," Davidsmeyer said. "The issue we have as a co-equal branch of government is that we do not have access to that data."

Davidsmeyer said despite making requests for the data, they have set to receive it.

"We’ve been requesting any info the governor has been using to make his decisions," Davidsmeyer said. "We’ve requested to speak with the epidemiologist. He says 'no' and tells us to listen to his press conferences."

Davidsmeyer said he's made multiple requests for the data.

"I have yet to see any response to some of my requests and I am prepared today to send out FOIA requests, which gives the department seven business days to respond to my questions," Davidsmeyer said. "I expect to receive some real, factual information because right now I am wondering if we are basing our decisions on science or a consultant hired by the governor."

Rep. Avery Bourne (R-Raymond) said she is disappointed that Democrats have not intention to initiate measures regarding Pritzker's authority.

"A member of the House Democrats this week said he doubts the House will take up any measure that would limit the governor’s authority on this and that's disappointing," Bourne said. "This isn’t a partisan call."

Bourne said both Republicans and downstate Democrats have voiced preference to speeding the governor's reopening plan. 

"We have downstate Democrats and local officials across the state that have asked for a safe quickening of the governor’s plan," Bourne said. "Saying that we want to immediately reopen the economy is wrong. This is a bipartisan push from across the state. That’s our role as the legislature is to have that kind of input."

Bourne said Pritzker initially said the regions he enacted across the state were set in stone.

"I think this is something the legislature should take up," Bourne said. "We're seeing a push across the state—this isn’t just downstate."