Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Sheriffs' Association (ISA) criticized Gov. J.B. Pritzker for  "threatening retaliation” in a Facebook statement following the Governor's March 14 press briefing regarding enforcement of stay-at-home orders.

"Illinois Sheriffs have been elected by their local citizens to keep their communities safe, a trust that every sheriff and sworn law enforcement officer holds dear," the Facebook statement read. "It is outrageous that the Governor is threatening retaliation against these leaders and the men and women of their offices. He is insulting heroic police officers, corrections officers and local voters."

Pritzker indicated that law enforcement personnel would "face consequences" regarding their statements involving enforcing his executive orders, the Facebook post continued.

"Apparently, these consequences now include the threat of litigation and loss of funding, including funding that has been designated through the Federal Cares Act that was designated to units of local government," the post stated. "The Governor and his office have repeatedly talked about consulting organizations/groups of impacted experts on issues as they arise."

The Facebook post said that the neither the ISA, nor any state sheriffs were consulted or included in the Governor's decisions.

"It is extremely frustrating to hear these continued comments in response to those that may not agree with his positions," the post stated. "Sheriffs were elected by their counties to keep them safe and they will continue to do so."

Capitol Fax reports that Pritzker also said the following during the press briefing regarding additional enforcement actions:

"Also know that there were leaders in the legal community this morning that spoke about the challenges that will be brought to those local law enforcement to local governments and to businesses that are open, because they’re putting people at risk, they’re making their communities unsafe, and they’ll be subject to liability as a result."