Prairie State Wire

The Illinois Republican Party and the Liberty Justice Center have filed a federal lawsuit against Gov. J.B. Pritzker over his ban on gatherings of 10 or more people.

Tim Schneider, chairman of the Illinois Republican Party, said because of the ban Republicans were forced to hold their quadrennial meeting virtually this year.

"Needless to say while successful, it was not ideal," Schneider said during a virtual news conference. "The Illinois Republican Party is the only check on the Democrats' power, and we are not even allowed to meet."

Schneider said this is a violation of their First Amendment right.

"This isn’t the first time Pritzker has played by a different set of rules," Schneider said. "Now we see him continue to restrict funerals and weddings, but, at the same time, he is marching with protestors on crowded streets. He is ruling Illinois like an unaccountable king where only he gets to decide which violations of his executive order have his blessing."

Schneider said the Illinois Republican Party will not sit idly by while the governor applies a rule for himself and his allies while disallowing everyone else.

"Protestors have the right to exercise their rights but they’re not the only ones," Schneider said. "This hypocrisy has to end. This must end now."

Schneider said he was concerned for the people of Illinois because even when they enter into Phase 4, the move to Phase 5 won't come until a vaccine readily available.

"That means groups of over 50 can't meet in Illinois for anything until a vaccine or treatment, which I believe will cripple the state's economy and small businesses," Schneider said.

Daniel Suhr, a senior associate attorney at the Liberty Justice Center, said it was disappointing that the lawsuit needed to be brought in the first place.

"We litigate on a variety of issues but First Amendment issues are at our heart," Suhr said. "The governor's standards are partially politically based."

Suhr said that under the executive order, 100 people can go to church and shake sanitized hands and sit together, but those same 100 people can't get together to do the same and listen to a 20-minute speech over the upcoming presidential election.

"In fact 11 people can’t do that," Suhr said. "As the law stands right now under the executive order, all non-religious gatherings of more than 10 can't get together. Yet thousands are getting together on the streets to discuss racial injustice, and the governor isn’t looking away at this. In fact he is he’s marching in the streets locked arms, elbow to elbow."

Suhr said every American has the right to free speech and the Constitution does not allow this governor to create special exceptions for churches or protestors because of their high media profile.

"This is what this case is about: equal treatment for all speakers for engaging in the political process and all institutions is the heart of the First Amendment," Suhr said.

Suhr said Phase 4 only bumps the limit of people up to 50.

"A cap of 50 is still a substantial burden on our clients and their ability to hold rallies and caucuses and do their work effectively," Suhr said. "They deserve the same treatment as churches and protestors."