Prairie State Wire

Illinois Gov., J.B. Pritzker has issued a 30-day disaster declaration for the tenth time, something which has not gone down well with many residents.

The proclamation, among other things, addressed the issue of meetings, suggesting that an attendance of 10 people or more was no longer “feasible,” and the prohibition on price hikes was mentioned.

“Increases in the selling price of goods or services, including medical supplies, protective equipment, medications and other commodities intended to assist in the prevention of or treatment and recovery of COVID-19, shall be prohibited in the State of Illinois while this proclamation is in effect,” the governor wrote. “For purposes of Public Act 101-0640, Article 15, section 15-5, amending the Open Meetings Act, new section 5 ILCS 120/7(e)(4), I find that the public health concerns at issue in this proclamation render in-person attendance of more than ten people at the regular meeting location not feasible.”

An Illinois resident tweeting under the pseudonym Emma Woodhouse, a well-known critic of Pritzker, lashed out that the greatest challenge was not with the pandemic but rather a result of ‘broken branches” of the government.

“Yesterday, the Gov. of Illinois illegally-reissued his 30-day Disaster Declaration for the 10th time... The disaster we have on our hands isn't the virus, but our broken branches of govt,” she tweeted.

Some suggested that the reissuance of disaster declarations and using the same strategies was not the best solution.

“Doing the same thing over and over, but expecting a different result? Insanity? = JB,” another Twitter user questioned.

Illinois has an unprecedented number of unemployment claims. 

The state has paid out more than $16.5 billion in unemployment insurance and the unemployment rate could go higher with the recurring disaster declarations that come with restrictions.