Christ Yoder
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(The Center Square) – The Illinois Emergency Management Act gives the governor the power to declare emergencies in 30-day increments with little power given to the Illinois General Assembly during those times, but some lawmakers still want to be heard.
In two weeks, Governor JB Pritzker’s stay-at-home order designed to slow the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic is expected to expire. The original order went into effect on March 21, but was extended until April 30. The governor said Monday that “adjustments” could be made to the stay-at-home in May, but he has not received a definitive answer.
“I can’t say it, you know, because there’s no date I have in mind for that,” Pritzker said Monday. “Things have to change.
The governor said he would be guided by the director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, Dr Ngozi Ezike and other experts.
“There is a consensus building… things are leveling out more than before,” said Pritzker. “It’s a very good development. You want to see this curve continue in the direction it is in and the reason it will continue is that people are staying at home under this order right now. “
Other than earmarking funds if they’re in session and approving mutual aid agreements, there’s not much that state lawmakers, who routinely claim they are an equal arm of the government, can do during an emergency.
“I call on Governor Pritzker to convene the four legislative leaders to share the planning underway with regard to the reopening of our state,” said Illinois Senatorial Minority Leader Bill Brady, R-Bloomington. “As no official notice has been given on extending the current stay at home order, I think we need to start discussions on a possible responsible opening up of our state’s economy. ‘appreciates the governor’s willingness throughout this crisis to speak to me one-on-one, it is important that the leaders meet. ”
House Minority Leader Jim Durkin, R-Western Springs, said if the governor extends his stay-at-home order until May, the legislature must play a bigger role.
“Because we cannot lose sight of what happened to our economy,” Durkin said. “We need to be able to do whatever we can to reduce the number of Illinoisans who contract [COVID-19], but we also need to reduce the number of people who apply for unemployment. We have to be able to do both. “
The Office of House Speaker Michael Madigan said lawmakers were tackling constituent issues “of all shapes and sizes” and working groups were beginning to consider legislative ideas “both related to the pandemic and to other subjects “to determine when it is” to come back safely “.
State Representative Mike Marron, R-Fithian, said there needs to be a more collaborative approach with state lawmakers, rather than CEO dictates.
“We are the people who are dealing with the fallout from this on the ground,” Marron said. “We are the ones talking to voters. We talk to companies who are trying to determine whether or not they can stay open. “
State Representative Mike Zalewski, D-Riverside, said that as a member of the co-equal branch of government he had confidence in the governor and said he believed the governor heeded the science and data in its decisions. Zalewski has said he would like to push the governor to reopen the schools.
“And as much as online learning is a godsend, I really want them to go back to school, if only for a short time, just so they can get through the summer with minimal ability. transition to next year, “Zalewski said.
Spokesman for Senate Speaker Don Harmon, John Patterson, said senators gathered voters’ questions and concerns and forwarded them to the governor’s office. They also disseminate information to the public.
“[T]he 40 Senate Democrats have been enthusiastic partners, contributing and advocating on behalf of their constituents across this great state to help shape the response in these unprecedented times, ”said Patterson.
The governor’s stay-at-home order amid the COVID-19 pandemic lasts until April 30.
