SPRINGFIELD (WSIL) -- Governor JB Pritzker's administration is repealing its emergency rule that would penalize businesses for reopening against the rules of the stay-at-home order.
State lawmakers said the move came Wednesday as the General Assembly's Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) prepared to meet to review the rule.
The meeting was delayed for several hours while State Sen. Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo) said negotiations and deliberations took place.
"I am tremendously happy that JCAR was able to get this misguided proposal from the Governor's office repealed," said State Sen. Schimpf. "I am hopeful that this will help send a message that all jobs are essential and people shouldn't be punished for simply trying to earn a living."
"I'm am pleased that the Governor has decided to withdraw his emergency rules that would have severely harmed the hardworking men and women of this state for just trying to provide for their families. Businesses in the 59th District have gone above and beyond to implement critical protocols needed to ensure the safety of their customers, and many of our local business owners have continuously worked to bring awareness to the damage these emergency rules would have had on our business community. I'm encouraged that this obvious abuse of authority was not allowed to stand," said State Sen. Dale Fowler (R-Harrisburg).
Under the rule, businesses could have faced a Class A misdemeanor for violating stay-at-home guidelines.
Southern Illinois lawmakers took to social media to announce the decision to repeal.
