SPRINGFIELD (ILLINOIS CAPITOL BUREAU) -- A group of Illinois House Republicans say they are fed up with Gov. JB Pritzker's abuse of executive orders. However, they aren't threatening lawsuits like some of their colleagues. They just want to return to Springfield to debate the issue. The lawmakers feel Pritzker's executive orders to extend the stay-at-home overstep his authority. The Illinois Emergency Management Act gives the governor 30 days of emergency powers. Those powers would have expired on April 7. Now, Republicans say it's time for checks and balances.
"As state representatives, we have duties to the people of the state of Illinois and responsibilities to the members of our district, just as the governor has his responsibilities to the state," said Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva). The suburban lawmaker says ignoring their obligations would "ignore all of the people of Illinois." The General Assembly hasn't returned to the Capitol since March 5, but House Republicans note other state legislatures and Congress have found ways to return and vote safely.
"I'm tired of the Speaker of the House and the Senate President abdicating my responsibility to represent my district and my constituents by not calling us back in," Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) exclaimed. "We need to be back in this discussion."
Senate President Don Harmon's spokesman says it's too early to return. "The Senate President has told Senators that he wants to see a crystal clear plan of action for urgent issues before we return along with a similar plan for how to protect the health and safety of lawmakers, staff, support personnel, media anyone else who might attend a legislative session," John Patterson stated. He mentioned the Capitol building is not conducive to social distancing during session days. "The fact the Representatives used an online platform for their press conference proves that point."
"They have a coequal branch"
Gov. Pritzker says there's nothing barring the legislature from meeting, and the decision to return is completely out of his control. "I'm not going to go, you know, push legislators. And you know, as many have pointed out, they have a coequal branch," Pritzker said during his Wednesday afternoon briefing. "They do have the ability to make their own rules and make their own decisions. That's something that's completely up to them."
However, there are still questions about how lawmakers could hold committee hearings or floor debates in a safe manner. Pritzker says the Illinois Department of Public Health could help with any safety guidance. The governor explained virtual meetings are currently not allowed by law. He says lawmakers would first need to meet in person to discuss and pass a law allowing distance meetings. The group speaking Wednesday morning oppose the idea of voting remotely. In most cases, they feel lawmakers can return to the chambers if they have facial coverings and use common sense.
"I'm certainly not looking to put anyone in harms way, but we must continue to function even in a time of crisis as a democracy," Ugaste said.
Lawmakers also mentioned the Capitol Complex could remain closed to the public if the General Assembly returns. However, they say this option would only be fair if the session is available to stream on multiple platforms.
"As they see fit"
Meanwhile, many Republicans see counties already discussing how they can start phases of reopening their economies despite Pritzker's rule. Assistant House Minority Leader Norine Hammond (R-Macomb) says Illinois is currently in Phase 0, and Phase 1 would allow more businesses to reopen in a safe manner.
"The people living in these counties understand what's going on. They're not approaching this from a podium in Chicago," Hammond said. "They are the boots on the ground in the counties, and they have the ability to address it as they see fit."
Pritzker says he welcomes communities that are starting to plan ahead. "I very much appreciate different groups of mayors or areas that have offered their plans for reopening. Those are extremely instructive and I appreciate that very much," the governor added. Hammond says counties should be able to pull back their plans if they see a spike in COVID-19 cases. The Republicans say they understand there is a much larger issue in the Chicago area, so they feel a regional approach is the best way to move forward.
Davidsmeyer says people are noticing surrounding states are already discussing reopening their economies. "Missouri is starting to open. At the end of the day, people in my district may flock to Missouri to use their services as opposed to shopping local." His district stretches from Jacksonville to several communities bordering Missouri. "I think that our comments to the governor and the governor's staff have mostly fallen on deaf ears, and that's why I feel the need the General Assembly needs to come back and rejoin the conversation."
