SPRINGFIELD, Ill. � A downstate Republican lawmaker is demanding Gov. JB Pritzker move Illinois into of the plan to reopen Illinois. Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) feels the state already Pritzker established in order to move forward. She argues people are sick of waiting and it’s time for action. However, the governor’s office says the state isn’t ready yet.
Bryant says the Senate Republican Caucus used “every polite approach� to ask the administration what it will take to move into Phase 5. She says it’s past time for action.
The governor has long said Illinois won’t move to the final phase of the Restore Illinois plan until vaccines or treatment against COVID-19 are widely available. Republicans believe Illinois passed those requirements and that Pritzker continues to move the goalposts. They also feel the administration lacks transparency for lawmakers and the public. Bryant stressed the governor can’t act like the state is a monarchy.
“When the people don’t see a plan, they’ll make their own plan,� Bryant said Wednesday. “We’re seeing all over the state where people are opening their businesses, they’re doing it safely. And yet, the governor wants to continue to keep the people of Illinois under his thumb.�
Bryant said Pritzker must allow lawmakers to participate in the decision-making process since he continues to act alone. She’s also upset with the Democratic leadership of both chambers, as she feels they have ceded their power to the governor’s office.
Administration will follow science
Meanwhile, Jordan Abudayyeh, Pritzker’s Press Secretary, says they’ll continue to listen to medical experts on when to move forward safely.
“While we have made progress, vaccine shipments to the state remain limited leaving a vast majority of the Illinois population unvaccinated right now. The Governor looks forward to increasing supply and getting more Illinoisans vaccinated,� Abudayyeh stated.
1,247,781 Illinoisans have received two doses of the COVID-19 vaccine. That’s only 9.79% of the state’s population. Still, Bryant says Illinois needs to return to a sense of normal as soon as possible.
“If he’s going to do it on his own, then give us the plan for how that’s going to happen,� Bryant added. “And quit saying, ‘It’s coming, it’s coming.� I’m sick of hearing it’s coming. I want to see what his plan is and so do the people of this state.�
The administration stressed everyone, including Bryant, must continue to follow the science.
“The Senator’s time would be better spent urging those in her community to continue wearing their mask and keeping their distance, and urging them to step up and get vaccinated when it’s their turn,� Abudayyeh stated.
Pritzker’s office also explained the governor hasn’t changed the Phase 5 requirements.
