House GOP members suggest how state should reopen

Posted on April 23, 2020
State Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria). (Dave Dahl/WJBC)

 

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Just in case Gov. JB Pritzker has a suggestion box for what to do when the “stay at home” order expires next Thursday, some House Republicans are at the ready.

The governor has suggested he may make some changes to the order. State Rep. Dave Severin (D-Benton) said state parks should re-open. Pritzker has said his concern about employees in close quarters in a building or truck drove that decision.

State Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) referred to a program in his district which serves seniors in their homes, with the added benefit of keeping seniors away from possible coronavirus patients. Batinick and State Rep. Tony McCombie (R-Savanna) both want some flexibility in what sort of procedures hospitals can perform. Citing a friend’s breast cancer screening and his own colonoscopy order, Batinick said some things are by no means “elective.”

State Rep. Ryan Spain (R-Peoria) says it’s not fair that a small local bookstore or flower shop has to remain closed, while a superstore can sell such items. That is another one Pritzker said he’d think about.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…