By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – When the government puts up a sign saying, “Speed Limit 65,” not many cry that it’s an encroachment on our freedoms.

Ashley McLemore of Dixon says the government imposing “stay home” orders and decreeing which businesses can and cannot be open is a different story.

“I’m a constitutionalist,” she said Sunday at a rally her “Operation Gridlock” group organized. “I believe in freedom of choice for your body and your family and your family’s health and your family’s safety. I certainly would never advocate for somebody going 100 mph on the highway – of course i wouldn’t – because that’s endangering not only yourself and whoever is in the car, but it’s endangering everybody else around you; but, as far as that being twisted into whatever this is, that’s ridiculous.”

McLemore and her husband had a business teaching music. She says it’s unlikely to reopen after being declared “non-essential.”

Another rallygoer, a farmhand from Macon County, said the state is “padding” the coronavirus numbers as justification to keep Illinoisans down and take away their freedoms.

“I’m working,” he said of his own situation. “It doesn’t really affect us too much.”

Perhaps fifty people stood, relaxed, or sang in the sunshine Sunday outside the Capitol.

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected]