By Neil Doyle

BLOOMINGTON – State Sen. Jason Barickman and local restaurant owners gathered Tuesday to discuss the impact of Gov. JB Pritzker’s executive orders in response to COVID-19.

Since March, the governor has issued over 70 orders without getting any input from the General Assembly, said Barickman (R-Bloomington).

“I think democracy is failing the people of this state as a result of the way in which the governor has executed these unilateral orders against the state and the people of our state,” Barickman said.

Barickman was joined by Joe Wargo who owns Joe’s Pub in Bloomington.

“Today and everyday since this fight began, we speak for our staff, who would go without pay or reduced wages during this holiday season with no additional help. We speak for their families, who would ultimately suffer. We speak for our colleagues, whose businesses are hanging on by a thread, who can only hope right now that relief comes before it’s too late. We speak for our community, who also wishes to have a voice,” Wargo said.

Bob Dobski, who owns Rob Dob’s Restaurant & Bar in Bloomington, said the orders have impacted his business.

“We tried curbside for a few weeks, but we don’t have a drive-thru window on our restaurant,” Dobski said. “We shut it down and 60 people are out of work at Christmas time. They can’t pay bills, can’t get those tips, and that is what they were counting on.”

The restaurant owners said there needs to be more input and oversight from lawmakers.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]