By Dave Dahl
SPRINGFIELD – The problems with the state’s Department of Employment Security during the pandemic are enough, says one Republican lawmaker, to throw Gov. JB Pritzker out of office.
Speaking during a Zoom news conference organized for him, State Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee) says he is not out for news coverage.
“T would actually prefer to avoid coverage,” Skillicorn said. “This is a non-partisan issue. This is not my voice; let it be heard: it’s the voice of one million people in Illinois who are now unemployed.”
Pritzker has said the system was built ten years ago for normal conditions, and the pandemic is anything but normal, overwhelming the system. Skillicorn says Pritzker hasn’t shown interest in fixing it.
“A week and a half ago, when i found out about this situation – where hackers are able to get this data – I was really bold and said he needs to get this fixed and get it fixed now, or i will be forced to start this recall process.”
A process which needs Democratic and Republican lawmakers to sign on before it goes to a statewide ballot.
Asked about Skillicorn’s remarks later in the day, Pritzker sarcastically congratulated Skillicorn for wanting to fund state government, contrary to his votes since he has been in the General Assembly.
Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].
