Republicans respond to Gov. Pritzker’s announcement of state lifting mask mandate

Posted on February 9, 2022
State Sen. Darren Bailey (right) at a Capitol news conference Wednesday. (Photo courtesy: BlueRoom/Twiter)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – Reaction to Gov. JB Pritzker’s mask mandate rollback announcement was, for Republicans, negative.

“After seeing what Gov. Pritzker has done to our students, businesses, churches, and people since he has taken office,” said State Sen. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) at a Capitol news conference Wednesday, “I want to ask you a very simple question: Years from now, when your children and grandchildren ask you where you stood when their freedom was on the chopping block, what will you be able to tell them?”

Bailey is a candidate for governor.

“We have seen a governor who believes he has the absolute power and the security to do whatever the hell he wants,” said State Rep. Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City), “without regard for facts, the data, common sense. Statutory authority, the Constitution, or even the rulings of courts in the state of Illinois.”

The lawmakers ended the news conference when reporters’ questions turned to election integrity and the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol insurrection.

Earlier Wednesday, House Minority Leader Jim Durkin (R-Western Springs) responded to a question about the governor’s plans by stressing that the Republicans have been left out of discussions for two years.

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…