Chicago City Wire

Approximately 150 protesters gathered this week and chanted "Freedom Over Fear" and "Reopen Illinois" outside the Illinois Capitol, some carrying signs reading, “Free Illinois,” according to the Week.com.

The rally's organizer, Matthew Walder told the Week.com, "We've honestly been watching the press conferences from President Trump and Governor J.B. Pritzker and just been getting more and more infuriated every time we watch them."

More protests and rallies were held on May 1.

“While I understand that the protests are peaceful, I would caution people not to take to the streets when we currently have state representatives who have filed legal actions in a court of law. I believe the people should allow the attorneys to do their job,” said Ammie Kessem, 41st Ward Republican Committee woman, vice president of the Northwest Side GOP and first vice chair of the Chicago GOP.

Kessem said in an email it is the right of the people to protest, but she said legal actions have been filed and she does not believe law enforcement should be put at risk.

“Even though the people have a constitutional right to peacefully assemble, the fact that legal remedies are currently underway, I do not see the need to put our law enforcement in a precarious position,” said Kessem.

She said Governor Pritzker has imposed “unconstitutional mandates” and, unfortunately, law enforcement is required to enforce them.

“We have a governor who has stepped all over the rights of the people, however, law enforcement officers are being told by their employers that they must enforce these mandates,” said Kessem. “I’m begging people to please consider the seriousness of these actions and the dangerous positions they would be putting our officers in unnecessarily. Our officers need to be focused on serving the public right now and keeping our neighborhoods safe, not enforcing unconstitutional mandates the governor thinks he can enforce like a dictator.”

Kessem expressed hope that the situation will come to a close shortly.

“Hopefully, this will all be over soon and we can get back to our daily lives while those who have health concerns continue to take precautions,” she said. “We are all in this together and we need to act with reasonable prudence.”