Chicago City Wire

Illinois pundits and residents alike are decrying Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order intended to limit the spread of COVID-19.

Radio hosts Amy Jacobson and Dan Proft tweeted May 1:

“One county in Illinois accounts for 70% of all COVID-19 infections. And yet all the other counties are subject to the same restrictions. Bad public health policy. Bad public policy.”

They were responding to was this tweet from Greg Hinz (@GregHinz)

“A portrait of #COVID__19 in Chicago.  See the latest data on dramatic differences depending on your age, residence, ethnicity/race and more. And see signs of progress. https://tinyurl.com/y4e2ht5z.”

Proft and Jacobson are not alone in objecting via Twitter.

Andy Woodward (@AndyWoodward68) tweeted: “Proud of my wife going to Springfield Illinois today.” He also posted a picture of a sign reading, “Free IL from JB’s Tyranny! Re-Open ALL Businesses!”

Shannon Leah (@shannonleahc) tweeted:

"All politicians should have their paychecks suspended until we reopen. Why should they get paid and not us?!"

The recent protests came after Governor Pritzker again extended the March 2020 stay-at-home order that shut down businesses, closed public parks and gathering spaces, and limited the number of people permitted to gather.

On May 1, a few hundred Illinoisans traveled to Springfield to protest the governor’s order and urge legislators to reopen the state. Some also protested in Chicago. 

Rob Small (@RobSmall_Trump) tweeted: “#ReopenIllinois Rally today in Chicago and Springfield.”

His tweet included a Kelly Davis (@kellykdavis) tweet and video from the Chicago protest, She wrote: “Hundreds of people descend on the Thompson Center in protest of IL’s state at home order. Counter protesters also showed up in support of state leaders.”

On May 1, Danielle (@DanielleVicek1) tweeted:

“This was the first time I protested anything. @GovPritzker did not have the authority to unilaterally issue another stay-at-home order. We do not live in a dictatorship. Enough is enough."

Some citizens are unhappy with Pritzker’s actions and have filed lawsuits against his the extension of the stay-at-home order.

Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) won a temporary restraining order on April 27 against the governor in Clay County Circuit Court, claiming that Pritzker had exceeded his authority. 

Another Republican, lawmaker, Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park), has also sued, but he did not limit the suit to himself, as did Bailey. Cabello seeks injunctive relief for every Illinois resident from what he believes is the governor’s overreach.