Chicago City Wire

Through all the chaos and confusion of the COVID-19 pandemic, Chicago Republican Party Chairman Chris Cleveland thinks he’s finally come to realize just who Gov. J.B. Pritzker truly is.

“He’s a hypocrite. I think that much we can say for sure,” Cleveland told Chicago City Wire. “What else would you call someone that participates in protests and other large-scale leftists’ gatherings but prohibits any gatherings from organizations that he doesn’t agree with except when the courts force him to do otherwise/”

Cleveland argues the governor’s uneven nature has been on full display since the virus first hit and he enacted his stay-at-home back in March.

“I think all the policies that the governor has instituted have been inconsistently applied and I think his ongoing criticisms of the President (Donald) Trump are politically motivated and unfair,” Cleveland added. “I’m not sure why the policies have been as all over the place as they have been, but I can tell you they have had a big, big impact."

With the state now having finally moved into Phase 4 of the governor’s five-part Restore Illinois plan, Cleveland said he feels it may be a case of too little, too late for many small business owners.

“Under the Illinois Constitution, he gets 30 days to go outside the law and issue lockdown orders,” he said. “That's it. After that, he has no special powers unless the legislature grants them. Yet, he acts like he does.”

Under Phase 4 guidelines, more businesses can open with fewer restrictions. Gatherings of up to 50 people and restricted indoor dining at restaurants are now also permitted. In addition, movie theaters, performing arts center, zoos and museums can reopen on a limited basis.