Rockford Sun

Illinois state Rep. John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) is challenging Gov. J.B. Prizker's stay-at-home order by filing a lawsuit questioning the order's constitutionality, making him the second lawmaker to file a complaint against it. 

Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) also filed a lawsuit against the stay-at-home order, but Cabello's complaint is different because his efforts would apply to all Illinois residents, whereas, Bailey's complaint only applied to him, according to the Rock River Times. 

Cabello said Illinois residents should have the choice to self-quarantine during the COVID-19 pandemic. He also said businesses should have the option to reopen as long as they follow social-distancing guidelines. 

“We need to do something to get back to our normal American way of life,” Cabello told the Rock River Times.

Cabello also opposes Pritzker's and the Illinois Department of Corrections' decision to commute prison sentences during the coronavirus outbreak. 

“J.B. Pritzker is jeopardizing citizens across Illinois by letting criminals out of jail,” Cabello said in a news release. “The prisoners he has released are all making their way back into our communities because the governor clearly has no regard for the public safety of our citizens. These are not low-level offenders; many of them are murderers, rapists and domestic violence offenders.”

Pritzker said prisoners released were either near the end of their sentence or needed medical attention, according to the Rock River Times. Pritker also filed a response to Bailey's complaint. 

“This was a cheap political stunt designed so that the representative can see his name in headlines, and unfortunately he has briefly been successful in that most countless of feats as absurd as this charade is, we are taking this matter very seriously,” Pritzker said. “While the court’s order is limited, the risk it poses is significant. By agreeing with the plaintiffs in this initial ruling, the court set a dangerous precedent. Slowing the spread of this virus is critical to saving lives by ensuring our healthcare system has the resources to treat patients who get sick. And we will not stop this virus if because of this ruling, any resident can petition to be exempted from aspects of the orders that rely on collective action to keep us all safe.”