Rockford Sun

Rockford political activist Kathy Hansen says Gov. J.B. Pritzker could use a refresher course in understanding his job description.

“We’re living through a pandemic and the governor hasn’t even been bothered to call the legislature back to Springfield to try to figure out the best way of dealing with things and putting this state back on course,” Hansen told the Rockford Sun. “Everything has been by his own rules. By law, he could only impose a stay-at-home order for 30 days, then he had to go back to the legislature. But he just couldn’t be bothered.”

Even with the state now having finally moved into Phase 4 of the governor’s five-part Restore Illinois plan, Hansen fears much of damage she sees him having caused may now be irreparable.

“Business after business has been forced to close, many of them not to reopen again,” he said. “People are freaking out to the point we may have zero population growth because everyone is afraid to interact with one another.”

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.

“His restrictions are still handcuffing businesses,” Hansen added. “Bars and restaurants are still only operating at half capacity and you wonder how long they can survive like that. Everywhere you look, people are still out of work and businesses are struggling to stay afloat.”

Hansen said it all leads back to the governor and many of the poor decisions he’s made in the aftermath of the crisis.

“Another example of that is the way he’s allowed large corporations to continue doing business while shutting down every small business he could find,” she said. “That’s not what you would call good government.”