Illinois’ GOP congressional caucus call for phased reopening of state

Illinois’ five Congressional Republicans are calling on Gov. JB Pritzker to begin a phased re-opening of the state.

In a letter sent Thursday, U.S. Reps. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro; Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville; Adam Kinzinger, R-Channahon; Darin LaHood, R-Peoria; and John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, asked Pritzker to consider allowing areas of the state that have had none or few COVID-19 cases to reopen certain businesses as long as health precautions are taken.

“There is a strong desire among the people we represent to move forward with a plan focused on balancing our health and our economy,” the letter said. “It should not be an either/or proposition.”

The Republicans said policymakers must work with public health experts to establish a plan that strikes a balance that will allow businesses to reopen without putting lives at risk.

Pritzker said during his Thursday press conference that he spoke Wednesday with the Republicans and the rest of the congressional delegation and that he does not disagree that “different areas of the state require different rules.”

He said his modified stay-at-home order addresses some of the concerns. Along with the reopening of some state parks and golf courses, he said hospitals in some areas of downstate will soon be able to resume elective surgeries and procedures.

“Many of the things that we’ve opened up, just in this executive order that only is in effect for a month, is an indication… of my recognition and our recognition that it’s different from one area to another,” Pritzker said. “And we’ll be talking more about that as we put forward plans for reopening.”

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