Illinois’ five congressional Republicans are calling on federal leaders to take action to prevent governors from being able to withhold federal funds from local municipalities.
The letter, sent Friday to the four congressional leaders from both parties, comes as Gov. JB Pritzker has suggested he may withhold federal aid from communities that disobey the state’s stay-at-home order.
The five Republicans, U.S. Reps. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro; Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville; Adam Kinzinger, R-Channahon; Darin LaHood, R-Peoria; and John Shimkus, R-Collinsville, said they were disappointed to hear Pritzker’s comments, adding he has ignored downstate communities that have issued “safe and reasonable plans to reopen their communities.”
They also said it was unfair for Pritzker to threaten to withhold funds that federal lawmakers intended for struggling small businesses.
“We don’t believe our governor, or any governor, should have the authority to prevent federal funding they receive that Congress appropriates from flowing to communities fighting for their livelihoods and abiding by the federal health guidelines,” the lawmakers said in a statement. “We urge Congress to take action and stand ready to work with our colleagues to continue providing the federal relief Illinois needs.”
Pritzker said during his Friday press conference that he understood the lawmakers were looking out for their constituents, but added he thought they were “missing the point” about his threat.
“My response is that they understand… that the laws of the state need to be followed, that the executive orders of the state need to be followed and we will pursue enforcement actions wherever necessary, where people are flaunting the health and safety, they’re ignoring the rules that would keep people safe in their communities,” Pritzker said.