Will County Gazette

Illinois congressional candidate Rick Laib (R-Joliet) worries how long it will be before the world of politics returns to form.

“There’s a saying in Washington that goes ‘you never let a good crisis go to waste,’” Laib, now running against incumbent U.S. Rep. Bill Foster (D-Aurora) in the 11th District, told the Will County Gazette of the coronavirus outbreak. “I do believe that there are some people in government that will use this crisis to try to overstep their boundaries.”

Even as he praises people for mostly coming together during the crisis, Laib adds there have been examples of what he sees as extreme government overreach.

In Champaign, a city ordinance has been enacted that gives the mayor and city council the power to do everything from limit gun sales to ration utilities and seize private property. The newly approved legislation also gives leaders the power to impose emergency curfews, bar residents from public buildings and shutter businesses over the next 28 days.

“That’s a perfect example,” he said. “I don’t know what limiting gun sales has to do with fighting the coronavirus. I see no connection at all; I think it’s just a move to be able to say to people that you’re doing something.”

More recently, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker moved to enact a “stay at home” order for all residents. The order will be in effect at least through April 7.

While City Attorney Fred Stavins stressed that no added actions are currently being called for and that the policies have actually been part of the city code for more than a decade, Laib said he plans on keeping a close watch on every level.

“I hear (House Speaker) Nancy Pelosi has already tried to put funding for Planned Parenthood in a bill,” he said.