Will County Gazette

The Will County Republican Party says it stands for election process fairness amid Gov. J.B. Pritzker's shelter in place order.  

"Ballot access is the American way," George Pearson, chairman of the Will County Republican Party, said in the statement. "It is our vision that all parties have fair and equal access to pick their chosen candidates."

Tuesday marked the first day that independent and new political party candidates could begin collecting signatures to be on the ballot. They need to file the signatures by June 22. 

"Gov. Pritzker and a few others have decided to shut down the state with a 15-day shelter-In-place order," Pearson said. "In light of that decision, I cannot help but ask, What process have they put into place to ensure Independent, Constitutional and Green Party candidates will have the same just access to collect enough signatures to be on the ballot? How can they go door-to-door under these current restrictions? How can they host in-person events to obtain registered voters signatures and voice their stances?"

Under Illinois' ballot access laws, independent and new party candidates typically have to collect more signatures than Democratic or Republican candidates. 

"They must collect double the amount of signatures that the two established parties have already filed," Pearson said. "The current one-party rule in Illinois offers no solutions. I hope you will give our candidates a look for the answers." 

Pritzker's recent shelter in place order is effective until April 7, and requires all residents to stay at home unless they must leave. The order also limited gatherings of more than 10 people and defined which essential businesses may remain open. 

Republican and Democratic candidates held their primary elections March 17.

"Elections are so imperative, even Gov. Pritzker yielded to the U.S. and state constitutions to allow Election Day to go forward, despite the grumblings and pushback from the Chicago Board of Elections and other politicos," Pearson said. "For that I applaud the governor." 

As of Tuesday, there have been 1,535 confirmed COVID-19 cases and 16 deaths, the Illinois Policy Institute reported. 

COVID-19 stands for coronavirus disease 2019 and is caused by the novel SARS-CoV-2 virus. Common symptoms include coughing, difficulty breathing, and fever, although there can be more severe symptoms like pneumonia.