Will County Gazette

Illinois state Rep. Margo McDermed (R-Mokena) does not consider failure an option when it comes to propelling local industry through the coronavirus crisis.

“We have to do whatever it takes to preserve our small businesses,” McDermed told the Will County Gazette. “We know wherever you go in the country, small businesses are the biggest job creators. Most people work for small businesses and if they don’t survive, the lives of so many are going to be turned upside down.”

McDermed argues that Illinois businesses need to be back up and running as soon as thy can, with the May 1 date set forth by President Donald Trump making for a best-case scenario.

“The idea of just closing everything everywhere in the state always seemed a bit extreme to me,” she said. “I want Gov. Pritzker and all his agencies to start thinking strategically and systematically about what we can safely reopen. The time for blanket closures has come and gone.”

McDermed points to a new Coronavirus Small Business Survey by WalletHub that found 35 percent of small businesses across the country say their business can only survive for about 90 days in the current atmosphere. In addition, 68 percent said they feel the government is not doing enough to help them.

“It’s incumbent on all of us as lawmakers and leaders to balance protecting people from the virus with assuring financial survival for all the citizens that we can,” McDermed said. “We have to figure out a way for businesses to be able to reopen while making sure we take every precaution there is to insure safety.”