Will County Gazette

Illinois state Rep. Mark Batinick (R-Plainfield) believes that Gov. J.B. Pritzker is actually making things harder on residents and businesses through his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I think it’s very unfortunate that Walmart can sell shoes while local shoe stores face the risk of being run out of business,” Batinick told the Will County Gazette. “I don’t think we’re ready to just open everything back up, but I would have opened up more small businesses with measures like wearing face coverings and low-density guidelines being in place. I would say I’m safer in a small business wearing a mask than I am out riding public transportation.”

Batinick says that Pritzker’s one-size-fits-all approach to dealing with the crisis will ultimately lead to more suffering than necessary.

“We’re just digging a deeper and deeper hole for our economy,” Batinick said. “You look at some parts of the state and the way things haven’t gotten nearly as bad as they have in other places, and it's clear there’s no reason they shouldn’t be allowed to do business. This way just makes things harder for everybody.”

Batinick adds that he’s perplexed as to why the governor would still be pushing his progressive income tax proposal.

“I was against the tax when it was first proposed because it’s a bad idea, and now with everything that’s happening it’s an even worse idea,” Batinick said. “Who would think the idea of taxing someone more is a good idea when the entire economy is in shambles?”