Will County Gazette

Republican Congressional candidate Rick Laib argues Gov. J.B. Pitzker did the only thing he could do in allowing most of the state to move into Phase 4 of his Restore Illinois plan.

“The governor was wise to take immediate and aggressive action to shut down the state in March when we did not know what was happening, did not know the spread, and did not know the impact,” Laib told the Will County Gazette. “But now we know not only what we previously thought to be risks are not entirely risks, and we know the economic damage of being shut down. It is absolutely time to move forward with reopening.”

By moving into the fourth of five phases, more businesses can open with fewer restrictions and gatherings of up to 50 people and restricted indoor dining at restaurants are allowed. In addition, movie theaters, performing arts center, zoos and museums can reopen on a limited basis.

“There are risks in reopening, but there are risks to driving, walking down the street, eating a sandwich, or any number of things we commonly did before COVID-19 entered our vocabulary,” added Laib, who is challenging incumbent Rep. Bill Foster (D-Aurora) in the 11th District. “COVID-19 has not been eliminated but we're now well prepared for the treatment of this disease that has a well documented high survival rate. The damage to staying on lockdown in any fashion for possible spread is now eclipsing the actual damage that's being done.”

Laib said a large part of his motivation for wanting to go to Washington, D.C. has to do with nursing the state back to permanent stability.

“To bring our state back to economic health, we need to incentivize businesses, cut taxes, and deregulate,” he said.