Will County Gazette

Veteran state Rep. Margo McDermed (R-Mokena) is warning Gov. J.B. Pritzker to be careful about what he’s asking for given the latest COVID-19 policy he’s looking to enact.

“He needs to ask himself if he really wants business owners arguing with paying customers about masks and face coverings,” McDermed told the Will County Gazette. “Are you going to have them physically restraining people from entering their business? Getting into physical confrontations with people to keep them in line?”

Priktzker is now pushing a rule that would allow small business to be fined up to $2,500 for failure to enforce regulations for face coverings and social distancing. With GOP members loudly voicing their opposition to the proposal, the governor has wasted little time defending his position, arguing the change will aid law enforcement, local boards of health, school districts and the public in enforcing the use of face coverings and social-gathering restrictions.

“It seems like a little bit of a backwards way of attacking the issue,” McDermed added. “I really think it’s just part of the governor trying to keep boss of everything. The underline premise that you can bring criminal charges against a business entity as opposed to a person is not really consistent with the law.”

In May, Pritzker tried enacting similar legislation but withdrew it amid much criticism before a planned Joint Commission on Administrative Rules hearing.

“What’s changed since last time he brought this up,” McDermed added. “Who knows, maybe he’s brokered a deal with a few more Democrats to try and get things over the hump?”

Through it all, McDermed argues some things have become indisputable.

“Small businesses have paid enough,” she said. “But this is a guy who’s never been in a position where he’s had to work with people. Right now, his privileged upbringing is very much apparent.”