Will County Gazette

Illinois state Rep. Margo McDermed (R-Mokena) wonders if Gov. J.B. Pritzker even thinks about the damage he’s causing high school students.

“The overwhelming number of calls and complaints coming into my office are that our kids should be able to get back to playing sports and that the governor’s ban makes no sense,” McDermed told the Will County Gazette. “We know that young kids are very strongly impacted by isolation and we have a mental crisis now with our youths. I’ve been saying from the beginning that Pritzker's decisions have to be more balancing; that’s part of the job of an elected official.”

Pritzker recently doubled down on his decision to keep most student-athletes off the field over COVID-19 concerns, sparking protests from parents, students and coaches all across the state.

The Illinois High School Association fired off a letter to Pritzker requesting that they be allowed “to resume control over determining the resumption of sports and activities.” Currently, the two sides are allowing teams across the state to practice this month under specific COVID-19 guidelines.

“He’s just cowering behind his scientists and we don’t even know who they are,” McDermed added. “He doesn’t want to have to make a decision and be held accountable. He’s got to walk the line and make a decision and try to provide a safe haven for kids to do the things that are helpful for their development.”

Ever since the virus hit, McDermed has argued Pritzker's one-size-fits-all approach to things has done more harm than good.

“He’s made himself king and anytime evidence comes in that goes against his decision he makes it a point of not listening,” she said. “We need to quit operating out of fear and make some decisions that benefit the young people of Illinois.”