Will County Gazette

Rick Laib (R), former Illinois 11th Congressional District Republican candidate, fumes Gov. J.B. Pritzker can’t even point to a basis for all the damage he thinks he’s needlessly inflicting on the people of the state.

“The governor has offered no persuasive justification for his long-lasting COVID restrictions,” Laib told the Will County Gazette. 

“He has only argued that people continue to get sick. This alone cannot be persuasive as we have good reason to question these numbers. Additionally, he is still citing numbers of a disease that has a 99% recovery rate," said Laib.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker | Wikipedia commons

Laib argues the latest shutdown actions taken by the governor are no exception.

“To continue to lock down, cripple, and put employers out of work over a low-threat high-recovery disease that is being inconsistently tabulated by a governor who has already shown disregard for the sanctity of human life invites pushback,” said Laib.

Laib, who registered nearly 37% of the vote in November in his unsuccessful run against U.S. Rep. Bill Foster in the 11th Congressional District, insists he stands totally behind McHenry County State’s Attorney Patrick Kenneally’s vow not to enforce the governor’s  latest orders banning indoor dining in that region.

“Leave them be and allow them to function,” said Laib of the actions he thinks Pritzker should be taken to help small business owners get over the hump. “They don't need bailouts and they don't need aid. They need to be permitted to function.”

Laib said Pritzker threatening to strip small business owners that don’t follow his orders of their state licenses is just more of the same kind of flawed thinking.

“The republic welcomes the governor to take whatever action he feels is necessary,” said Laib, “We ask that he welcome the challenge to his actions in the courts.”