Kendall County Times

Kendall County Republican Party Chairman James Marter isn’t hesitant about pointing to what he sees as a double-standard commonly used by Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Illinois Democrats seeking to get their way.

“They always run to the courts when it fits their needs and when it doesn’t they ignore the courts altogether,” Marter told the Kendall County Times. “The governor has zero authority to do what he’s threatening to right now and the courts have already said so.”

Citing rising infection rates that have moved at least 11 counties to “warning levels” for the spread of the virus, Pritzker recently pronounced the state is at a “danger point” for another potential shutdown. Cass, Gallatin, Jackson, Jo Daviess, Johnson, Perry, Randolph, Saline, Sangamon, St. Clair and White counties are those listed.

“It amazes me that he still thinks he’s legally in charge to shut down businesses and pick winners and losers,” Marter added. "This is fundamental, and it’s clearly been established that he overstepped his bounds the first time around with his shutdown order.”

Marter said he’s also convinced the governor is losing in the court of public opinion, especially given the way he has unfairly treated small business owners by targeting them for harsher treatment compared to big-box operators like Walmart.

“How can you tell one business they’re essential and another they’re not when they both do many of the same things?” he said. “And now he wants to do it all over again. Small business owners are already hurting and if they’re forced to shut down again many of them won’t have anything to come back to. Some are already done for good. You’re seeing businesses being closed down and homes being foreclosed on. There’s no way we can afford to continue this.”