Downstate judge rules Pritzker out of line with stay-at-home – but governor calls suit ‘dangerous,’ ‘insult to all Illinoisans’Chicago Sun Times, Apr 27, 2020
A judge on Monday ruled in favor of a Downstate legislator who argued in a lawsuit that Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker lacks the legal authority to force the Republican to stay home for more than 30 days during the coronavirus pandemic.
It’s a decision that only applies to the Southern Illinois lawmaker – state Rep. Darren Bailey – but the governor said it will endanger all Illinoisans — and open the door for others to file suit.
Pritzker was made aware of Clay County Circuit Court Judge Michael McHaney’s ruling Monday afternoon during his live COVID-19 briefing
“Rep. Darren Bailey’s decision to take to the courts to try and dismantle public health directives designed to keep people safe is an insult to all Illinoisans that have been lost during this COVID-19 crisis, and it’s a danger to millions of people who may get ill because of his recklessness,†Pritzker said. “At best, no one is better off because of this ruling, and at worst, people’s health and safety will suffer tremendously in Illinois.â€
The governor said his executive orders have operated on precedents set by past disaster proclamations.
“Disasters don’t necessarily evaporate on a 30-day timeframe,†Pritzker said.
Pritzker said his team will be fighting the decision and issuing “new public health directives so that we can continue to respond to this public crisis.â€
Bailey filed both a suit and a motion for a temporary restraining order. A judge on Monday ruled in favor of Bailey regarding the motion, which sought a temporary restraining order enjoining enforcement of the stay-at-home order “until the Court renders a final verdict in this matter,†as the suit remains ongoing.
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https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/4/27/21239029/downstate-judge-pritzker-bailey-stay-home-order-covid-19-coronavirus-clay-county