McLean County Times

Rep. Dan Brady (R-Bloomington) wants the General Assembly to return to session immediately to continue working for Illinois citizens.

Brady said, as a funeral director, he has witnessed the effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on many families in Illinois.

"Since the pandemic, House Republicans have proposed regional plans that respect the data and safety of residents," Brady said during a press conference Wednesday. "We all know the stay at home order was the right thing to do. Thankfully, it has worked. Illinois has flattened the curve."

Brady said the most recent executive order reflected many reasonable suggestions by the Republican Caucus, including the opening of state parks and garden centers and allowing healthcare providers to perform testing for elective surgery procedures.

"House Republicans have been bringing plans to the governor to regionally reopen Illinois," Brady said. "Any reopening must be done safely and respect the data. We need to make sure residents feel safe to return."

Brady said Pritzker laid out plans that included initiatives Republicans had been calling for, but the Governor's plan fails to recognize that local officials want the same thing he does. He said the order does not allow local governments to have any control of their own and continues to be a decree by one person—Pritzker.

"With this plan, it could be months or years before we fully reopened as we wait for a vaccine," Brady said. "Those looking to get back to work cannot wait months or years. If the plan continues, small businesses can't reopen when the time comes."

Brady said the pandemic is extremely serious, but that Illinois has done the right thing by flattening the curve and keeping citizens safe.

Republicans in the General Assembly have been urging House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) and Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) to bring the House and Senate back.