With 72 executive orders issued by Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) since the beginning of the pandemic, and still no input from the Illinois Legislature, state Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington) is issuing challenges to Pritzker to include both lawmakers, and private citizens, greater access to the process behind Pritzker’s proclamations.
Barickman is calling for public hearings, and has said that the current process has for too long ignored the constitutional prerogative for checks and balances, according to a press release published to Barickman’s official website.
“Every day we hear issues from our constituents, from unemployment problems to mental health concerns to the tragic situation at assisted living facilities,” Barickman was quoted as saying in the release. “However, it's the Governor who isn't listening.”
Nine months into the COVID-19 pandemic, many – such as state Sen. Jason Barickman (R-Bloomington), and his constituents – continue to be dismayed that Gov. J.B. Pritzker has yet to include lawmakers in the policymaking process.
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The governor’s executive orders in the past nine months have come in at greater rates than five times as many executive orders as were issued in all of 2019, according to the release. In 2019, Pritzker only issued a total of 13 executive orders.
“Democracy does not allow one person to have unlimited authority, we need our co-equal branches of government working together on this,” Barickman was quoted as saying in the release. “We need public hearings so we can learn more about the decisions that are being made and so that we make sure that the voices of our constituents are being heard.”
In a recent press conference, local restaurant owners were able to voice some of their concerns publicly, according to the release. Joe Wargo, owner of Joe’s Station House Pizza and Joe’s Pub, said that many owners simply want to have their voices heard.
We want our elected officials, like Senator Barickman, to be able to get back to doing what they were elected to do. To be our voice in public hearings on what matters most and impacts all of us,” Wargo was quoted as saying in the release. “To be a part of the solution to the problems we face as a community.”
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