McLean County Times

Republican Rep. Dan Caulkins is joining other GOP members who criticize Gov. J.B. Pritzker's Bridge Phase plan to help reignite the Illinois economy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Bridge to Phase 5 has several connected benchmarks that need to be met before it comes to an end, barring any changes from the governor. One of the key elements is that 70% of residents aged at least 65 are vaccinated, coupled with no upward changes in COVID-19 hospitalizations, deaths or cases for 28 days. If those metrics are reached, along with others, the Bridge Phase can start to increasing capacity limits.

Caulkins' (R-Decatur) objections about the Bridge Phase are in part about the impact on jobs.

Caulkins noted that in Illinois, the hospitality industry has lost 34% of its jobs and also that Illinois has more coronavirus deaths per million than Florida despite Florida having an older population and more tourist activity.

"We should not be enduring these draconian lockdowns, these edicts from the governor, these extended executive orders," Caulkins said in a March 19 Facebook video. "This is a problem with Democrats; Democrats think that the government is the answer, one size fits all. Obviously, it's not true. We need to open up our economy."

Caulkins continued to criticize Pritzker in a Facebook video, specifically focusing on his executive orders.

"People can't get their unemployment processed; other people have had their identities stolen..." Caulkins said. "... All because our governor has kept us locked down and keeps issuing these executive orders."

Under the Bridge to Phase 5 plan, health and fitness centers, offices, personal care facilities, retail and counter service establishments, amusement parks, film productions, museums, spectator events, zoos and performing arts events capacities will all go up to 60% during the bridge phase.

Illinois will move back into phase 4 and out of the bridge phase if COVID-19 hospitalizations or the coronavirus mortality rate go up during the monitoring period and also if ICU bed availability declines below 20%.