North Egypt News

Franklin County activist Karen Tucker struggles to understand why Gov. J.B. Pritzker has seemed to be so spooked by the COVID-19 virus.

“If you ask me, we should be doing what we’ve always done anytime there’s been a virus,” Tucker told the North Egypt News. “If you’re at risk, you need to be quarantining as everyone else is getting on with life while doing everything they can to stay safe.”

Tucker argues the governor’s approach of shutting down establishments and restricting movements has done almost as much harm as good.

“It’s a virus, which means chances are it’s going to spread some,” she added. “But by putting all these other restrictions in place, the governor is causing people to suffer in ways they don't really to have to. I know there’s a case to be made about trying to slow the spread until a vaccine is ready, but we can’t expect life to just stop for people.”

Tucker said she isn’t surprised to now see more people taking a stance against the governor’s actions, including McHenry County State’s attorney Patrick Kenneally, who has vowed not to enforce the ban on indoor dining the governor has now enacted across the region.

“People are rebelling because they can’t put their lives on hold forever,” Tucker added. “I’m afraid it’s going to get worse as the governor continues to force these restrictions on people. It’s hard to convince people they need to shut down everything in their lives.”

Tucker said Pritzker now threatening to strip businesses that violate his order of state licenses is just more of the same bullying.

“I actually think the governor has lost his mind in a sense,” Tucker said. “I understand he feels responsibility for the people of the state, but you can’t allow panic to take over. I don’t know if it’s just a power trip or he really doesn’t know what to do. I think we all would be better served if more power were given to local governments in terms of how communities respond to the virus.”