Dupage Policy Journal

Illinois State Rep. Amy Grant (R-Wheaton) is soliciting signatures for a petition calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D), and other democratic leaders, to bring lawmakers back to Springfield and set a full session calendar when the new General Assembly is seated early January 2021.

“There is no good reason why the General Assembly cannot meet for face-to-face session days in 2021,” Grant told the DuPage Policy Journal. “We held session in May with safety precautions in place and not one legislator or staff member contracted COVID-19. I have faith in the Springfield staff and know they can create a safe environment for us again in January. If Congress and other state legislatures can meet safely, why can’t we?”

Outside of the sessions held in May, senators meeting have occured at the Illinois Capitol and Illinois State Representatives at the Bank of Springfield Center, and lawmakers have been largely sidelined since the COVID-19 pandemic kicked into high gear back in March. Back in the spring, lawmakers were required to take a COVID-19 test before traveling to Springfield and masks were required while on the session floor and in meetings.

Illinois State Rep. Amy Grant (R-Wheaton) | https://repgrant.com/

“Since May, we have learned even more about this virus, so we have a better understanding of what protective measures are effective in preventing transmission,” Grant said. “We have to get back to work. My constituents did not elect me to be a sideline legislator. They elected me to serve as their voice, and since March of 2020 their voices have been silenced as the Governor has continued to rule via executive order, completely shutting out the legislative branch.”

Grant states there are many critical issues demanding the attention of lawmakers, with how to gain control of the virus, creating a pathway for all children to be back in school and addressing long lingering budget issues.

“We need hearings and audits into the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) failings and the complete breakdown of COVID-19 protocols that resulted in over 30 deaths at the LaSalle Veterans’ Home, and discussions about election integrity, unreasonable delays in the State Police’s FOID card and Concealed Carry Licensing system for lawful gun owners, and many other issues,” Grant said. “We must have a layer of accountability, or we will continue to see an erosion of our rights and a further deterioration of service delivery by state agencies and departments.”