Dupage Policy Journal

Illinois state Rep. Amy Grant (R-Wheaton) is encouraging her constituents to unite as one in the battle to rid the state of the lingering coronavirus pandemic.

“I want to reiterate that the most important thing any of us can do right now is to practice proper social distancing and avoid unnecessary trips out of our homes,” Grant told the DuPage Policy Journal. "While none of us may like it, we need to come together in our understanding that it is the best way we can protect our loved ones.”

Grant said the last thing she wants to see happen is people become isolated and depressed by everything that’s going on around them.

“I’m telling everyone to follow the rules and to do all you can to help your neighbor,” she said. “It’s the only way we’re going to be able to get through all this as quickly as we can.”

Grant added she thinks government should be leading by example, adding she stands in support of a letter Republican state Reps. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville), Blaine Wilhour (R-Beecher City), Chris Miller (R-Oakland), Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) , Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur) Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee) and John Cabello (R-Machesney Park) sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker calling on him to freeze unemployment insurance rates for up to a year and to freeze the state's minimum wage for the next 18 months.

Here in Illinois, the minimum wage is slated to hit $10 an hour this summer before increasing by a dollar every year until it hits $15 an hour in 2025.

“I absolutely think it should be frozen,” Grant said. “I voted against increasing it to begin with because it’s not a livable wage and only hurts small businesses, non-profits, park districts and young people looking for their first job. With everything that’s happening now, it’s an even worse burden to be putting on businesses right now.”