Dupage Policy Journal

Laura Hois feels for all the small business owners left feeling as if they’re being victimized a second time by Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s restrictions.

“Establishing projected timelines in collaboration with industry professionals for the phased return to normal operations would be helpful to all Illinoisans,” Hois (R-Downers Grove) told the DuPage Policy Journal.

Hois hints she largely thinks the governor missed the mark with his recent extension of his stay-at-home order through Saturday, May 30. While the new order will allow a spattering of businesses and state parks to reopen, the Republican House candidate set to face off against incumbent Anne Stava-Murray (D-Naperville) in the 81st District doesn’t think it goes far enough in putting the state back on the road to economic recovery from the impact of COVID-19.

“I’d like to see some allowances for certain types of health care facilities and businesses to reopen safely and responsibly with social distancing, face coverings and density controls,” Hois said. “A regional approach, using data to identify those areas less impacted by COVID-19 cases, may guide the way toward gradually resuming health care treatment and economic activity. Hospitals and community health care providers would have to insure sufficient PPE is available to protect staff, employees and patrons. Establishing projected timelines in collaboration with industry professionals for the phased return to normal operations would be helpful to all Illinoisans.”

Up until this point, Hois said she thinks the governor’s handling of the crisis has been largely uneven, including the way she thinks he has slapped far more crippling restrictions on some more than he has others.

“Small businesses that have been ordered to close may sell some of the same items as big box stores that were allowed to remain open,” she said. “With the next wave of executive orders, the governor has the opportunity to apply restrictions evenly without regard to retail size, subjecting all operations to social distancing and face mask requirements. Fair application will lessen the perception that there are winners and losers.”

Finally, Hois said she thinks Pritzker can began to send the right message by putting aside some of his own policies, like the progressive tax he has been pushing since his days as a candidate, in favor of what’s in the best interests of residents.

“Our state government can help to reduce uncertainty by removing the progressive tax from the ballot and by working with legislators, industry experts and business owners to build plans for resuming economic activity with safe practices that will minimize risks going forward,” she said.