Dupage Policy Journal

Illinois Republican House candidate Michael Camerer of Bartlett is convinced Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s single-minded approach is the last thing the state needs in its high-stakes battle to reopen the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

“We need a more localized approach that takes into account our communities' individual differences,” Camerer, who's on the ballot against incumbent Diane Pappas (D-Itasca) in the 45th District this November, told the DuPage Policy Journal. “Bartlett is different from the Chicago Loop and should be treated differently.”

Camerer said he doesn’t expect the governor’s new five-phase plan for fully restarting the economy on a regional basis to make things any better.

Even as he points out that the state is already in the plan's Phase 2, which allows nonessential stores to open on a limited basis, the governor recently said he doesn’t envision the state reaching Phase 5 of the plan, or the point of being ready to fully reopen for business, until a vaccine or effective treatment for the virus becomes available.

In the meantime, Camerer laments more people are left to suffer.

“Instead of limiting reopenings to big box stores, we should allow our community businesses to reopen starting with a similar focus on protecting public health,” he said. “We should pursue a regionally appropriate, locally focused, reopening strategy that helps people get back to work in the medium and long term.”

Camerer argues Pritzker’s plan falls far short of reaching such levels, and really has no chance of faring any better as long as it’s being put forth as it's currently constructed.

“This approach requires an engaged and involved General Assembly and leadership from our local state representative who is supposed to fight for our interests,” he said. “That is why the General Assembly must find a way to engage in the reopening discussion and return to session. Sitting idly by isn't good enough.”