Dupage Policy Journal

State Rep. Amy Grant (R-Wheaton) fumes that small business owners are repeatedly being required to do the most in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s ongoing battle against COVD-19.

“First it was them being forced to shut down for months and now this,” Grant told the DuPage Policy Journal. “I don’t know how much the governor thinks they can or should have to take.”

Grant sees the latest burden being placed on them having to do with the governor’s push to enact a rule that would allow small businesses to be fined up to $2,500 for failing to enforce regulations for face coverings and social distancing. So far, the governor is defending his proposal as a tool that will aid law enforcement, local boards of health, school districts and the general public in enforcing the use of face coverings and social gathering restrictions.

“I think it would be terribly unfair to put that burden on any business,” Grant added. “If the governor wants to make a proclamation stipulating any of this, he needs to call lawmakers back in session and do it in a setting where all the pieces of government can have a voice and are able to express their views.”

Back in May, Pritzker tried enacting similar legislation, but withdrew it before a planned Joint Commission on Administrative Rules hearing amid much criticism.

Grant wonders how the governor can even think of now placing that burden on business owners when so many of them are struggling so mightily just to keep their doors open and their businesses operating.

“But then, this is how the governor operates,” she said. “He likes being in control and being in charge and he doesn’t seem to care about what it takes for him to stay there.”