Dupage Policy Journal

Illinois State Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) says he thinks requiring businesses to have proof of vaccination from customers "won't make a difference" in stopping the surge of COVID-19 cases.

Halbrook's response comes after Democratic Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot issued a requirement that businesses, including restaurants, bars, gyms, and entertainment venues, obtain from customers their proof of vaccination before being allowed entry into the establishment. The requirement went into effect Jan. 3.

"These mandates are about government control," Holbrook told the DuPage Policy Journal. "It is the latest example of the abuse of power we have seen so much of during this pandemic. The people pushing these policies never provide any hard data to support their policy positions and they don't intent to ever provide data because in the end, the policies are not about public health, but rather they are all about the elites punishing the people who dare to disagree with them."

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has confirmed vaccinated people can still contract and spread COVID-19. 

"To single out the unvaccinated out is vindictive and not at all consistent with what we know about the disease," Halbrook said. "But facts don't matter to the political elites. They want power and they don't care who they step on to get it."

New York City implemented a similar vaccine passport system in August. Despite the efforts, COVID-19 cases continued to rise in the city, according to official statistics. 

"This is an overreach and a clear abuse of power," Halbrook added. "I am hopeful the courts will put a stop to these mandates because what they are doing is wrong and unconstitutional, in my view."

He went on to state that he would support businesses who opt not to enforce the vaccine requirement.

Halbrook said he also believes that if more restrictions and mandates are enacted in Illinois, more people will leave the state, only increasing the population loss reported last year. 

According to Wirepoints, the state saw a population decline of 114,000 people in 2021.