Illinois Valley Times

State Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Elmhurst) reasons it’s easy to see where all the anger and frustration from residents are coming from.

“The protests are an example of people’s frustrations with not allowing the economy to reasonably open back up in a safe manner,” Rezin told the Illinois Valley Times only hours after protesters staged demonstrations outside government buildings in Springfield and downtown Chicago. Protesters are calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to put an end to the extended stay-at-home order that has rendered much of the economy shut down over the last several weeks as a way of mitigating the spread of the virus.

“I believe people are demonstrating to make sure their voices are finally heard,” Rezin said. “Many of the protesters say there is a way to safely open things up looking at the public health data that’s been presented.”

Over the last several weeks, Rezin said she has directly spoken with Pritzker and made it a point of making him aware that a growing number of people downstate don’t think his one-size-fits-all approach to handling the virus works for their region of the state or their way of life.

“He’s aware of the frustrations downstate residents have with his stay-at-home order,” Rezin said. “He’s told me that he worries most about small businesses and his goal is to allow them to open as quickly as possible once a plan is in place.”

As all the new restrictions persist and frustrations mount, a growing number of Republican lawmakers are demanding that the governor work to reconvene a gathering of the General Assembly in Springfield.

“I think we should be back in session and I think we should all we working together on a plan that takes everything into consideration in allowing else to safely restart our economy,” Rezin said.