Illinois Valley Times

Illinois state Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Elmhurst) said she is blown away by Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s talk of withholding federal funding from local counties at a time when the whole state is pressed for revenue due to the economic shutdown stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic.

“I do not believe he should be able to withhold much needed funds like that,” Rezin told the Illinois Valley Times. “I’m talking with people all the time about how we’re going to be able to come through this pandemic, so the thought that the governor would be even considering something like this is really disappointing.”

Faced with growing opposition to the stay-at-home order he initially enacted two months ago and has since extended through the end of May, Pritzker revealed he may be willing to go as far withholding federal funds from counties and getting law enforcement involved against small business owners that defy his mandate by seeking to reopen their economies prior to the timeline he has established.

“I’ve spoken with local law enforcement and down here they indicate they won’t be enforcing the rule the governor is trying to pass,” she said. “We all need to be doing everything we can to uplift our small businesses. The governor needs to understand that.”

With the General Assembly expected to be back in session in Springfield this month, Rezin said she has a growing list of things she would like to see on the agenda.

“Illinois is becoming an outlier when it comes to be looked upon as a good place for small businesses,” she said. “We’re sending the wrong message about where we stand and by putting’ our small business owners in such a bad position."