Illinois Valley Times

Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s plan to reopen Illinois is in disarray, according to state Sen. Win Stoller (R-Germantown Hills).

Stoller has released a statement following the governor’s announcement of the Bridge to Phase 5 plan. He says the “bridge” is creating more gaps and unclear directions toward the fulfillment of restoring Illinois; leaves more people questioning the indicators, method, and processes being followed; and has left legislators clueless.

“The newly announced 'bridge phase' presents Illinoisans with a confusing and ambiguous path to reopening,” Stoller said in his statement. “The lack of explanation about the data and metrics used to create the new phase’s standards has left many residents frustrated.”

The senator also pointed out that “Instead of being transparent with the people of Illinois, the governor has decided, behind closed doors and with zero input from the General Assembly, to once again move the goal posts for reopening.”

The Restore Illinois plan, which according to the Coronavirus Response website “is a five-phased plan [that] will reopen our state, guided by health metrics and with distinct business, education, and recreation activities characterizing each phase.”

Some of the requirements to moving to Phase 5 would require more than 70 percent of the population aged 65 and older to have received the first dose of the vaccine, maintaining a stable number in hospital COVID-19 patient admissions, and 20 percent ICU-bed availability which will be tracked over a 28-day monitoring period.

The monitoring period starts when all regions of the state are moved to Phase 4. 

Once the Bridge to Phase 5 has been reached, if case rates increase over a 10-day monitoring period, a possibility to revert to Phase 4 would happen.