Will County GOP blasts Pritzker’s effort to enforce face covering mandate

Businesses not complying could be fined up to $2,500

By ALEX ORTIZ August 11, 2020

The Will County Republican Party decried new rules announced by Gov. JB Pritzker meant to enforce the wearing of face coverings to slow the spread of COVID-19.

The Republicans called penalties for businesses which don’t comply, including a fine of up to $2,500, “unconstitutional,” according to a news release.

Pritzker announced Friday the Illinois Department of Public Health would file emergency rules for businesses, schools and child care establishments on the use of face coverings and the size of gatherings.

Businesses not complying with the face covering mandate would first be given a written warning and then an order to have patrons leave if they continue not to comply before being fined between $75 and $2,500.

“As small business owners and residents across the state spoke out against this blatant attempt to shut down the Illinois economy again, Democrat state lawmakers are silent,” the party said in a news release.

The Will County GOP urged its supporters to call members of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules to “hold the Governor accountable.” Republicans asked citizens to “rise up again to combat yet another wrong done by this Governor,” according to the release.

The party also provided potential callers with talking points to argue it was “wrong to fine a business for a customer’s actions,” and that the rule would “hurt Illinois businesses and Illinois’ fragile economy.”

Local GOP leaders have also sued Pritzker for restricting activities to slow the spread of COVID-19.