East Central Reporter

Illinois state Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland) argues a Clay County judge yielded the only decision he could in finding that Gov. J.B. Pritzker abused his power by extending the stay-at-home order he enacted across the entire state beyond 30 days.

“It’s obvious to anyone that knows the law that what the governor did exceeded his authority and showed a total disregard for the people of this state,” Miller told the East Central Reporter. “I’ve been telling people to open up their businesses and go back to work, now I’m just saying it louder.”

State Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) filed suit in April naming Pritzker as a defendant and alleging he had no authority to extend the executive order he enacted in shutting down what he deemed to be non-essential businesses as a way of mitigating the spread of the virus.

“I’ve been skeptical and cynical from the very beginning,” Miller added. “I think everyone needs to just open up their businesses and get back to work. So much of this has been about nothing more than political theater and trying to bring down President (Donald) Trump. It certainly wasn't based on any science."

Miller said the list of victims caught up in the governor’s web of overreaction seems endless.

“So many people and businesses have been hurt by all this and a lot of it was just so unnecessary,” he said. “From all the small businesses to all the hospitals that were forced to close their doors to everything in anticipation of the rush of coronavirus cases that never came you find victims everywhere.”

In the end, Miller said people have to be left to make decisions for themselves after being given the best information.

“We can’t let fear and intimidation rule us anymore,” he said.