East Central Reporter

Republican state Rep. Chris Miller (R-Oakland) fumes Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s hypocrisy knows no bounds.

“The governor continues to make decisions based on his own selfish, political motives,” Miller told the East Central Reporter. “We’ve allowed him to be a dictator instead of a governor.”

Miller points to Pritzker’s current fall ban on high school sports out of COVID-19 concerns as the latest example of him overstepping his authority. Pritzker recently doubled down on his decision not to allow most student-athletes to take the field over COVID-19 concerns, sparking protests from parents, students and coaches all across the state.

The Illinois High School Association fired off a letter to Pritzker requesting that they be allowed “to resume control over determining the resumption of sports and activities.” 

“Kids should be playing and doing all the things they normally do,” Miller added. “Kids are being allowed to play everywhere while we’re punishing our kids, screwing with their lives without any concern about the psychological, emotional or practical damage being done.”

Currently, IHSA is allowing teams across the state to practice this month under specific COVID-19 guidelines.

“At this point, he would have to be terribly deceived to think he’s making decisions based on science,” Miller added. “I don’t how to you can convince yourself you’re doing any of this to keep kids safe.”

In the end, Miller said he thinks many of the governor’s actions are fueled simply by Democrats' disdain for President Donald Trump.

“I totally think these actions are tied to their hate for Trump and the hope that if we keep this charade going it will negatively impact the election,” he said. “From encouraging the rioting and the looting, it’s all to try to make the president look bad.”

Through it all, Miller said he sees just one victim.

“I feel sorry for the kids,” he said. “I think the decision is one that should totally be left to the parents, kids and local school board.”