Lake County Gazette

In the eyes of veteran state Sen. Craig Wilcox (R-McHenry), the people of Illinois have simply grown tired of feeling victimized.

“Right now, you’re seeing plenty of discussion about the balance between civil liberties being suppressed and what people are willing to accept,” Wilcox told the Lake County Gazette of all the mounting tension stemming from Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently extending the stay-at-home order he first implemented back in March as a way of slowing the spread of COVID-19.

“I think everyone understands there is definitely an infection out there and now the question becomes do they agree with their rights to due process being trampled over,” he said.

As frustrations rise, hundreds of protesters recently took to the streets for demonstrations outside state government buildings in Springfield and downtown Chicago where they called on the governor to put an end to the decree that has forced small businesses across the state to bolt to their doors after the government deemed them nonessential.

“You’re seeing more lawsuits being filed and people starting to openly question how big-box stores can remain open for business while small business owners remain shuttered and unable to make a living for themselves,” Wilcox said. “This notion that opening things back up means not practicing social distancing and not taking precautions makes no sense. We’re doing those things now at all the businesses they’ve allowed to remain open for business and that won’t stop because more stores are able to open.”

Wilcox said it’s hard to tell how long people will continue to go along with the governor’s orders.

“People are making their own decisions in terms of how long they will comply,” he said. “They understand that the governor’s logic for doing the things that he’s doing just doesn’t seem logical.”