Lake County Gazette

GOP state Senate candidate Chris Kasperski says Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic has become memorable for all the wrong reasons.

“Gov. Pritzker's restrictions are the harshest in the nation,” Kasperski, now running against longtime incumbent state Sen. Melinda Bush (D-Grayslake) in the 31st District, told the Lake County Gazette. “Illinois tends to lead the country in all the wrong ways and this is yet another example of that.”

Indeed, a new WalletHub.com survey concludes that Pritzker has done more to “restrict everyday life” across the state than any other governor in the country. Researchers note that despite having roughly only half of the cases of COVID-19 that New York City does, Illinois ranks 10 spots ahead of the Empire State when it comes to restrictions.

“By dragging this out as long as he can, Gov. Pritzker has allowed his investments into coronavirus testing and labs to mature as much as possible,” Kasperski added. “His arbitrary standards have done irreparable harm to Illinois families and businesses.”

Now, more than two months into the statewide stay-at-home order he enacted, the survey comes as resistance is growing to the policies the governor instituted without taking any suggestions from the state legislature into consideration.

“I welcome any relaxation of the governor's restrictions on our liberty,” Kasperski said of his five-phase plan recently moving to Phase 3. “I hope that it does make a difference, although I remain concerned for all those who remain in limbo because their businesses don't fall in line with one of the governor's categories. The purpose of these orders was to ensure that our hospital systems were not over-burdened. We accomplished that feat weeks ago, and now we have more capacity and testing capability than ever. It is time for Illinois to get back to work and play.”

With the study using such metrics as mask requirements, travel restrictions, gathering restrictions, school and restaurant closures, and the ability for non-essential businesses and child care to open, Illinois ranked near the bottom in most categories, while such neighboring states as Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa and Indiana all ranked in the Top 16 for least restrictions.  

Kasperski said he worries about the lasting impact the governor’s policies could have on the state’s small business industry.  

“Our small businesses can come back if the state gives them a chance,” he said. “If the governor is going to make them hold their breath until we find a cure or until the virus is eradicated, then it logically follows that many small businesses will not be able to overcome that.”