Lake County Gazette

Thomas McCullagh steams Gov. J.B. Pritzker moving to reinforce COVID-19 restrictions in places like Will County is all part of his long-term plan.

“He wants to have as much devastation as he can show so he can get federal bailout money to apply to our out-of-control pensions and other debt,” McCullagh told the Will County Gazette. “He’s trying to force the government’s hand in gaining emergency assistance and he’s willing to sacrifice anyone to get it.”

With coronavirus cases surging across much of the state, Will County is one of three counties set to face stiffer restrictions after eclipsing positivity rates of as high as 8% over up to a 72-hour period.  The enhanced restrictions, which includes bans on indoor dining and caps on most gatherings at 25 people, are set to immediately go into effect.   

Running against Democrat Meg Loughran Cappel for the right to replace outgoing state Sen. Jennifer Bertino-Tarrant (D-Shorewood) in the 49th District, McCullagh wonders how much more Pritzker and company think struggling residents can take.

“More small businesses than you want to think about are going to fail now,” he said. “So many of them have just been hanging on, and now they’re hit by this. I don’t think the governor takes any of that into consideration.”

In the end, McCullagh said it’s just about the governor being willing to do anything he feels he has to in order to get what he wants.

“Think about the progressive tax,” he said. “He wants to shut down places like Will County that are overwhelmingly a 'No' vote on it. The plan is to limit to all counties that are expected to be higher 'No' votes. It’s really sad, because you’re seeing people’s businesses and futures being destroyed without them being allowed any due process at all.”