Lake County Gazette

Newly elected Illinois State Rep. Chris Bos (R-Lake Zurich) said he could almost see the rebellion against Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) coming.

“I think what we’re seeing now is what you get when you have a governor that operates alone, neglecting to utilize local representatives as equal, co-branches of government,” Bos told the Lake County Gazette. 

"In times like these, we need to be listening to all sides and hearing from the business owners that are being deeply impacted by his decisions. People are doing what they think they need to in order to save themselves," Bos said.

Illinois Governer J.B. Pritzker (D) | Wikipedia commons

Among those at the head of the list is McHenry County State’s attorney Patrick Kenneally, who has vowed not to enforce the ban on indoor dining the governor has now enacted across the region.

“People are sick and tired and they’re not seeing the scientific evidence the governor keeps touting as the basis for his decisions,” Bos said, who recently defeated incumbent state Rep. Mary Edly-Allen (D-Libertyville) in the 51st District with 54% of the vote. 

"There’s nothing that shows us restaurants are the leading cause for the spread of COVID," Bos said. 

Bos explained Pritzker now threatening to strip businesses that violate his order of state licenses is just more of the same flawed thinking.

“It’s really petty for him to be threatening those establishments that are just trying to survive,” Bos said. 

“They see the light at the end of the tunnel beginning to dim and are wondering how they’re supposed to provide for their families and their workers. These small business owners feel targeted when you look around and see the big box retailers pretty much operating at full capacity. It just doesn’t add up," Bos said.

Bos stated that he almost hopes the governor takes some of the legal steps he’s now threatening to.

“That way we can get some legal experts involved and once and for all can establish just how wrong what he’s doing really is,” Bos said.

Bos added he doesn’t know how much longer Illinois can be Illinois given some of Pritzker’s actions.

“Many of these small business owners were already weary of still operating here with all the red tape and tax burden they have to deal with,” Bos said. 

“Now, you’ve got a governor making the situation worse with all his unilateral decisions. These owners are looking around the country and seeing how they can grow and operate in other states and really don’t have to be here," Bos said.