Lake County Gazette

State Rep. Martin McLaughlin (R-Barrington Hills) is pitching in against a recently introduced bill that would allow for politicians to take “any means necessary” to control COVID-19 and other public health issues.

The bill – HB 4640 – is sponsored by State Rep. Deb Conroy (D-Villa Park). It has been roundly criticized for its authoritarian tone.

“This legislator obviously does not understand what her job is, or where her authority lies as an elected state representative,” McLaughlin told the Lake County Gazette “She does not get to unilaterally declare that constitutionally protected rights of individuals are no longer relevant in our state or let alone in her representative district.”

Conroy’s bill would allow the state to "isolate or quarantine persons who are unable or unwilling to receive vaccines, medications, or other treatments."

“Former Illinoisan Ronald Reagan said it best, ‘The most terrifying words in the English language are: I'm from the government and I'm here to help,’” McLaughlin said. “ Uh ….no thank you on HB 4640 Rep. Conroy.”

Conroy’s bill would give local health departments and state politicians formal legal authority to fully control the behavior of any individuals who don't follow their COVID-19 restrictions and rules, including keeping people isolated and under police guard.

Local health departments can "adopt any rules" necessary, according to its text which could include internment-pike camps favored in Australia right now where those deemed risks can be arrested and transported to “isolation camps” where they are locked in rooms and given meals one time per day. Three escapees from one camp in Howard Spring were recently “captured.”

Conroy is currently running for election to the DuPage County Board Chairman post. Political observers have noted the extreme language in the bill will diminish her chances of being elected to the post that pays nearly $128,000 per year. Her legislative salary is currently nearly $70,0000 per year before other add-ons.

Illinois already has some of the strictest protocols surrounding COVID-19 of any of the states.

The legislation comes as CDC and Johns Hopkins University are reporting natural immunity provides more protection against COVID-19 than vaccines.