Judge strikes down Pritzker’s COVID-19 orders, extended emergency powers

By Joe Tabor

07/03/2020

Clay County Judge Michael McHaney said Pritzker’s emergency powers stemming from the COVID-19 outbreak lapsed on April 8, and any executive orders relating to COVID-19 finding their authority under those emergency powers are void.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, JB Pritzker

What powers does Pritzker have in an emergency? And what has he ordered so far?

By Joe Tabor

06/15/2020

In the case of an epidemic like COVID-19, Illinois governors are given a wide range of emergency powers for a limited period of time.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, emergency, executive order, JB Pritzker

Despite business, lawmaker suits, Pritzker grants himself emergency powers for 4th time

By Joe Tabor

06/09/2020

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker for the fourth time extended by 30 days his emergency powers to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic. Businesses and lawmakers are amending lawsuits in response.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, emergency, executive order

Illinois shed 762,200 jobs in April, 12.5 times greater than worst month on record

By Bryce Hill

05/22/2020

Record job losses hit the state during the first full month of COVID-19 economic fallout.

TAGS: BLS: Bureau of Labor Statistics, coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, IDES: Illinois Department of Employment Security, JB Pritzker, jobs

Illinois tops list for harshest COVID-19 restrictions in America

By Ben Szalinski

05/22/2020

Illinois was ranked as the most restrictive state in the U.S. in a survey of COVID-19 actions that impact everyday life.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order

Pritzker threatens local police who don’t enforce his stay-at-home order

By Ben Szalinski

05/21/2020

The governor has made a series of threats against business owners and officials to force compliance with his executive order.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, police

Pritzker forced to withdraw criminal penalties for small business owners who defy his order

By Brad Weisenstein

05/20/2020

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker rescinded the rule that could have put defiant business owners in jail for up to a year. He first imposed it when his authority to close them during the pandemic was challenged.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, reopen, small business

These lawmakers will decide whether to criminalize small business owners who defy Pritzker order

By Mindy Ruckman

05/19/2020

Small business owners trying to save their livelihoods could face up to a year in prison under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s new emergency rules, unless a key committee fights back.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, small business

Illinois’ small business owners face imprisonment, $2,500 fine for reopening under Pritzker’s order

By Ben Szalinski

05/18/2020

The governor’s new penalty comes without approval from the Illinois General Assembly.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, small business

State legal memo: Illinois governor needs lawmakers’ approval before extending emergency powers

By Joe Tabor

05/18/2020

Amid a recent series of lawsuits, the 2001 informal opinion by the Illinois Attorney General’s office concludes the emergency powers granted a governor during a disaster cannot be extended beyond 30 days without legislative approval.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, emergency, executive order