Bipartisan group of lawmakers objects to Pritzker’s endless COVID rules

By Dylan Sharkey

10/21/2022

Members of the Illinois General Assembly’s bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules are questioning the prolonged state of emergency regarding COVID-19. Gov. J.B. Pritzker has declared a state of emergency 35 times.

TAGS: executive order, JB Pritzker

Pritzker mandates masks in health care clinics one day after mask mandate ends

By Dylan Sharkey

03/01/2022

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has revised the indoor mask mandate issued in August, limiting indoor masking to health care and congregate facilities. Also, he said the Illinois Department of Public Health director is resigning.

TAGS: executive order, JB Pritzker, mask mandate

COVID-19 tests, masks required to see some of Illinois State Fair

By Noah Shaar

08/10/2021

2021’s Illinois State Fair will require all visitors to wear masks indoors and prove vaccination or a negative test to enter certain venues.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, Illinois, JB Pritzker, masks, Springfield, State Fair, vaccine

Pritzker declares disaster for 16th time despite June 11 reopening prediction

By Patrick Andriesen

06/01/2021

Illinois could fully reopen by June 11, but Gov. J.B. Pritzker decided the state was still a disaster zone and he needed emergency powers until the end of June.

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

Pritzker closes indoor dining throughout Illinois starting Nov. 4

11/02/2020

All of Illinois will be under tighter restrictions starting Wednesday, with Gov. J.B. Pritzker imposing an indoor dining ban as his answer to the spread of COVID-19.

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

Pritzker locks down more Illinois regions, again hitting struggling bars and restaurants

By Bryce Hill

10/29/2020

A “conservative” estimate predicted 20% of Illinois restaurants would not survive COVID-19 closure orders, but predictions ranged as high as 85%. Some are fighting back.

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

Judge allows restaurant to stay open for indoor dining despite Pritzker’s executive order

By Joe Tabor

10/28/2020

A Kane County judge granted FoxFire’s request for a temporary restraining order against the governor’s recent COVID-19 executive orders banning indoor dining.

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

Pritzker issues 9th emergency declaration to extend COVID-19 powers

By Joe Tabor

10/21/2020

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has issued a ninth disaster proclamation, extending his emergency powers for another 30 days over all of Illinois.

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

Illinois becomes only state to ban haunted houses

10/03/2020

Other states warned residents about small spaces inside haunted houses creating a risk for spreading COVID-19, but Illinois is all alone in outlawing them.

TAGS: executive order, haunted house, JB Pritzker

Michigan Supreme Court rules against emergency powers similar to Pritzker’s

By Joe Tabor

10/02/2020

The Michigan Supreme Court concluded that Gov. Gretchen Whitmer could not legally extend her emergency executive orders without the approval of the legislature, while declaring another source of her authority unconstitutional altogether.

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

Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

Illinois is home to one of the worst pension crises in the country.1 At 39% funded, according to the nonpartisan Pew Charitable Trusts, Illinois has the worst pension funding ratio of any state.2 By contrast, neighboring Wisconsin’s pension system is 103% funded.3 In fiscal year 2022, Illinois’ total general funds pension costs, including pension bond...

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Fixing Illinois pension crisis by amending nation’s most-restrictive pension law is legal, effective

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Cathy Stuehmeier

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students