Two Illinois border states revoke governors’ mask mandates

By Laura Bianchi

04/08/2021

High courts in Wisconsin and Michigan have both ruled governors cannot repeatedly issue disaster declarations as a basis for mask mandates and other orders without legislative approval. A year into the pandemic, Illinois’ governor is still doing it.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, lockdown, Michigan, reopen, Wisconsin

Pritzker adds another phase before getting Illinois to full reopening

By Patrick Andriesen

03/19/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and his public health chief decided their five-phase plan to lift COVID-19 restrictions needed another phase. The new phase calls for more places to open after more older residents are vaccinated, but with mask mandates.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, reopen, restrictions

Where are Chicago parents at the bargaining table?

By Mailee Smith, Ann Miller

02/09/2021

With the Chicago Teachers Union finally deciding students can return to classrooms, parent groups are clamoring to be heard. Unfortunately, Illinois law prohibits them from having much say about schools reopening.

TAGS: CPS: Chicago Public Schools, CTU: Chicago Teachers Union, reopen, strike

Illinois ranks second-last when it comes to reopening bars and restaurants

By Joe Barnas

06/25/2020

A study from WalletHub ranks Illinois 50th-most severe on COVID-19 restrictions on bars and restaurants. 233,500 jobs were lost in that sector since February.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, reopen, stay at home order

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 J.B. Pritzker rescinded the rule that could have put defiant business owners in jail for up to a year.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

Opposition to Pritzker’s lockdown spreading rapidly

By Brad Weisenstein

05/15/2020

Opposition to Pritzker’s order is growing, as small business owners sue to challenge the governor’s ability to order them into ruin.

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

Pritzker threatens to use state police against businesses reopening early

By Ben Szalinski

05/13/2020

Polling has found the vast majority of Illinoisans support reopening small retail businesses.

TAGS: coronavirus, covid, economy, executive order, illinois state police, JB Pritzker, reopen

3-in-4 Illinoisans support reopening small businesses immediately

By Ben Szalinski, Brad Weisenstein

05/13/2020

Small businesses have struggled since their doors were forced to close March 21. A new poll shows 75% of Illinoisans want them to be allowed to reopen now.

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

4 problems with Pritzker’s reopening plan

By Amy Korte

05/11/2020

‘Restore Illinois’ is short on details about when and how Illinoisans can get back to work.

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