Since Governor Pritzker’s ‘Stay at Home’ order took effect in March, State Representative Charlie Meier (R-Okawville) has been busy helping small businesses with their questions concerning whether or not they are an essential business outlined by Governor Pritzker’s executive order. According to Rep. Meier, “Now the questions have shifted from ‘when will the state allow me to open’ to ‘what happens when my local government says my business can reopen, but not the State of Illinois’?”
“It’s time for the legislature to get back to work and develop a plan to safely reopen Illinois,” said Rep. Meier. “The governor should not be the sole elected official making a one size fits all approach for the entire state. His plan does not take into account that Chicago is not the same as southern Illinois.”
Small businesses licensed by the State of Illinois that are questioning whether to reopen despite Governor Pritzker’s executive order include but are not limited to; athletic trainers, barbers, cosmetologists, estheticians, massage therapists, nail technicians, and liquor licenses for bars, restaurants, and hotels.
“I hope the Governor will respect and not interfere with our local government’s decision and the decision made by our health departments,” said Rep. Meier. “With that said, I am concerned Governor Pritzker will put the squeeze on state agencies by forcing them to pull any license away from a business that reopens despite his executive order. I am told several bars and restaurants in the region have already been warned if they don’t follow the executive order, they will lose their state license.”
Representative Meier recommends small businesses considering reopening despite the governor’s executive order, to assess their liability by talking with their insurance provider and attorney. Meier reiterated that he supports a plan to safely reopen southern Illinois while encouraging small businesses that reopen to also follow the recommended guidelines provided by their local health department.
“Illinoisans continue to make tremendous sacrifices to help slow the spread of the coronavirus,” said Rep. Meier. “The virus should be taken seriously, but it does not mean our local economy should remain closed for months or years until a vaccine is available. It’s time to begin reopening our economy in a manner that is safe and healthy for our region.”