Judge slaps down Illinois governor’s extended lockdown as unconstitutional

Judge rules against Illinois governor Pritzker extension of stay-at-home order
A judge ruled that the Democratic governor of Illinois, J.B. Pritzker (center), does not have the authority to extend his statewide stay-at-home order three times — calling it a violation of civil rights. (screenshot)

An Illinois judge ruled that Democratic Governor J.B. Pritzker cannot extend his stay-at-home order until May 30 because doing so exceeds his authority. The judge also said that Pritzer’s move “shredded the Constitution.”

In his ruling, Clay County Circuit Judge Michael McHaney sided with Republican state representative Darren Bailey, who sought a temporary restraining order against Pritzker, who wanted to extend his statewide lockdown until May 30.

On March 20, Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order which closed schools, shut down nonessential businesses, and imposed citizen lockdowns. That order was set to expire on April 7.

On March 31, Pritzker extended his lockdown until April 30. He then wanted to make a third extension until May 30.

Critics say Pritzker does not have the authority to repeatedly extend the deadline because state law only gives the governor emergency authority for 30 days.

Illinois state representative Darren Bailey said that’s an overreach on Pritzker’s part and is unconstitutional. Judge Michael McHaney agreed with him.

Oddly, the judge’s order applies only to Bailey. However, it opens the floodgates for other individuals and groups to challenge Pritzer’s stay-at-home order.

Bailey said Illinois residents can take proper precautions to protect themselves without having the government order them around.

“We continue now to do what we do best: Live safely, respectfully and take certain precautions, but not be limited by government,” Bailey said.


(Source: WGN9)

Governor Pritzker responded by blasting Rep. Bailey and vowing to appeal the judge’s order limiting his authority.

“It’s insulting! It’s dangerous and people’s safety and health have now been put at risk,” Pritzker said in a statement. “There may be people who contract coronavirus as a result of what Darren Bailey has done.”

Governor Pritzker has also been criticized for demanding that state prisons release inmates because of COVID-19 fears.

Let that sink in: Pritzker wants law-abiding Americans to basically remain under house arrest. But he wants to release criminals onto the streets so they can spread the coronavirus and commit crimes.

“Our concern is that the governor and the IDOC (Illinois Department of Corrections) are using this pandemic as a way to push their political agenda of releasing inmates, rather than actually looking out for public safety,” said Avery Bourne, a Republican member of the Illinois House of Representatives.

Illinois — which has a population of 12.7 million — has so far recorded 1,983 deaths attributed to the coronavirus.

President Trump slammed Democratic governors who are demanding massive amounts of federal financial aid to combat the coronavirus.

Trump tweeted: “Why should the people and taxpayers of America be bailing out poorly-run states (like Illinois, as an example) and cities, in all cases Democrat-run and managed, when most of the other states are not looking for bailout help?”

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1254782650679615492

While Democrats torched Trump over this tweet, a study of the “100 Most Dangerous Cities in the United States” shows that the most crime-infested cities are run by Democrats.

most dangerous cities baltimore
All of the top 10 most dangerous cities in the US have been run by Democrats for years or decades. (Statista)

Moreover, other research confirms that states run by Democrats have the worst economies.

A 2019 report entitled “Rich States, Poor States” shows that states run by Republicans have the strongest economies.

In contrast, many of the worst-performing states are run by Democrats — meaning Dems control either the governor’s office, the legislature, or both.

In 2019, eight of the top 10 state economies were run by Republicans. In contrast, 9 of the bottom 10 were run by Democrats.

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rich states poor states democrat run cities

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