Kane County Reporter

House Rep. Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee) took to Twitter to speak out against Gov. J.B. Pritzker's forceful shutdown of the Hobby Lobby in Peru.

"Hey ⁦@GovPritzker⁩ is it true you threatened #HobbyLobby?" Skillicorn tweeted. "Leaders don’t need force, only tyrants and dictators act this way. Thousands of #IL crafters need to know the answer. Hobby Lobby In Peru Forced To Shut Down #twill #OPENUPAMERICANOW"

Several of Skillcorn's followers replied to the tweet, calling Pritzker's behavior unacceptable. 

"We cannot longer tolerate this nonsense," one individual responded.

Another suggested protesting in front of Pritzker's residence.

The Peru Hobby Lobby opened for two days before again shutting down. It was the only Hobby Lobby store to reopen, WLPO reported.

The news agency reported that Peru Mayor Scott Harl said someone had complained to the Illinois State Police Department about the craft store reopening, followed by the state police contacting the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity for clarity on the situation.

When the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity deemed Hobby Lobby non-essential, it was forced to close again, the news agency reported.

WLPO reached out to the Peru store and spoke with a manager known only by the name "Alex" who confirmed the store closed again, but he did not provide further information.

After the pandemic began, Hobby Lobby made national headlines for refusing to close its stores across the country. The craft store eventually agreed to shut down and furloughed its workers, the news agency reported.

The craft store closed all of its store on April 3, according to ABC News.

"We know our customers relied on us to provide essential products, including materials to make personal protective equipment, such as face masks, educational supplies for the countless parents who are now educating their children from home, and the thousands of small arts and crafts businesses who rely on us for supplies to make their products," a statement provided to ABC News stated.