Kane County Reporter

When it comes to his constitutional job duties, GOP state Senate candidate Jeanette Ward thinks Gov. J.B. Pritzker could use a refresher course.

“I have publicly stated that the people’s legislature, who represents the taxpayers of Illinois, should be convened and consulted regarding our virus policy,” Ward said. “Governance should not be via one-man edicts from Pritzker.”

Ward argues the governor recently moving to reenact COVID restrictions in at least 24 counties as infection rates have ticked up only sets the stage for more chaos. Already, small business owners still left reeling from earlier shutdown measures are voicing more resistance this time around. With the stakes being as high as they are, Ward said she’s not surprised to see more small business owners now taking matters in their own hands by putting up more resistance this time around, including launching a Facebook page where those planning to defy the governor’s orders can openly interact.

Running against incumbent state Sen. Karina Villa (D-West Chicago), Ward has long been a vocal critic of the way the governor has handled the pandemic, especially when it comes to small businesses.

“I think business owners in Illinois have sacrificed enough,” she told the Kane County Reporter. “Business owners have sacrificed enough. Illinois has had among the longest and most restrictive rules put on them in the nation.”

Ward said she wonders if the governor even understands how big an impact his actions are having all the already cash-strapped state.

“To quarantine the healthy does not make sense,” she said. “I’m very concerned about rises in suicides, depression, domestic abuse and child abuse that lockdowns bring. Businesses are already leaving Illinois and the state already has one of the highest outmigration rates because of the taxes.”

In the end, Ward said she thinks the governor might have ulterior motives for making things look as bad as he can.

“I think he appears intent on causing Illinois to go into bankruptcy so we can receive a federal bailout,” she said.