Kane County Reporter

Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL) recently declared his 40th COVID-19-related emergency order, according to Illinois Policy.

“All sectors of the economy reopen with new health and hygiene practices permanently in place," Phase 5 of Pritzker's Restore Illinois plan reads. "Large gatherings of all sizes can resume. Public health experts focus on lessons learned and building out the public health infrastructure needed to meet and overcome future challenges.”

Pritzker has used emergency power for nearly three-quarters of his time in office across two terms. He previously stated that his declarations will end on May 11 to coincide with President Joe Biden's official ending of the federal state of emergency.

"None of Illinois’ neighbor states are ruled through emergency powers," Dylan Sharkey of Illinois Policy wrote. "Illinois is one of just six states nationwide still calling the COVID-19 pandemic an emergency, with five of the six led by Democratic governors. Pritzker could keep extending his emergency powers if he sees fit. The Illinois General Assembly -- a coequal branch of state government -- has taken no action to stop him from issuing executive disaster orders every 30 days as the previous ones expire."

Sharkey, and many members of the public, no longer consider the pandemic to be an "emergency."

"Anything lasting three years is no longer an emergency, but rather a regular state of affairs over which the Illinois General Assembly should debate and legislate as needed," he wrote.