SE Illinois News

Republican state House candidate David Friess is accusing Gov. J.B. Pritzker of politicizing the COVID-19 pandemic as a way of securing more power for himself.

“The governor is wrong to try to withhold federal funds from the counties or local municipalities,” Friess, now running against incumbent state Rep. Nathan Reitz (D-Steeleville) in the 116th District, told the SE Illinois News. “These are federal funds intended to help those in need. Unfortunately, it appears this pandemic has become political and the governor is taking advantage of the situation and trying to grab more power.”

Facing a growing level of resistance to the stay-at-home order he initially enacted two months ago and has since extended through the end of May, Pritzker revealed he may be willing to go as far withholding federal funds from counties and getting law enforcement involved against small business owners that defy his mandate by seeking to reopen their economies prior to the timeline he has established.

“I don't believe the governor has demonstrated a justification for extending his stay-at-home order,” Friess said. “The stay-at-home order was initiated to slow the spread of the virus so hospitals and intensive care units would not be overwhelmed. We have accomplished those goals; however, the governor refuses to lift the stay at home order and refuses to allow our businesses get back to work.”

With lawmakers expected to return to Springfield sometime this month, Friess said he is hoping the voice of the people of the state can finally be heard.

“Critical decisions about the direction of the state at a time of crisis such as the current pandemic should not be left solely to the governor,” he said. “The governor is making decisions that affect the entire state without giving any consideration how those decisions affect businesses and citizens in Southern Illinois. The members of the state legislature know their respective districts and the communities they represent better than the governor.”