SE Illinois News

GOP state House candidate David Friess wonders if Illinois will ever be the same.

“I don't know if Illinois' small business economy will ever rebound to what it was prior to the pandemic,” Friess, challenging incumbent state Rep. Nathan Reitz (D-Steeleville) in the 116th District, told the SE Illinois News. “It is estimated 25% of small businesses will not survive. As if the initial lockdown wasn't hard enough for small businesses, per the governor's edicts, restaurants, bars and other small businesses will not be able to completely reopen until there is a vaccine and effective and widely available treatment or the elimination of new cases over a sustained period of time.”

Even with the governor now allowing the state to move into the Phase Four of his five-phase Restore Illinois plan where more businesses are free to open with fewer restrictions and gatherings of up to 50 people and indoor dining at restaurants is now permitted,” Friess fears the damage has already been done.

“If not the state as a whole, at least certain regions should be able to move forward to the next phase of the governor's reopening plan,” he added. “Rural areas of the state, i.e. Southern Illinois, have very few if any active cases. For example, as of June 26, 2020, Randolph County has zero active cases of COVID-19. Randolph County, and similarly situated counties, should be permitted to fully reopen. That is why it is critical we have courageous leaders who will stand up to the Chicago Democrats who are forcing us all to live by their rules.”

Friess, a Red Bud resident, said part of turning Springfield around revolves around simply having lawmakers courageous enough to take a stand for what they know is right.

“I'm running to support and protect our Southern Illinois values and businesses,” he said. “That means standing up to Pritzker, (House Speaker Mike) Madigan and the corrupt Democrats who are destroying our local economy.”