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Republicans Ask For Modifications To Regional Plan, Says Governor Should Not Withhold Aid From FEMA

File photo from 2019 of Avery Bourne (R-Raymond)
Brian Mackey
/
NPR Illinois
File photo from 2019 of Avery Bourne (R-Raymond)

A group of downstate Illinois lawmakers are calling again for an alternative plan to reopen the state’s economy.

Those lawmakers said since economic and social interaction levels differ in certain areas of the state, Illinois should be divided into 11 regions instead than the four broad regions already laid out by the state’s public health authority. 

Rep. Avery Bourne (R, Montgomery County) said the caucus is not asking for the entire state to reopen immediately.

“We’re asking for this to be more targeted, certainly following guidelines to make sure people are safe,” she said.

Bourne said some communities are suffering because of their neighbors, like those in the Northeast region of the state. Some suburban communities argue they’re being held back because they are lumped in with Cook County, even though many already meet the state’s criteria to move to Phase Three of the governor’s reopening plan, when some lockdown measures will be lifted.

File photo from 2019 of Avery Bourne (R-Raymond)
Credit Brian Mackey / NPR Illinois
/
NPR Illinois
File photo from 2019 of Avery Bourne (R-Raymond)

Although all four regions are set to move to that Phase of the plan by the end of the month, lawmakers said those regions should already have moved forward to the next phase. They said the date is set by the governors own political calculations.

“If you’re going to set guidelines on when regions should move, then you should follow those guidelines,” said Bourne. “These phases should be moving more quickly.”

The Illinois Municipal League, a group representing towns and villages, is suggesting the governor reduce the 28 day period to two weeks and use the already-designated 11 EMS regions as dividing lines.

Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady (R, Bloomington) wants the General Assembly to hold hearings on that proposal next week when the legislature returns to Springfield.

House GOP members also showed disapproval with Governor Pritzker over comments he made suggesting he may withhold federal disaster funds from towns and cities that open up on their own.

Rep. Tim Butler (R, Springfield) said the governor shouldn’t send threats to businesses.

“I don’t think the governor shouldn’t be threatening anyone on federal tax dollars that are pass-through dollars to our community,” Butler said.

“These are formula funds that get filled out in a lot of ways, and for the governor to hold that over our communities’ head...I think [that’s] ridiculous.”

Butler said counties across the state are acting on their own because they say they’re not receiving guidance from the governor. If they continue to wait, he argues, communities will be economically endangered.

Pritzker dismissed that assertion during a press briefing Thursday, saying his office has been in regular communication with local and state leaders. Meanwhile, both the Illinois Insurance Association and the Illinois Trial Lawyers Association have warned businesses they could face consequences for not adhering to the governor’s orders

Copyright 2020 NPR Illinois | 91.9 UIS

Olivia Mitchell is a graduate Public Affairs Reporting intern for the spring 2020 legislative session.
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