The crisis is creating unity for now
Tuesday, Mar 31, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* House Republican Leader Jim Durkin and Senate Republican Leader Bill Brady have both been supportive of Gov. Pritzker’s stay at home order. The Daily Herald reached out to suburban Republican legislators to see what they thought…
A majority of Republicans who responded to the Daily Herald said it’s better to err on the safe side.
“Based on the aggressive nature of this dangerous virus, and how rapidly it appears to be spreading, the governor’s order, which I do support, was warranted,” state Sen. Don DeWitte of St. Charles said. DeWitte added he wants the July 1 increase in the minimum wage postponed because he thinks it’s hard on businesses. […]
“[Rosemont] is supporting the efforts to keep as many folks at home” as possible, [Mayor and Republican state Rep. Brad Stephens] said.
State Sen. Jim Oberweis of Sugar Grove said, “First and foremost, this pandemic is uncharted territory. The extraordinary actions being taken are saving countless lives.”
And, state Rep. Dan Ugaste of Geneva said, “right now, I don’t believe is the time for people in the legislature to be second-guessing what the governor’s done.” Rather lawmakers should support the action and “help the people of Illinois as best as we possibly can through this difficult time.”
Of course, some of the usual suspects are being usual suspects. Go read the rest.
Still, the big takeaway here is that Republicans like Rep. Allen Skillicorn are clearly in the minority.
- Demoralized - Tuesday, Mar 31, 20 @ 12:18 pm:
McSweeney is too busy tweeting day in and day out about cutting taxes to think about anything else. And Skillikorn is too busy being obnoxious about - well, about just about anything. Saw him today complaining about the federal bill.
Again, it’s not all bad that the General Assembly isn’t doing anything. Keeps guys like this away from being a part of any public policymaking
- Oswego Willy - Tuesday, Mar 31, 20 @ 12:21 pm:
=== Still, the big takeaway here is that Republicans like Rep. Allen Skillicorn are clearly in the minority.===
Not so “Magnificent” but wholly “on brand”
To the Post,
I’m heartened and warmed that science and the honest assessment of what is needed is breaking down the partisan barriers for this very important and critical life-saving time.
Being an outlier in normal times is carving a political position. Deciding to ignore science and the public health to be an outlier is not the silly truth that you’re grossly inept, it’s those endangering lives by philosophy, and that should scare folks well outside the dangers they are pushing.
- Proud Papa Bear - Tuesday, Mar 31, 20 @ 12:56 pm:
McSweeney actually did address this. On March 21st he had the foresight to tweet his opposition to the stay-at-home order.
That tweet aged about as well as milk.
- Cheryl44 - Tuesday, Mar 31, 20 @ 1:02 pm:
I’d be so embarrassed if either of those two represented me.
- Froganon - Tuesday, Mar 31, 20 @ 2:08 pm:
Sillicorn will be gone in November. Suzanne Ness and her voters will hand him his walking papers.