* From Gov. Pritzker’s news media briefing today…
Will the state take any additional steps to enforce the stay at home order now that more county sheriffs are refusing to step in?…
You’ve heard us talk about that yesterday. So the answer is, I’d refer everybody to what I said yesterday about the fact that not only should people follow this, but there will be consequences. Also know that there were leaders in the legal community this morning that spoke about the challenges that will be brought to those local law enforcement to local governments and to businesses that are open, because they’re putting people at risk, they’re making their communities unsafe, and they’ll be subject to liability as a result.
* Illinois Sheriffs’ Association…
Illinois Sheriffs have been elected by their local citizens to keep their communities safe, a trust that every sheriff and sworn law enforcement officer holds dear. It is outrageous that the Governor is threatening retaliation against these leaders and the men and women of their offices. He is insulting heroic police officers, corrections officers and local voters.
*** UPDATE *** The Association’s president is Wayne County Sheriff Mike Everett. That’s the home of Fairfield’s Barb Wire Grill.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 4:42 pm:
Pretend the EO is African Americans protesting police brutality or jogging unarmed somwhere.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 4:43 pm:
Meh.
Are the Sherriffs concerned *they* may get sued?
If there’s no danger, why the worry?
- Rich Hill - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 4:46 pm:
“Law and order.”
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 4:46 pm:
I don’t think that’s really the Governor threatening retaliation.
Also — I’m not sure I would consider the typical county Sheriff — Especially downstate — a competent public health official.
- Thereal - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 4:48 pm:
How did sheriff’s association feel about feds threatening to restrict funds to “sanctuary cities?”
- Mr. K. - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 4:52 pm:
The pressure seems to be building for a kind of free-for-all — a forced herd immunity kind of thing. Govs and medical folks will say, wait — don’t do that.
But people seem to be rushing in — despite all the science. I think Rick Bright is right when he says we’re in for a dark winter.
I can’t believe this is happening, actually.
- pc - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 4:59 pm:
Clearer and clearer that the rule of law was only ever for “Chicago” or “Cook County”
- Yiddishcowboy - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 5:00 pm:
I cant wait to receive a request that I renew my membership in this organization. With this drek, over-the-top press pop from ISA, I think I’ll take a pass and not so diplomatically explain my rationale.
- Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 5:02 pm:
There may be consequences for police and sheriff personnel if they choose not to enforce the law. Crazy world….
- In_The_Middle - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 5:03 pm:
“sworn law ENFORCEMENT officer” not “sworn law INTERPRETER officer”. Sheriffs are part of the Executive branch, not Judicial branch.
- Nick - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 5:04 pm:
Honestly, having elected sheriffs has never particularly seemed like a good idea anyway.
- Southern - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 5:09 pm:
Exactly, Mr. K. Until there are some consequences — some visible ones — this is going to deteriorate more and more into the Wild West.
The threat of a lawsuit years down the road isn’t going to register with many of the rogue folks, who think the danger is way overblown — and are now feeling emboldened by the backing of their local police or government.
I don’t think it’s just a handful of noisemakers. The open-it-now segment is spreading just as fast as the virus.
- @misterjayem - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 5:13 pm:
“a trust that every sheriff and sworn law enforcement officer holds dear.”
Good one.
– MrJM
- Blue Dog Dem - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 5:14 pm:
it took awhile, but I new someone would throw out the racism card. Whew.
- Not a Billionaire - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 5:17 pm:
You work for a non sovereign entity that can be eliminated by the Legislature and governor. Maybe they should . It would save on ptax. You don’t seem to want to do your job.
- Sideline Watcher - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 5:17 pm:
OMG…law enforcement officers complaining about enforcing the law. Unbelievable.
- Shytown - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 5:25 pm:
Not interested in doing their jobs, eh?
- In the End - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 5:29 pm:
=Also — I’m not sure I would consider the typical county Sheriff — Especially downstate — a competent public health official.=
The new leader in condescending commentary. THIS is why downstaters routinely flip you the bird. We have running water and everything . . . . .
Regale us with the Sheriff’s you know personally, or have worked closely with and their level of professionalism. Name names.
My downstate Sheriff is the epitome of professionalism.
- {Sigh} - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 5:29 pm:
{Sigh} typical response from the Sheriff’s Association. Are they still selling cookbooks to raise money for their association?
Since the association mentioned the men and women, does anyone have any diversity numbers for each local sheriff’s office?
Can the Association provide an update on the status of the Covid cases at the Pulaski County Detention Center?
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 5:30 pm:
=== My downstate Sheriff is the epitome of professionalism.===
Is your sheriff enforcing the governor’s order?
- Say What - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 5:34 pm:
=Not interested in doing their jobs, eh?=
Interesting that we didn’t see much of this type of commentary when entities were claiming “sanctuary” status for not enforcing laws that they disagreed with . . . . .
It is a poor tactic that always backfires. To those who thought it was a good idea previously . . . . . . .it just backfired.
- In the End - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 5:37 pm:
Of course he is enforcing the law.
I was calling out directly the thinly veiled notion that Downstaters are somehow less capable of intellectual prowess.
Unfettered prejudice stinks like dead fish however you serve it.
- yinn - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 5:40 pm:
==You work for a non sovereign entity that can be eliminated by the Legislature and governor.==
It’s a Constitutional office.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 5:41 pm:
If the confederate flag, “build the wall” folks are using this discussion of enforcement to show their racist ways are good…
… maybe it’s *not* the best plan of action?
But, if it’s about the sheriff being liable… welp… now we have a different discussion.
- In the End - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 5:42 pm:
Of course my Sheriff is enforcing the law. Is yours?
I was calling out the unbridled prejudice associated with the inference “especially downstate”.
Prejudice and looking down ones nose at large groups smells like dead fish no matter how it is served.
- Norseman - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 5:45 pm:
It’s outrageous that people elected to protect the residents of their counties prefer to play politics over that mission. How can I say their playing politics? Easy, their political statements that the governor is acting unconstitutionally.
- Former Merit Comp - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 5:50 pm:
As someone who served 31 years in the law enforcement field, I am ashamed of any officer who disregards an executive order where damage could be caused to those they serve by doing so. I see so many posts on FB by officers, ISP included, criticizing the governor and stating publicly they will not enforce the order. Back when I worked for the ISP that would have gotten you terminated or suspended. It should again
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 5:55 pm:
=== Is yours?===
I live in Kendall County. My sheriff is not.
I hear ya on the downstate bias you’re against
Best of luck with your sheriff. Glad enforcement will happen for you.
- Lt Guv - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 6:07 pm:
If they refuse to enforce, they should resign. Law enforcement is the essence of the job and if one can’t/won’t do it, they should stand down.
- the Patriot - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 6:16 pm:
== the Pulaski County Detention Center? ==
The problem in this facility most likely originated with an ICE detainee transferred from IDOC.
- Fighter of Foo - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 6:29 pm:
Tell me again how the polls matter? Wisconsin is open now. How long will JB keep this going? Is he in Florida as well?
- 47th Ward - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 6:36 pm:
===most likely originated with an ICE detainee===
That doesn’t matter to the virus, but thanks for mentioning it.
We now have legal relativism to go along with moral relativism. I guess it was only a matter of time before we decided for ourselves which laws are Constitutional and which ones aren’t.
A house divided against itself…something something.
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 6:44 pm:
“We now have legal relativism“
And utter hypocrisy of the law and order screamers defying law and order. After just seeing the Grundy County sheriff say he is openly defying the EO, I hope Pritzker plays hardball with these people. Also, if someone gets sick with COVID-19 and suffers harm because of defiance, some a** needs to be sued.
- Say What? - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 6:45 pm:
=If the confederate flag, “build the wall” folks are using this discussion of enforcement to show their racist ways are good…=
I am neither and openly despise both. Just suggesting that the selective enforcement tactic always comes back to haunt you from the other side as it is a inherently flawed mode of operation.
The pro-gun crowd trotted it out at the first opportunity after the left served up the idea room service style.
The right will have it slammed back across the net the next time the left doesn’t want to enforce something.
The tactic itself is fatally flawed and a bad idea.
- Pundent - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 7:00 pm:
= Tell me again how the polls matter? Wisconsin is open now.=
Support for the stay at home order In Wisconsin was polling at 70% prior to the supreme court’s ruling. Now you can debate the accuracy. But if that many people believe that the safest place to be is at home you’re not really restarting the economy.
- Give us Barabbas - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 7:02 pm:
= I hope the governor plays hardball with these people=
Well, yes, that feels right, to most of us. Rule breakers need consequences. But how to play that hardball is the issue because these jabro-knees are trying to get martyred for their perceived cause, they want to make a front page somewhere, being seen to be “oppressed”.
I’m all for liquor licenses and food serving licenses getting pulled on the violators asap. That’s going to get the problem people to think fast: wait two more weeks to open… or never re-open. I don’t know what leverage there is over the Sheriffs but generally a pocketbook issue gets the most and fastest attention. So maybe void their ability for asset forfeitures? Put them under professional review? Close the town donut shops? I don’t know, but it has to happen in the back office and not their front porch where the cameras are waiting. This is also the kind of territory where back-channel communications from the loyal legislature members to the sheriffs in their districts might be… instructive. Just saying.
- DQCardsFan - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 7:20 pm:
I wish the sheriffs, before they are elected, would update us on which laws they would and wouldn’t uphold if elected. Like “If you’re going 80 in a school zone, I’ll write you a citation. If you violate public safety regulations in the midst of a global pandemic and threaten the health and lives of others by your illegal behavior, not so much.”
- Glengarry - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 7:25 pm:
Hypocrisy from the supposed law enforcers. Imagine that. Each sheriff that refuses to enforce the EO should lose all state and federal funds.
- {Sigh} - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 7:37 pm:
= The problem in this facility most likely originated with an ICE detainee transferred from IDOC.=
Doesn’t matter where it originated. But if you want to argue that, then you just made the agreement for staying home. If people would stay home, wear mask if they have to go out, then we wouldn’t have outbreak. But let’s open churches, bars and restaurants to full capacity and see if an outbreak occurs as a result. {Sigh}
The Pulaski County Detention Center is under the jurisdiction of the Pulaski County Sheriff. So maybe the Association can tell us how the sheriff is addressing the situation. You have a sheriff in rural Illinois first hand dealing with Covid response and yet sheriffs do not want to enforce the EO.
From the Southern Illinoisan:
“The Pulaski County Detention Center has been the center of an outbreak in that county that has also resulted in positive cases of employees from other nearby counties. To date, Pulaski County has reported 30 total cases. According to Immigration and Customs Enforcement, 17 of those individuals are in ICE custody at the Pulaski County jail.”
- Michael Westen - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 7:42 pm:
“Also, if someone gets sick with COVID-19 and suffers harm because of defiance, some a** needs to be sued.”
Please. How are you going to prove someone caught COVID-19 because of “defiance?” 66% of new cases in New York were caught by people staying home. Time to grow up, I’d say.
- The Magnificent Purple Walnut - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 7:46 pm:
The statement from the I.S.A.stated that “the Governor again threatened that local law enforcement will face consequences for their statements about how they view the enforcability of his executive orders” IMHO, the sheriffs have the right to have and voice their opinion. They work for the County, not the State. The I.S.A. also mentioned in the statement that they were not asked for any input. Perhaps the Governor should try communicating with this group before threatening to withhold federal funds that are suppose to go the local government. On another note, I have lived half my life in Cook County and half “Downstate”. There are good people all over this State. The name calling I have seen on this site is sad to see.
- Soxfan - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 7:56 pm:
==66% of new cases in New York were caught by people staying home.==
I’m sure those people that stayed home went to the grocery store or had visitors who didn’t wear masks. This is why it’s likely we’re in for a “lost summer,” which will lead into the second wave.
Many people, not a majority but a solid minority, just didn’t take covid seriously enough. It all starts at the top.
- Austinman - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 7:57 pm:
A law enforcement who picks and chooses which law to enforce needs to be removed from their AND forfieture of their pension. Im sure others that need a job will enforce our laws and what our Governor says. For collar counties to say they shouldnt be included with Cook…. hmmm i bet they associate with Cook when they promote their Counties. Like the virus cant transmit from a guy in McHenry county hanging out in Cook cant carry it back into McHenry… i pray we get back to a state and country where we care about our fellow man…
- Grandson of Man - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 8:00 pm:
“How are you going to prove someone caught COVID-19 because of “defiance?”
Detective work. If a virus can be traced to a particular location, based on people’s whereabouts, a case can be made. The virus can be traced to particular places, congregate settings like churches and nursing homes. An alleged “super spreader” in Chicago got people sick and dead at a funeral and birthday party.
- Union Thug Gramma - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 8:51 pm:
It’s very sad to see how many people in my native born state can’t be adults and use some patience so the don’t DIE…and if these covidiots were the only ones effected? OK, cool, time to clean out the gene pool, but it doesn’t work that way. Yes, the majority of deaths/affected are seniors, BUT, there is a strange uptick in strokes and heart attacks in the 30-50 yo range…there are children that are having heart attacks, which can be traced backed to this virus…so, you want to open up the state? Who in your family are you willing to sacrifice? STAY THE F HOME. Rather be dead broke than DEAD.
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 8:52 pm:
===Detective work. If a virus can be traced to a particular location, based on people’s whereabouts, a case can be made. ===
What Grandson of Man is describing is literally a science. Contact tracing is also something that should theoretically be happening just about any time now — so expert information without even having to pay for it, but even if it doesn’t occur there’s going to be an epidemiologist out there that would be happy to lend their expertise to the case.
- ArchPundit - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 9:09 pm:
Enforcing the law is retaliation. Interesting.
- ArchPundit - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 9:14 pm:
===What Grandson of Man is describing is literally a science. Contact tracing is also something that should theoretically be happening just about any time now
It’s also a well known process that has both been occurring and has been used on a number of other communicable diseases.
- Southern - Thursday, May 14, 20 @ 9:38 pm:
==How are you going to prove someone caught COVID-19 because of “defiance?”==
You don’t have to prove definitively where you caught it. The burden of proof in a civil suit is “more likely than not,” as opposed to the burden of proof in a criminal case, “beyond a reasonable doubt.”
If someone gets sick after visiting a certain business, and a dozen other people also got sick after visiting there, and the business was negligent in some way (like defying the executive order), that’s a tough case to defend.
And what if a person gets sick after visiting two or three places where there were outbreaks or clusters? No problem — sue them all, then let the defendants fight over the percentage each one should have to pay. Look up “joint and several liability.”
A good lawyer could even make an argument that a local government or local sheriff who flouts the executive order deserves a share of the liability.
- LibertyFirst - Friday, May 15, 20 @ 3:50 am:
When the government boot is firmly affixed to the back of your neck, you will wake up, but by then it will be too late.
- Da Big Bad Wolf - Friday, May 15, 20 @ 6:32 am:
=== Interesting that we didn’t see much of this type of commentary when entities were claiming “sanctuary” status for not enforcing laws that they disagreed with ===
What do you mean “not enforcing the law?” The Trust Act IS the law. Voted on in the legislature and signed by a Republican governor. The federal government isn’t prevented from enforcing THEIR laws.
- Fixer - Friday, May 15, 20 @ 7:14 am:
Liberty, go back to bed.
- Mongo - Friday, May 15, 20 @ 7:59 am:
Liberty, that is a ridiculous post. Are you suggesting that orders intended to keep me and you and your family and my family safe are oppressive?
- efudd - Friday, May 15, 20 @ 8:04 am:
LibertyFirst-
I was in Rural King couple of Saturdays ago. There was an employee, wearing a mask, assisting a customer, wearing a mask, purchase a firearm.
How is that “government boot on the back of your neck”?
Nitwit.
- Excitable Boy - Friday, May 15, 20 @ 8:19 am:
- the government boot is firmly affixed to the back of your neck -
Yeah, I remember reading about how the Nazis started by asking the Jews to wear masks for their safety and not allowing dine in at Applebee’s.
The victimhood complex in you snowflakes is breathtaking.
- Jocko - Friday, May 15, 20 @ 9:05 am:
==When the government boot is firmly affixed to the back of your neck==
Um. Pritzker’s order doesn’t read ‘Stay at home…or else’. I’m also trying to figure out how wearing breathable cloth in retail stores qualifies as tyranny.
- JustAnotherDownstater - Friday, May 15, 20 @ 9:43 am:
=Also — I’m not sure I would consider the typical county Sheriff — Especially downstate — a competent public health official.=
Wow, just wow. Believe it or not, there are actually many competent, even educated, people south of Chicago…Mind blowing, I know.
- K3 - Friday, May 15, 20 @ 9:59 am:
It’s rare that the first comment is the best, but it definitely is on this thread.
- low level - Friday, May 15, 20 @ 12:57 pm:
Snowflakes.