*** UPDATED x1 *** #Winning
Wednesday, Sep 9, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Madison County Times-Tribune…
Attorney Thomas DeVore, who has gained fame during the COVID-19 shutdowns for directly questioning and winning suits against Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s Executive Orders and shutdowns of restaurants, bars, and small businesses gave a presentation at Bella Vista Winery in Maryville on Wednesday afternoon about what the new mitigation measures mean to restaurants and bars and what they can do about it.
He’s winning suits? And since when is the state shutting down local bars and restaurants?
* Let’s continue…
The basis for [DeVore’s] advice to the restaurant and bar owners came from the Department of Public Health Act (20 ILCS 2305/2(c)) which states “no place may be ordered to be closed and made off limits to the public except with the consent of the person or owner of the place or upon the prior order of a court of competent jurisdiction…In the event of an immediate order issued without prior consent or court order, the Department shall, as soon as practical, within 48 hours after issuing the order, obtain the consent of the person or owner or file a petition requesting a court order authorizing the isolation or quarantine or closure.”
That’s… not great advice. Those businesses could be hit with a misdemeanor charge and a possibly hefty fine for their defiance. It’s not about closing businesses, or pulling their licenses - something the governor has repeatedly said he doesn’t want to do.
* More…
DeVore informed business owners “I’m not advocating for social disobedience, I’m asking for business owners to stand up.” The crowd erupted in applause when DeVore said “If enough of you stay open, this is over.
The majority of restaurant and bar owners in attendance, as well as dozens that had contacted DeVore before today’s educational presentation from across the area, said they plan on keeping their indoor dining open this time. DeVore said the owners are not looking to be defiant of anything, and have not come by their decisions to stay open lightly. Many of the owners stated that if they shut down inside dining, they will never reopen. One owner of an establishment outside of Madison County said that last week he did a poll on Facebook asking his customers if he should stay open. Of the 300 responses he received, 297 said to stay open and he is going to do so.
DeVore encouraged each owner to speak with their own legal counsel about their decision since each business has its own unique needs.
As a reminder, the region has a 9.9 percent positivity rate.
* From DeVore’s Facebook page…
Sheesh.
* He also showed off his new tattoos…
…Adding… We went to the Sangamo Club for dinner last night (outside, of course) and I think the sign on its front door puts the whole mask issue into proper context…
Also, if establishments are listening to lawyers like DeVore instead of public health officials when it comes to things like masks, you gotta wonder what they’re doing in the kitchen. If I live to be 100, I will never again go to restaurants that flout these simple, basic public health rules. And I may compile a list before veto session.
*** UPDATE *** Illinois Supreme Court today…
IT IS ORDERED that the motion for clarification is allowed. This court’s order of August 5, 2020, transferring cases from Edgar, Bond, Clinton, and Richland Counties to Sangamon County to be consolidated with Sangamon County No. 20 MR 589, is hereby corrected, nunc pro tunc, to specify that these cases and the cases that were transferred to and consolidated in Sangamon County in case Nos. 126232 and 126261, shall be heard by the same judge, Judge Grischow, who was assigned to preside over Riley Craig et al. v. Governor Jay Robert Pritzker, etc., Sangamon County No. 20 MR 589, and Governor J.B. Pritzker, etc., et al. v. Board of Education of Hutsonville CUSD #1 et al., etc., Sangamon County No. 20 MR 557.
* Here’s an explainer from the attorney general’s office…
It is a procedural order. The Supreme Court’s earlier orders transferred the cases in other counties to Sangamon, but didn’t specify that they should all be heard by the same judge (Judge Grischow, who had previously been assigned to hear the Craig and Hutsonville cases). Because the earlier orders didn’t specifically say that the cases should go to Judge Grischow, DeVore thought he had the right to move for a substitution of judge. We filed our motions because we thought the court intended that all cases go to Judge Grischow, and the court agreed.
DeVore had moved for a substitution of the judge in the Bailey case, but waited to do so until after Judge Grischow ruled against him in the Hutsonville case. It wasn’t that long ago, you may recall, that DeVore was accusing the governor of judge-shopping.
- BlueDogDem - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 12:33 pm:
By the looks of my most recent trip to region 4, I too, think he’s winning.
- Give Me A Break - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 12:33 pm:
I’m at the point if someone uses the words, Liberty, Freedom or Patriot I really question if they understand the meaning of the words.
- LakeCo - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 12:35 pm:
“If enough of you stay open, this is over”
What’s over? Not the pandemic. And isn’t the pandemic the thing we *want* to be over so businesses can resume normal operations?
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 12:37 pm:
Wait till they get a listen to the Woodward tapes on the virus.
That’ll be… “fun”
- Shytown - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 12:38 pm:
As if we didn’t have enough narcissists in this business
- Highland IL - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 12:39 pm:
The owners of Bella Vista Winery in Maryville also own Hidden Lake Winery in Clinton County that was the center of some non-mask wearing controversy earlier this summer. They seem to have an ally in Devore.
- Rahm's Middle Finger - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 12:39 pm:
While he’s at the tattoo parlor, he should get Opportunism tattooed across his chest.
- OneMan - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 12:40 pm:
It’s like the thought process is from a different planet.
- Mr K - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 12:42 pm:
Today’s Woodward tapes are devastating — for the president.
But for a dude like this — and I know this growing up in Quincy — this kind of anger and rebellion is how everybody thinks. They presume it’s a mark of masculinity.
If you flip the bird to authority, play basketball, and fish bass — you’re ok.
If you don’t — there’s something wrong. A malfunction.
- Proud Sucker - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 12:42 pm:
Asking for a friend…
Is there an attorney version of ‘roid rage?
- the law - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 12:43 pm:
Illinois has many lawyers, representing all kinds of different interests and with different approaches. It’s what makes the profession inspiring and also a bit dangerous. The best ones use their legal skills to help their clients and give solid, sound advice. The worst ones use chaos and catastrophe to make money and a name for themselves. This guy represents the worst of the profession. God help the clients who buy his brand of snake oil.
- Dotnonymous - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 12:44 pm:
Liberty sounds pretty liberal.
- 47th Ward - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 12:44 pm:
I’m pretty sure Devore has the ILGOP nomination for governor in 2022 just about wrapped up.
- Rudy’s teeth - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 12:45 pm:
What a maroon.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 12:47 pm:
=== I’m pretty sure Devore…===
The Pritzker folks would be doing backflips with masks on, that would be the type of gift when you can’t run unopposed but need a patsy to highlight your highlights.
The thing if it is, does that make Bailey run for something else or can they both run in the primary and Bailey can be sidelined by April?
- DownSouth - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 12:48 pm:
And sadly, until the health departments, local law enforcement, and local leaders actually enforce the steps as outlined in the emergency order, not a thing will change.
I completely understand that small rural health departments are understaffed, under funded - but that excuse has grown old. Do. Your. Job.
When the local municipal law enforcement calls in and tells you - hey once again - Bar Let’s Spread COVID is packed with about 200 people, inside in clear defiance - could you handle them please. The appropriate answer is we’ll get right on that. Not, well there’s really not anything we can do. We just can’t be doing this and everything else too.
Until there is actual enforcement, the rules for Region 4 might as well not exist.
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 12:50 pm:
Pritzker should just pick a bar or restaurant that continues to disobey orders and charge them with a misdemeanor and pull license and then run it through courts and show he has the right and threaten to keep using it.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 12:52 pm:
=== I too, think he’s winning. ===
There are certainly a lot of Lemmings willing to toe the line, mostly out of consistency with the political narrative by the GOP to save their re-elections.
Sadly, our country is losing and lives have been lost and families destroyed.
- Nagidam - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 12:55 pm:
Mel Gibson would be proud of those tattoos.
- NIU Grad - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 12:57 pm:
With his ego being buttered up this year, one has to wonder what race he’s imagining himself running in locally or statewide…
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 1:00 pm:
=== with some type of tape B.S.===
No, the Russian talking point is “Fake News”
Do better, or get you bot talking points thru a better source.
See, here’s the thing;
The sheep?
The sheep are the foolish the President duped, as he purposely played down the virus as he tells, in his own words, how terribly dangerous Covid-19 is.
Being a Covidiot now must include those like DeVore who got so embarrassing duped, they grifted off a known false narrative.
So… - Elliott Ness - … (snicker-snicker)…, do we believe Trump that it’s a hoax… or Trump who (snicker-snicker) made false claims…
…
… and put millions in harms way… with over 190,000 passing away.
But please, let’s talk about the legal prowess of DeVore, or the grifting… I’ll let you choose.
- pool boy - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 1:02 pm:
I’m with you Rich. I would be very interested in your list of restaurants that flaunt mask wearing.
- thunderspirit - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 1:02 pm:
== Also, if establishments are listening to lawyers like DeVore instead of public health officials when it comes to things like masks, you gotta wonder what they’re doing in the kitchen. If I live to be 100, I will never again go to restaurants that flaunt these simple, basic public health rules. And I may compile a list before veto session. ==
My thoughts exactly. Such cavalier regard of public health is almost certainly not limited to masks/no masks.
It tells me much about how they view their patrons. And how they view their employees.
- BlueDogDem - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 1:03 pm:
In my neck of the woods, the Southern region, it appears Democratic leaning folks are compromising mitigation efforts about in equal numbers as those darn Trumpkins.
- Elliott Ness - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 1:08 pm:
Willy, the post was about DeVore, you took the turn as always to troll anti-Trump, so take your own advice and stick to the post and DO BETTER, Woodward is a washed up CNN-MSNBC hack trying to stay relevant….Sadly the number passing away is devastating but not Amy one person’s “fault”….your anti-Trump is so random….
- Annonin' - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 1:09 pm:
Generally give little or no attention to the whacks who get all inked up once beyond the age of the binge on the first off base weekend of basic training. This mutt looks older
- Captain Obvious - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 1:11 pm:
Making lists now are we? How Nixonian.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 1:12 pm:
=== Woodward is===
It’s Trump voice.
Yikes, man, you have serious “fact” issues when you ignore the man telling you… he duped you.
I feel sorry for you.
Sitting at the poker table looking for the sheep, and haven’t realized yet… it’s you.
As for DeVore, he’s telling the sheep he’s fleecing that the people beating him time after time in court … “they are the sheep”
As far as lawyers go, DeVore is a heck of a grifter.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 1:14 pm:
No, - Elliott Ness …
=== Sadly the number passing away is devastating but not Amy one person’s “fault”===
… the Russian talking point is…
“It is what it is”
‘Nember?
That was on tape too.
- Elijah Snow - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 1:21 pm:
I’d appreciate a list.
- TheInvisibleMan - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 1:30 pm:
The lack of action from local health departments has been one of the most regrettable things I’ve seen since this started.
Businesses are not so fragile that they need to be treated with kid gloves and given such large leeway. All that inaction will do is engender additional rule-bending/breaking by these businesses when it is convenient for them.
- Norseman - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 1:31 pm:
Captain Oblivious sees no difference between keeping a list of regulated facilities that are flaunting public health rules designed to prevent illness and death with a list of a politician’s personal enemies. I’m looking forward to that list, Rich.
- Huh? - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 1:33 pm:
Don’t need a list to know which restaurant or bars to avoid. It will be a very long time before I visit one of these places of business for in-person dining.
- Grandson of Man - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 1:37 pm:
Agree with Rich and others. No mask rule/enforcement in a pandemic and no business from me.
- kathryn - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 1:42 pm:
please give us a list of establishments not complying with mask requirements.thanks
- Zim - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 1:48 pm:
To those who would ignore the science, sorry, the virus doesn’t care about your feelings. If most of us would just heed science, wear masks and practice some common sense, this wouldn’t be “over”, but it could be mitigated to a much larger extent than it currently is. However, this being ‘murica, we’re choosing to ignore science and do things the hard and stupid way by wishfully thinking we’re somehow immune.
- Grimlock - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 1:49 pm:
2nd (or 99th by now) on the list idea, please and thank you.
- Pot calling kettle - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 1:50 pm:
==Woodward is a washed up CNN-MSNBC hack trying to stay relevant==
Then why, pray tell, does President Trump continue to talk to him on tape?
To the post…there are clearly a group of folks, with President Trump leading the charge (and DeVore following the script), who have decided to manipulate anyone who will give them attention and money. It’s not about helping folks through a crisis, it’s about taking advantage to further a personal agenda.
- @misterjayem - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 2:07 pm:
“Making lists now are we? How Nixonian.”
Yes, Richard M. Nixon invented the list.
– MrJM
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 2:09 pm:
Man “Boondock Saints 3: Clay County” is really going to suck.
- Independent - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 2:10 pm:
If DeVore were a real patriot he would have a killer eagle tattoo on his chest.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 2:11 pm:
Rich, please do compile the list. All the folks who travel to Springfield for session are gonna need some local knowledge. I fear that at least one of our regular haunts will make the list, but like you, I just won’t be patronizing any joint after it’s all over that doesn’t take this seriously
- zatoichi - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 2:19 pm:
So Trump is on tape on Feb 7 saying ‘This virus is deadly and is passed to others by breathing.’ If he had done a Churchill/Kennedy/Reagan statement of ‘we have a serious problem, here is our plan, and masks are needed’ would Devore still be the rebel?
- Leigh John-Ella - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 2:22 pm:
– winning suits –
It’s like he pitched one good inning and then got shelled the rest of the game.
- Dave Fako / Fako Research & Strategies - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 2:28 pm:
The BBQ pic is from a place in Ashville, NC, not IL. I know this workls well as beyond our consulting firm, I run a side BBQ business.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 2:28 pm:
=== It wasn’t that long ago, you may recall, that DeVore was accusing the governor of judge-shopping.===
It’s always fun watching Trumpkins do what they accuse others of doing … but they do it and it’s not only ok, but “freedom”.
And DeVore keeps cashing checks I’m guessing.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 2:45 pm:
Judging by the comments held in moderation, it looks like I hit a nerve with my off-handed comment about maybe compiling a list of the bad actors. lol
- Pundent - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 2:49 pm:
If flaunting health rules at your restaurant is what constitutes “liberty” and “freedom” these days then by all means let’s see a list of these patriots. I’d suggest we’d also include pictures of their kitchens but I’m not sure if any of us could stomach that.
- Dotnonymous - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 2:51 pm:
Lists are a great idea…if you ask me.
“No mask required” businesses have nothing coming…from me or mine…not one dime.
- Excitable Boy - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 2:54 pm:
Why wouldn’t these patriots welcome a list so they’d know where to eat?
- DownSouth - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 2:56 pm:
I say go for the list - Those of us who have to travel from downstate to Springfield would greatly appreciate it.
Alternately - create a list of those establishments that are doing all the right things and help drive business to them.
- very old soil - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 3:01 pm:
I already have a list 3 of the five restaurants in town including my favorite ==and one entire franchise
- White Dynamite - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 3:05 pm:
List- YES please
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 3:07 pm:
A good friend of mine in The Metro-East was going to go to King Louie’s in Woodriver until she heard not even their staff is wearing masks. She has permanently removed it from her list.
Another friend in Caseyville got COVID from his kids who got it from his ex-wife who got it from her roommate, a 50-something that loves to wine-and-fine and refuses to mask up.
If science deniers only removing themselves from the gene pool, I would not mind so much.
- Paddyrollingstone - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 3:16 pm:
I would think the No Mask Required businesses would be pleased to have some publicity. If that means they would lose my future business and others as well, so be it.
- Bruce( no not him) - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 3:23 pm:
I know good lawyers, I like good lawyers. But this guy is giving all lawyers a bad name.
- Flapdoodle - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 3:31 pm:
==comments held in moderation==
It’s all fun and games until there are actual consequences, right?
That list would be a public service.
- don the legend - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 3:32 pm:
Judge Grischow recently upheld Springfield’s mayoral Executive Order ruling against Devore and his restaurant client.
- Socially DIstant Watcher - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 3:59 pm:
==Judging by the comments held in moderation, it looks like I hit a nerve with my off-handed comment about maybe compiling a list of the bad actors. lol ==
Maybe this should be a new category of Golden Horseshoe. So us tourists know where it’s still safe to get horseshoes.
- Teddy Salad - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 4:25 pm:
Went to a favorite place in Chicago. Manager was behind in the kitchen with no mask. Made my list of ex-favorite places.
If they cannot follow sanitation rules with a virus that has killed 180K. Why do you think they are sanitary the rest of the time in the past and future.
Yea, I got a list.
- Darwin - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 4:28 pm:
If I were to become infected with Covid, this is the first and only place I would go for breakfast, lunch and diner. I would announce my condition and thank everyone for their open armed kindness and understanding.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 4:29 pm:
===If I live to be 100, I will never again go to restaurants that flout these simple, basic public health rules. And I may compile a list before veto session.===
Please make public that list.
If they want to flaunt the safety rules, they should embrace being on this list.
It’s tiresome, the Covidiot thinking, be it establishments, people, organizations.
DeVore sees them as a cottage industry.
- Pundent - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 4:50 pm:
=DeVore sees them as a cottage industry.=
No, he sees them as marks. Like his leader he’s conning them in broad daylight and laughing all the way to the bank. Modern day P.T. Barnum’s.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 4:52 pm:
=== he sees them as marks.===
It can be both, lol
- Jocko - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 5:58 pm:
==If enough of you stay open, this is over.==
This must be the premise of “Jaws: The Remake”. Residents flock to the beaches and the shark concedes due to their overwhelming numbers.
- JoanP - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 6:55 pm:
=Woodward is a washed up CNN-MSNBC hack trying to stay relevant=
That may be, but Trump has confirmed the story. https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/trump-reaction-woodward-interview-coronavirus/2020/09/09/fc21e67e-f2ca-11ea-b796-2dd09962649c_story.html
- Downstate - Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 10:11 pm:
Pritzker is not going to fine a restaurant or bar. Mayors in the Metro East are not going fine anyone. The Madison County, St Clair County or Jersey County (Grafton) Health Departments wont do it. Mark Kern or Kurt Prenzler won’t enforce any of the rules. The Sheriff of Madison County or St Clair or Jersey County won’t do it. And none of the States Attorneys will do it. So all of them have basically said “I’m sorry our schools are closed, and kids can’t play high school sports and your little league can’t play, so very sorry. But I’m still not going to enforce any of these rules. And if the virus continues, so be it.”
And that is the Metro East in a nutshell.
And none of these people, save for the Governor, have presented a plan other than - “I don’t know what to do about any of this.” And all the Democrat and Republican members of the General Assembly are good with no plan, no leadership and “let’s pin this on the Governor.” If you don’t like his plan, put one forward. I’ll wait…