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Monday, Sep 21, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller

Gov. J.B. Pritzker walked off a press conference in Macomb Friday afternoon.

Pritzker went to Macomb to discuss the Census and began by addressing the shooting in a dorm hall on Western Illinois University’s campus Tuesday night. […]

A member of the crowd then asked if the governor would stop utility shutoffs.

“I think you know that from the very beginning, we’ve gotten most of the utilities in the state of Illinois to agree to a moratorium on shutoffs. It’s my intention to continue to lean on them to do the right thing. I must say though that many of them have stepped forward to do the right thing on their own. Some slightly more reluctant than others, but they’ve come to the table,” said Pritzker.

People in the crowd then began chanting, “No utility shutoffs,” and Pritzker was escorted away by staff.

I watched the video and it didn’t look like he was being escorted away.

More importantly, though, just how in the heck is the governor supposed to unilaterally prohibit utilities from shutting off customers? What in the world would give him that authority?

* The far left has made some highly questionable demands this year. Last March, they demanded that the governor unilaterally cancel the spring primary. They’ve also demanded that the governor cancel rent payments. And now it’s utility shut-offs.

Yes, the governor has unusual powers during the pandemic, granted by previous General Assemblies over the last century. But people need to stop demanding that he act even more like a dictator. And the news media should at least point out the legal problems with these outrageous demands.

20 Comments

- NIU Grad - Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 12:46 pm:
“People in the crowd then began chanting”

It really just sounded like the one guy who asked the question. This is just reckless reporting.

- Lester Holt’s Mustache - Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 12:46 pm:
==The far left has made some highly questionable demands this year.==

That’s being overly generous, most of these demands are flat out kookoo. These are the same folks that get outraged every time trump signs one of his goofy executive orders.

- The Ghost of Harry Caray - Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 12:49 pm:
==Careful what you wish for==

Wait until the Cubs v. White Sox subway series.

- Shytown - Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 12:49 pm:
Yes, screaming, chanting and intimidation usually gets you…nowhere. Beyond that the far left and far right usually have very little knowledge of process, policy and law and think you can flip a switch and make things happen - if you yell really loud that is.

- Chatham Resident - Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 12:52 pm:
“Eastern Bloc,” meet the “Bernie Bloc.”

- Simply Sayin' - Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 1:06 pm:
“…just how in the heck is the governor supposed to unilaterally prohibit utilities from shutting off customers?”. Maybe the same way he unilaterally prohibits landlords from evicting their tenants? There is little legal distinction between the two.

- Cheryl44 - Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 1:11 pm:
I don’t know anyone on the left or 5he right who would be against free utilities.

- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 1:12 pm:
===There is little legal distinction between the two.===

Wrong. He can order law enforcement to stand down. No such LE involvement with utility disconnections.

- Simply Sayin' - Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 1:21 pm:
It has the exact same legal consequence on the private parties. Forces each private party to perform a service with no pay.

- Sayitaintso - Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 1:27 pm:
Far Left and Far Right believe ‘Passion’ is the essential element which should smother reason and common sense. Practical economics (or practical anything) is a bothersome distraction to these jerks. Being ‘passionate’ absolves stupidity. “Passion is the eternal enemy of humility” (“The New Pope”).

- Quibbler - Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 1:27 pm:
Complaints about unilateralism or ill-defined legal obstacles are straw men. Pritzker is the governor, rich beyond imagination, and a member of a party that enjoys a super-majority in the state legislature. If there are legal or practical obstacles to him providing relief to desperate utility customers, he has every means at his disposal to work with the legislature to enact whatever changes are necessary. Anyone still inclined to object is simply opposed to providing utility relief, not to the fact that a handful of protesters didn’t present Pritzker with a full-fledged legal brief. I realize that the idea of people demanding that politicians execute popular and frankly necessary policies is anathema to some folks, but come on.

- Mr. Green Genes - Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 1:34 pm:
== It has the exact same legal consequence on the private parties. Forces each private party to perform a service with no pay.==
No it doesn’t force a landlord to provide something for no pay. The tenant is bound by the terms of the contract.(lease)
Eviction only gives the landlord access to his unit not his money. The landlord can sue the tenant in court for the money if he doesn’t get it.

- allknowingmasterofraccoodom - Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 1:44 pm:
Now why would the news media report on outrageous demands from the left? Compared to what lefty behavior they have NOT reported in recent months? Phhhffft.

- Rich Miller - Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 2:03 pm:
=== I realize that the idea of people demanding that politicians execute popular and frankly necessary policies===

They’re asking for a communist dictatorship.

- Archie Debunker - Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 2:07 pm:
Outrageous demands, like violating the 1st, 4th, and 14th amendment with impunity.

- Oswego Willy - Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 2:12 pm:
What is being asked is a reorganization of monetary and fiscal norms of business and society be economic means.

It’s outrageously overreaching and wrong.

- Archie Debunker - Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 3:21 pm:
The law clearly states that any “right” referring to constitutional rights, and “rights to compensation” are protected even during the 30 day time period.

(20 ILCS 3305/7) (from Ch. 127, par. 1057)
Sec. 7. Emergency Powers of the Governor. In the event of a disaster, as defined in Section 4, the Governor may, by proclamation declare that a disaster exists. Upon such proclamation, the Governor shall have and may exercise for a period not to exceed 30 days the following emergency powers; provided, however, that the lapse of the emergency powers shall not, as regards any act or acts occurring or committed within the 30-day period, deprive any person, firm, corporation, political subdivision, or body politic of any right or rights to compensation or reimbursement …

- ArchPundit - Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 4:28 pm:
This is the continuation of the Green Lantern Theory of Politics where any President or Governor can do what they want as long as they will it to happen.

Never mind that the sovereignty of the nation and state is vested in the legislative branches.

- Notorious RBG - Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 4:36 pm:
== The law clearly states that any “right” referring to constitutional rights, and “rights to compensation” are protected even during the 30 day time period.==

There’s no unconstitutional taking here.

A moratorium on utility shut offs does not mean the customer no longer owes the utility for the energy used. That balance continues to build. When a moratorium comes to an end, the customer will still owe the balance. If it cannot be paid or if a payment plan cannot be worked out, then the customer will be subject to disconnection. The customer must repay the utility to ever be reconnected in the future.

Also, take a look at your utility bill. There’s a line item for a rider that allows recovery of “uncollectibles”. Utilities are paid by all other customers in the event of a shut-off and an unpaid balance.

- Lamb - Monday, Sep 21, 20 @ 4:48 pm:
Well said, Rich.

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