The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) approved Governor JB Pritzker’s emergency rules to warn, then fine businesses that do not require employees or customers to wear face masks. According to State Representative Dan Caulkins (R-Decatur), “This is one of many issues impacting Illinois residents which must be addressed by the General Assembly, not by a state agency.”
“Governor Pritzker needs to work with the General Assembly and stop trying to enforce his agenda on the people of Illinois by executive orders and emergency rules,” said Rep. Caulkins “The legislature should return to session to address the Governor’s proposed emergency rules and numerous executive orders. The Governor continues to try to go it alone instead of working with us.”
The emergency rules approved today were filed on Friday, August 7th by Governor Pritzker and were similar to the emergency rules rejected by JCAR in May of this year. The emergency rules will make businesses require their employees and customers to wear a face mask when indoors. Otherwise, if a business does not comply, following subsequent warnings, the business could be subject to a fine of up to 2,500 and/or a Class A misdemeanor.
Rep. Caulkins added, “We expect first responders and teachers to be on the job – the legislature should be on the job too. I urge Governor Pritzker to call us back into session immediately to discuss the issues concerning COVID-19, Illinois’ fiscal crisis, and approve more strict ethics reforms. It’s critical that the Governor call us back to session so we can work together on the important issues facing our state.”