Pritzker Is Abusing 'Emergency Rule Making': Rep. Wheeler

OSWEGO, IL — Assistant House Minority Leader Keith Wheeler (R-Oswego) issued a statement Sunday, May 17, following the new emergency rules filed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker that would make criminals of certain businesses. The emergency rule, which is already in effect, makes it a Class A misdemeanor to have certain businesses open.

Class A misdemeanors bring fines up to $2,500 and 364 days in jail.

"That means that a single mom doing nails in her own home to try to feed her children and keep a roof over their heads would be subject to a substantial penalty and jail time," Wheeler said in his statement. "That process includes fingerprinting and a conviction that remains on a person’s permanent record and the result could impact their licensure which in Illinois is their ability to earn a living. "

He said this is a vast government overreach during a time when business owners are doing everything they can to stay afloat.

"Filing these emergency rules to extend criminal penalties to businesses and individuals all over Illinois is an abuse of emergency rule making," he said.

Wheeler is co-chairman of the Joint Committee on Administrative Rules, the bipartisan legislative panel charged with approving or rejecting rules sought by the executive branch. JCAR is scheduled to meet in Springfield on Wednesday, May 20.

He is insisting that the governor’s new emergency rules be placed on the agenda for the Wednesday hearing. If not blocked by JCAR, the emergency rules would stay in effect for 150 days.

“The people of Illinois deserve to have their voices heard through their representatives in the General Assembly and the people should expect their government to have proper checks and balances," Wheeler said. "Legislators should have to vote on the governor’s plans for our state. He cannot keep unilaterally ruling the state like this. We should not punish those who are the backbone of our state’s economy for trying to survive."

Rep. Wheeler serves the 50th District, which includes portions of Aurora, Batavia, Geneva, Campton Hills, Elburn, Montgomery, Oswego, Plano, St. Charles, Sugar Grove and Yorkville.