While spiking COVID-19 infection numbers are “moderate” in Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Monday that post-Thanksgiving numbers may still rise and excoriated public officials who skirt or ignore COVID-19 safety regulations. 

 

“This virus wants to get transmitted in a place where people take off their masks for an extended period of time, sit across from one another, eating and drinking. That's exactly an amplification point for transmission of the virus. I feel terrible for the law-abiding bar and restaurant owners while there are others out there trying to take advantage of the public and get them sick. I think that, I suppose, there'll be ultimate judgment on those people,” Pritzker said. 

Chicago Alderman Tom Tunney, former chair of the Illinois Restaurant Association, was identified as hosting indoor diners at his restaurant Monday, later stating his regrets. The governor said that restaurant and bar owners continuing to operate under mitigations have “chosen to provide opportunities for people to get sick.”

Pritzker also commented on the COVID-19 outbreak at LaSalle Veterans’ Home, acknowledging the local decisions that led to the outbreak. 

“I have fought so hard to make sure people understand the importance of wearing masks, the importance of reducing opportunities for transmission, the importance of local law enforcement following through on their mission to serve and protect by ensuring mitigations are followed. These actions might seem small to some, but applied collectively and consistently, they prevent tragedies like this. This is why I'm infuriated by those who oppose proven mitigations at every turn. But now profess belated concern,” he said. 

Allison F Richard

Legislative Consultant

Attorney at Law