McHenry Times

Illinois state Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) is demanding a review of the state’s Disaster Proclamation in light of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s recent plan to extend the stay-at-home order through the end of May to fight the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The governor’s order and authority to extend orders such as this come based on the proclamation that grants him emergency powers, but those powers are only for 30 days,” Ugaste told the Kane County Reporter. “For the governor to continue to make such orders, I think he needs the approval of the legislature. I have called on leaders to bring us back to Springfield to have a vote on it.”

While Ugaste stressed that his actions are not necessarily a criticism of the governor’s decision, he did argue that the way Pritzker has chosen to do things is undermining the way the process is intended to work.

“The General Assembly is a separate and equal branch of the government, which has been completely marginalized by the governor’s decision to issue continuous Disaster Proclamations beyond the original 30 days,” Ugaste said. “We have been forwarding the governor suggestions of what we would like to see in any new declaration. This is a very big state and I don’t think a one-size-fits-all approach to handling things is in the best interest.”

In the end, Ugaste says the governor must act with caution and care by considering everyone when putting his policies in place.

“My biggest concern is for the people of state,” Ugaste said. “The governor needs to consider all the impact his actions stand to have on people.”