McHenry Times

State Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) believes Gov. J.B. Pritzker is exceeding his authority for extending stay-at-home orders during the COVID-19 pandemic for more than 30 days.

Ugaste said the state is currently in the middle of a public health crisis that has been a difficult time for everyone.

"I’m not here to criticize the governor but to bring attention to the fact that the legislature needs to be part of the decision-making process," Ugaste said. "Any changes to orders need approval by both chambers. The legislature needs to have a voice in this."

Ugaste said to allow the governor to continue to run Illinois government by one person creates absurdity.

"We need to go back to Springfield as a legislature and vote on this," Ugaste said. "The stay-at-home order was extended to May 30 and in doing so, the governor is bucking the system of checks and balances. We have a system of checks and balances for a reason."

Ugaste said he is calling on Senate President Don Harmon (D-Oak Park) and House Speaker Mike Madigan (D-Chicago) to bring the legislature back to vote.

"We’re currently in session but session days are getting canceled," Ugaste said. "We need to be brought back to Springfield to vote on this. I'm also asking Gov. Pritzker to request we get called back for such a vote. If we’re all in this together then the governor cannot continue to act alone. We have duties to the people of the state."

Ugaste said ignoring this role is ignoring the people of Illinois.

"We must continue to function even in a time of crisis as a democracy," Ugaste said.