McHenry Times

Veteran state Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) thinks he’s figured out why Gov. J.B. Pritzker is committed to doing everything he can to keep lawmakers as far away from Springfield as he can.

“He knows the subject of ethics reform would probably be a problem for his party with all the investigations and everything that are going on right now,” Ugaste told the Kane County Reporter. “It’s been months now, and we still can’t get him to talk about it.”

Pritzker’s actions, however, are only causing the clamor to grow louder.

The governor wants to enact a rule that would allows businesses to be fined up to $2,500 for failure to enforce regulations for face coverings and social distancing. As Republicans have made their opposition to the idea known, Pritzker has defended his actions by arguing the change will aid law enforcement, local boards of health, school districts, and the general public in enforcing the use of face coverings and social gathering restrictions.

Ugaste sees it as just another abuse of power.

“I don’t think it’s appropriate, and besides I believe it’s an area for the legislature,” Ugaste added.”We’re the body that reads laws, fines and punishment. If the governor wants to address this issue he should call us back into session and we can handle it at the same time we work on ethics reform.”

Back in May, Pritzker tried enacting similar legislation, but withdrew it before a planned Joint Commission on Administrative Rules hearing amid much criticism.

As was the case then, Ugaste worries what Pritzker wants unfairly targets small business owners.

“I worry a lot about the industry, they’ve already been hit hard enough by everything he’s done since the pandemic hit,” he said. “Some of the federal loans have helped, but that didn’t take care of all of it. It’s been a real struggle for them and now to be penalized for not enforcing something that’s not their job just seems cruel.”