Illinois State Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) | File Photo
Illinois State Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) | File Photo
Illinois State Rep. Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) fears what Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s (D) handling of the COVID-19 crisis could ultimately mean for the state.
“I think everyone would agree some of the damage could have been avoided if the governor would have worked with the legislature, and had more ideas to consider instead of just ruling as a one-man show,” Ugaste told The McHenry Times. “This has been one branch of government going it alone instead of everyone working together. It’s a complete shame and tragedy for all those whose businesses are now on the line.”
A new TrackTheRecovery.org analysis finds since the start of the new year, Illinois has lost more than a third of all its small businesses. Overall, data compiled by Harvard and Brown universities and the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation shows as of Nov. 16, the number of small businesses that had remained open dipped by some 35.4%, This is in comparison to January of this year, with the industry also experiencing a revenue decline, topping 39% since January.
One in three small businesses have closed in the state of Illinois
| Stock Photo
“The ripple effects of this are off the charts,” Ugaste said. “It’s one of the worse things that could happen to the state and I fear going forward will cause great problems for the state economically and in terms of providing services.”
National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) Illinois State Director, Mark Grant, points out that running a small business in Illinois was already quite the challenge even before the pandemic hit, given such factors as higher property taxes and workers’ compensation.
Meanwhile, Ugaste said he sometimes wonders if the governor understands the full effect of some of his actions.
“COVID is the agent of blame here, but, without question, our response has also been a part of the problem,” Ugaste said. “In the end, the governor has a very different life from most of us and you have to wonder if he can fully appreciate what others are going through to hold on during these times.”
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