Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) wants the Legislature to have more say over emergency declarations. | Contributed Photo
Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) wants the Legislature to have more say over emergency declarations. | Contributed Photo
Senate GOP Leader Dan McConchie (R-Lake Zurich) emphasized the magnitude of the legislative's body zero involvement with COVID-19 responses.
"The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated our families and businesses in Illinois," McConchie said in a March statement. "We must learn from this horrible situation and improve our governing process to allow for more seats at the decision-making table to reach better outcomes."
McConchie posted a graphic on Facebook that reported that since COVID 19 hit, Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued 76 executive orders — none of which involved lawmakers' input.
The governor has been "shutting down our economy and making massive public health decisions without the inclusion of the Legislature or the communities we represent," McConchie said.
To address this, he introduced legislation in February that would require the "General Assembly to approve any subsequent renewal of emergency powers after the initial 30-day state of emergency declaration." The Legislature would have five days to approve the extension.
Pritzker's "go-it-alone strategy is not representative of our democracy," McConchie said.
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