Metro East Sun

Illinois state Sen. Jason Plummer (R-Vandalia) is doing all he can to make the strain of the coronavirus outbreak and all the restrictions that have accompanied it as easy to deal with as possible for his constituents.

“My team and I stand by ready to serve you during these trying times,” Plummer posted on Facebook. He indicated he was receiving a lot of emails, phone calls from constituents and small business owners regarding Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order.

That order was extended on April 1 by the governor and will remain in effect through April 30.

Part of Plummer’s mission involves steering residents in the right direction for answers and guidance as the virus and the toll it is taking continue to rise.

“We have been told to urge you to contact legal counsel to interpret it and how it may impact your job and/or business,” Plummer wrote. “Trust me, I am not happy at all with this general response. In order to provide the best service to the hardworking people of Illinois and our very important small business community, the Republican Senate Caucus has asked Gov. Pritzker's office to set up a toll-free hotline ASAP to make this process easier for everyone and more effective for our communities.”

In the meantime, Plummer is urging constituents to keep the overtures and questions coming.

“Please continue to message or call us if there is anything at all we can do to assist,” he added. “Please continue to work together and use common sense. Make smart decisions to keep you, your family, your friends, and your coworkers safe and healthy.”

Plummer recently attended a gathering of small business owners hosted by the Edwardsville/Glen Carbon Chamber of Commerce and Edison’s Entertainment Complex during which many small business owners discussed ways to serve their communities and each other.

“These are challenging times for many people, please use common sense, work together, and, if you can, reach into your pocket to help those who are being most impacted by this terrible tragedy,” he added in a separate post to Facebook.  “So many great stories are coming out of these troubling times--let's keep it up.”

Finally, Plummer is urging constituents to take advantage of free online educational resources now be offered, reasoning “they can be helpful this week for those of you trying to keep your students learning at home during these crazy times.”