Metro East Sun

Republican state House candidate Amy Elik believes Gov. J.B. Pritzker has only created more victims with his handling of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“The governor's restrictions have given no weight to the toll this pandemic has taken on small business owners who have been forced to close or dramatically change their businesses,” Elik, now running against incumbent state Rep. Monica Bristow (D-Alton) in the 111th District, told the Metro East Sun. “He even admitted during one of his press briefings that no one expected the unemployment numbers.”

Given what he sees as the governor’s heavy-handed nature, Elik said she isn’t surprised by the findings in a recent WalletHub.com survey that concludes Pritzker has done more to “restrict everyday life” than any other governor in the country.

Researchers note that despite having roughly only half of the cases of New York City, Illinois ranks 10 spots ahead of its counterpart when it comes to number of restrictions mandated. Now, more than two months into the statewide stay-at-home order he enacted, the survey comes as resistance is growing to the policies the governor instituted without taking any suggestions from the state legislature into consideration.

“Phase 3 still includes significant restrictions on the state's businesses, such as restaurants, daycares, and gyms,” Elik added of the state recently moving up another notch in the five-phase Restore Illinois plan. “Many businesses must still determine whether it is worth it to reopen during this phase, which further extends the losses they are incurring.”

With the study using such metrics as mask requirements, travel restrictions, gathering restrictions, school and restaurant closures, and the ability for "non-essential" businesses and child care to open, Illinois ranked near the bottom in most categories. Neighboring states Wisconsin, Missouri, Iowa and Indiana all ranked in the Top 16 for fewest restrictions.

“The states that neighbor Illinois will continue to be inundated with Illinois residents crossing the border to shop and dine as they lessen their own restrictions,” Elik added. “With District 111 being a border district of the metro St Louis area, I see residents who are ready to regain some normalcy crossing the border for goods and services, which hurts our local businesses here.”