Metro East Sun

Former Republican state House candidate Mike Babcock wonders why things are different in the age of COVID-19 from the way they’ve always been.

“There have been viruses in the past in this country and we’ve always pulled together to do what needs to be done to get past it,” Babcock told the Metro East Sun. “We all know we’re fighting an invisible enemy, but people still need to be able to take care of their families and pay their bills.”

Babcock fumes that Gov. J.B. Pritzker now moving to reenact COVID restrictions where infection rates have ticked up only sets the stage for more suffering. All across the state, small business owners still reeling from the impact of the first shutdown are raising their voices in mass protest.

“It’s egregious because he has all the money in the world while making decisions about which small businesses have a chance of surviving,” Babcock added. “These owners are already doing all they can to make things work, and he keeps presenting more obstacles for them.”

With the stakes being as high as they are, Babcock said he’s not surprised to see more small business owners now taking matters in their own hands by putting up more resistance this time around, including launching a Facebook page where  those planning to defy the governor’s orders can openly convene.

“These people can’t afford to have their livelihoods just thrown aside,” Babcock said. “In many cases, they’ve invested their life savings in their businesses and to be forced to just give up on them is totally wrong. Gov. Pritzker needs to get out of their lives and stop his illegal actions so they can at least have a chance.”