Illinois State Senate District 37 issued the following announcement on April 24.
Statement from Senator Weaver:
"On a daily basis we are addressing the issues we are seeing on Facebook and other social media. Here is some background and four of the many different paths we are pursuing.
The Emergency Management Agency Act was enacted over 30 years ago and has rarely been modified. At that time the legislators did not envision that there would be an ongoing situation like the current pandemic. They did not clarify if the Governor could exercise these extraordinary powers so today the prevailing question is, “Does the Governor have the power to do repeating 30 day emergency declarations?” To challenge and clarify this issue, there has been a lawsuit filed. By the time this question works its way through the legal system it would most likely be moot for the life of the most recent executive order but it could begin to clarify what happens 30 days from now.
My colleague Senator McConchie has also filed Senate Bill 3987 which you can find by going to ilga.gov. That bill will require the Governor to come to the General Assembly before extending an emergency declaration past 30 days.
On a third parallel path, our caucus has tried to work with the Governor to modify these restrictions and to tailor the response to each area of the state on a county by county basis. We are pleased that some of the restrictions have been loosened, but feel they have not gone far enough. Our constant down-state push is that the governor does not use a “one size fits all strategy” which occurs too often in Illinois.
Finally, we will continue to advocate on behalf of every business in our district, to open and restore operations in a safe and timely manner. My staff and I are constantly on the phone helping where we can to clarify the multiple executive orders and allow reason to prevail. We have spoken with hundreds of you, and hear unprecedented pain. We will continue to press where we can press, and we will continue to be available to each and every one of you to help you find the resources needed in order to maintain financial stability for your family. Please continue to reach out to our office so we can assist you with your specific needs. The best way to reply to your issue quickly is to reach out to us via email chuck@senweaver.com.
We thank our constituents, our friends, our families for the many sacrifices you continue to make on a daily basis. We WILL get through this – together."
~ Chuck
Original source can be found here.
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