A Unified Front?

I’m starting to get a little concerned by the actions of the Governor. He appears to be running a little fast and loose with his emergency powers. J.B. Pritzker has taken some rather decisive and expensive decisions this week.

In two swift moves, the state has apparently bought a Springfield hospital, lock, stock and barrel….and cut a deal with Mt. Vernon’s Drury Inn.

The hospital was vacant and only a couple of blocks away from where Representative Tim Butler lives. He had no idea of the purchase when called by reporters Wednesday. Right now, Sangamon County has 35 COVID-19 cases, many of which are quarantined at home. The Representative also doesn’t have a clue how the hospital building will be used.

As for the Drury Inn, that move by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency totally caught the City Manager of Mt. Vernon by surprise. Mary Ellen Bechtel assumes it will serve as alternative housing for people affected by the pandemic. Jefferson County has identified three positive cases and one death.

I’m distressed at the lack of a team approach to Illinois’ COVID-19 crisis.  I’m guessing Pritzker is banking on the feds to ultimately pay for these moves.

If they don’t, I’m willing to bet the Governor will claim these expenses necessitate a “yes” vote on his plan to change the Illinois tax structure in the November election.

In any case,

I think the leash needs to be pulled a bit.