Madison County to vote on reopening in defiance of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker
Madison County Board of Health members will decide whether the county will reopen and end its state-ordered stay-at-home order this evening at a special meeting of the board.
If approved, the county would defy the state and Governor J.B. Pritzker and move forward with its own “phased” reopening plan. The board is expected to vote on the resolution at its meeting, scheduled for 5 p.m. Tuesday. The meeting can be viewed at Twitch.tv/madisoncountyil.
The phases are spelled out in a revised resolution, which County Board Chairman Kurt Prenzler provided to the Belleville News-Democrat.
Phase 1, which would begin Wednesday, allows nonessential travel to resume while advising against social gatherings of 10 or more people. Retail businesses may open with 25% occupancy and restaurants may have seated dining at a rate of 25% occupancy.
Personal care provides, such as hair, nail and massage providers, may reopen but only provide service by appointment. Childcare facilities can reopen but heavy sanitation rules have been put into place.
Gyms and indoor recreation spaces also may reopen at 25% occupancy and public parks, golf courses, campgrounds, athletic fields, swimming pools and recreational spaces may open with limitations.
Churches, according to the plan, can resume worship services, but may only allow 50% occupancy.
Phase 2, which is estimated to begin May 28 and last until June 12 if guidelines are followed, will raise social gatherings to 50 or more people, allow retail businesses, restaurants and churches to open further and allow increased occupancy.
Phase 3 is estimated to begin June 13 and last until June 27 if guidelines are followed and will open up churches entirely, raise occupancy at restaurants, bars and retailers to 75 percent and raise social gathering limitations to 150 people.
The final phase is estimated to begin June 27 and amounts to the total reopening of the county.
Democrats say plan is ‘dangerous’
County Democrats came out against the plan Tuesday afternoon in a press release, calling it dangerous and risky for small businesses.
“We all understand that there must be a plan in place to help reopen Madison County, and to help save small businesses, retailers and manufacturers, but this plan would ultimately endanger those same small businesses across our county,” said Madison County Democratic Party Chair Randy Harris. “Item 7 in the Resolution clearly shows Prenzler knows that small businesses may not be insured, may put their business licenses in a risky position, and he’s trying to avoid any legal liability for the county, while still encouraging businesses to open. This is politics, plain and simple.”
Item 7 in the solution states “The adoption of this resolution makes no comment or opinion on the insurability or licensure of any individual or business for operating in a manner inconsistent with any executive order or state statute.”
Delayed vote
During a special meeting Friday of the Madison County Health Board, members voted to delay an initial proposal. State’s Attorney Tom Gibbons had asked for the delayed vote.
The first meeting was Thursday. During that meeting, Bond County attorney Tom DeVore argued that the current stay-at-home order was beyond the governor’s power.
Prenzler presented the plan to the Health Board, which is made up of county board members. Many County Board members lauded it, while some called for more time to review it.
Prenzler, a Republican, acknowledged that the plan was presented last-minute and that some might need more time.
During that meeting, county Health Department Director Toni Corona said the department could handle the “intended or unintended consequences” of beginning to reopen the county, but said there is a risk the health service could be overwhelmed.
“The increased work that the resolution potentially implies on the health department’s part, is ‘bring it on,’” she said. “But I’m going to tell you, hear me loud, we’re maxed. We’re holding on by our fingernails right this second and there will be a lot of consequences intended and unintended as we continue on in this response.”
The resolution refers to the county as a constitutional republic seeking to balance the goals of public health, constitutional rights, improving the local economy and helping businesses and churches reopen in a safe and responsible way.
This story was originally published May 12, 2020 at 1:03 PM with the headline "Madison County to vote on reopening in defiance of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker."