Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has not yet responded to letter from Highland mayor

Highland Mayor Joe Michaelis hasn’t yet gotten a response to his letter to Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, but he’s okay with it.

“It may sit on his desk for a while,” Michaelis said. “He probably gets a laundry basket full of mail.”

Michaelis wrote a letter to Pritzker dated Sept. 4, and posted it on Facebook, citing his “grave concern” about the impact of the heightened restrictions on businesses in his community.

“Our citizens and business owners have been brave and resourceful in facing the challenges put before them during this unprecedented event,” he wrote. “But bravery and resourcefulness will only allow our businesses to survive for so long. I believe it is time to rethink how we as a state are addressing the coronavirus crisis.”

Pritzker has replied to the chambers of commerce that have pleaded with him to reconsider the additional restrictions on metro-east businesses. Leaders from the Troy/Maryville/St. Jacob/Marine and Highland chambers wrote to Pritzker, arguing the additional restrictions imposed Sept. 2 will impact restaurants as the cold weather arrive.

But Pritzker said the Illinois economy cannot fully recover until the positivity rate reduces.

“The virus is the major obstacle to a return to normalcy,” he wrote.

Michaelis’ letter was also posted on the city website. The mayor included in his letter a request for additional funds to be made available through the Business Interruption Grant program for small businesses impacted by the coronavirus.

That program is administered by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity, and its first phase issued $60 million in grants to 2,600 businesses.