On Feb. 28, the Governor surpassed the century mark in COVID-19 related Executive Orders with his 101st order.
For two years, Gov. Pritzker has exercised emergency powers by issuing more than 100 Executive Orders to control nearly every aspect of the state’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Senator Plummer believes that it is long past time for the Governor to allow the Legislature to be a part of the decision-making process.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures, 47 states have attempted to rein in their Governor’s emergency powers since the pandemic began, including 12 states who have successfully enacted new laws. Senator Plummer has sponsored legislation for the past two years to require the Governor to go the General Assembly for permission to reissue a disaster declaration past 30 days.
Until then, Illinoisans appear to be stuck “celebrating” the 100 Executive Order milestone that no one asked for or wanted.