Chambana Sun

Although COVID-19 protests over the weekend drew national attention to Illinois, activists say they see no progress under modified stay-at-home orders that allow partial reopening of the state economy.

Approximately 1,000 protesters rallied at the State Capitol Saturday, May 16, to voice opposition to Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order.

It was the fourth protest within the past 30 days, according to media reports.

“The easing of restrictions hasn’t helped small businesses,” said Scott Tarpley, a former spokesperson for the Champaign County Board. “Whether you are stopping a virus or not, you are destroying lives, livelihood, businesses and taking hope away from average people.”

Gov. J.B. Pritzker eased statewide restrictions on the same day protesters took to the streets in Springfield and Chicago, allowing residents to leave home for health, supplies and services, certain types of work and care-giving under a statewide reopening plan.

“In Phase 3 and Phase 4, there are opportunities for people to get together in an increasing amount,” said Gov. Pritzker during a virtual press conference on May 15, 2020.

He attributed the phased strategy to how easily the coronavirus infections can occur.

As of May 18, there are 94,191 positive coronavirus cases statewide with 4,177 deaths, while in Champaign there are 401 positive cases with 7 deaths, according to the Illinois Department of Health.

“When you get a group of people jammed together in a space, there is potential for spread and we're trying to avoid that,” Gov. Pritzker said. 

Currently, the state is in Phase 2 of Restore Illinois, which allows for some outdoor activities like fishing.

Each phase is 28 days.

“There is increasing unrest,” Tarpley told the Chambana Sun. “Some is based on wanting freedom and for other people it’s about running out of money. You get desperate when you see no hope. That’s why suicides are rising.”

Some 45 percent of adults nationwide say worry and stress about the coronavirus is causing a disruption in their mental health patterns, according to a Kaiser Family Foundation study.

“The data to me seems to be more clear that most counties don’t need this lockdown,” Tarpley said in an interview. “The public is already starting to ignore these orders. Gas station data shows that people are active again. Americans are not going to do this forever.”

However, Gov. Pritzker said people who do not follow the phased reopening strategy could face consequences.

“The laws of the state need to be followed,” he said. “The executive orders of the state need to be followed. We will pursue enforcement actions wherever necessary where people are flaunting health and safety and ignoring the rules that will keep people safe in their communities.”

Under Phase 3, dubbed "Recovery" according to Restore Illinois, employees of non-essential businesses are allowed to return to work depending upon risk level, telework is strongly encouraged wherever possible, employers are encouraged to provide accommodations for COVID-19-vulnerable employees, health and fitness clubs can provide outdoor classes and one-on-one personal training, bars and restaurants can open for delivery, pickup and drive-thru only while retail stores can open with limited capacity and approved safety guidance, including face coverings.

“If you're looking for the opportunity to get together to do things you've done in the past like go into a retail store, we're 14 days away from you being able to do that,” Gov Pritzker said. “We've done so well up to now. I hope you'll continue on the same course."