Chambana Sun

State Representative Mike Marron (R-Fithian) wants the legislature to discuss reopening plans and fix the unemployment system for residents yet to see relief two months into the pandemic.

Marron said during a press conference that he's been dealing with many calls from constituents regarding the state's unemployment office.

"For well over a month now I’ve been dealing with the unacceptable situation with the Illinois unemployment system," he said. "I've been helping constituents to get relief promised to them by the state."

Marron said many people are living paycheck to paycheck, causing them strife. He said those having to deal with the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) have encountered many problems.

"The people hurt the most were living paycheck to paycheck and each day they grow more and more frustrate with IDES," the Representative said. 

He also said small businesses are hurting during the economic downturn.

"I don’t know of any small business — no matter how successful — can go through two entire months without any revenue," he said. "Yet, they followed the governor’s rules because they believed they were doing the right thing. But, they still have not seen any relief."

Marron said this is absolutely unacceptable.

"We are two months into this and still most calls I get in a day involve the failure of IDES," he said. "IDES' failure is shocking and I’ve had enough of the governor not taking this issue seriously."

The legislator also said that Governor Pritzker has put many businesses in an unfortunate, desperate situation.

"Some of these businesses will never open up again," Marron said. "The idea that he thinks we have to choose between saving lives and saving businesses is absurd."

He said getting the legislature together to discuss reopening plans would help find a safe way to help the economy and keep people safe.

"We’re the nation that put a man on the moon, I think we can figure out how to safely open businesses back up," Marron said. "It is unfortunate that businesses have been put in this situation."