Chambana Sun

State Rep. Dan Caulkins (R-Chambana) has essentially reduced what he sees as all of Springfield’s lunacy to a bumper sticker.

“Democrats have become cowards that are unafraid when it comes to pushing their agenda,” Caulkins told the Chambana Sun. “I think Gov. (J.B.) Pritzker is the leader of the pack.”

Caulkins at least partly blames his assessment on the governor now trying to institute a rule that paves the way for businesses to be fined up to $2,500 for failure to enforce regulations for face coverings and social distancing. Pritzker is defending the proposal as a tool that will aid law enforcement, local boards of health, school districts and the general public in enforcing the use of face coverings and social gathering restrictions.

Caulkins isn’t buying it.

“I think it’s totally ridiculous,” he said. “If he wants to start punishing businesses for people’s bad behavior he needs to call us back to Springfield, propose a law and do it the right way.”

Back in May, Pritzker tried enacting similar legislation, but withdrew it before a planned Joint Commission on Administrative Rules hearing amid much criticism.

“It’s not practical, but if your whole agenda is to destroy the small business industry in Illinois I would say he’s right on track,” Caulkins added. “We have many very serious issues we’re dealing with in Illinois and the people that elected us to Springfield did so in hopes we would resolve all these issues. The governor trying to make laws he has no authority to does not help the situation.”

Caulkins said he think he’s come to understand why the governor is so resistance to having lawmakers back in session.

“It’s purely political,” he said. “Democrats are afraid to have us all together to hammer out issues that are impacting voters because they know it will come down to ethics reform and our terrible budget. They know all of that is a reflection on the bad job they’ve done.”