A state representative from southern Illinois has won a reprieve from the statewide stay-at-home order recently extended to May 30. Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) was granted a temporary restraining order April 27, meaning Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order will not apply to him beginning May 1. Further legal action is anticipated from the governor’s office as early as today to fight the ruling.
Bailey filed suit April 23 after Pritzker announced he would extend the order that has shuttered many businesses and kept Illinoisans at home to help stop the spread of COVID-19. The state currently has more than 45,000 confirmed cases of the virus, and 1,983 people have died.
The restrictions in Illinois and across the country have resulted in severe economic hardship for many, which Bailey cited in his complaint. “I filed this lawsuit on behalf of myself and my constituents who are ready to go back to work and resume a normal life,” the lawmaker said.
The ruling by Clay County Circuit Court Judge Michael McHaney only applies to Bailey for now, but the representative’s attorney expects more Illinoisans to join the suit, The Center Square reported.
“I’d expect in the near future that this issue that was raised by Mr. Bailey successfully today is going to start cascading across the state,” Thomas DeVore said following the ruling.
Pritzker was asked about the judge’s decision during his daily COVID-19 briefing. “People are in danger as a result of this ruling, of the judge’s ruling of the suit that was brought by Darren Bailey,” the governor said, committing to act swiftly to have the ruling overturned.