SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A Clay County Circuit Court judge has issued a temporary restraining order against the stay-at-home restrictions that are set through May due to COVID-19.
According to a state news release, Republican State Rep. Darren Bailey last week filed a lawsuit, asserting that Gov. J.B. Pritzker has overstepped the authority granted to him by the Illinois Emergency Management Act.
Clay County Circuit Court Judge Michael McHaney ruled in favor of Bailey’s request for a temporary injunction against any further stay-at-home orders.
During his daily briefing on Monday, Pritzker said that Illinoisans are in danger as a result of the ruling.
“It’s insulting, it’s dangerous, and people’s safety and health has now been put at risk. There may be people who contract coronavirus as a result of what Representative Darren Bailey has done now,” Pritzker said.
The Governor said the Illinois Attorney General’s office was already working on an appeal.
If the ruling were not to be overturned, the freedom from the stay-at-home order would only apply to the plaintiff.
In the meantime, Pritzker urged local leaders and the public to continue to follow the guidelines of the stay at home order into May
