West Central Reporter

Gov. J.B. Pritzker's recent introduction of a bridge phase between the current phases 4 and 5 has met pushback from those who feel he is failing to live up to reopening promises.

State Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Quincy) spoke out in her weekly news update published on her website, criticizing the Democratic governor for appearing to change the measures for reopening. She also seemed to question the effectiveness of steps Pritzker's administration has taken, with a significantly higher death rate than even Florida.

"Despite some of the strictest COVID-19 mitigations in the country, the state's death toll remains higher than most other large states," Tracy said in her update.

The Republican lawmaker also said that the small measures has taken related to reopening are from pressure to take some kind of action.

"After weeks of pressure from people across Illinois, including members of the business community and employees wanting to get back to work, Gov. Pritzker on March 18 finally outlined a 'Bridge Phase' based on vaccination rates," she said.

To be eligible for the new phase, a county will need to have 70% of people over 65 having received at least one vaccine dose, have 20% or greater available ICU bed capacity and be without any increases in the mortality rate for 28 days, Tracy said.

These measures should be moving communities the Phase 5, not a new interim phase, she said.

"The governor appears to have altered his own Restore Illinois Plan, which clearly states that normal operations are based on 'Either a vaccine is developed to prevent additional spread of COVID-19, a treatment option is readily available that ensures health care capacity is no longer a concern, or there are no new cases over a sustained period,'" Tracy said in a release. "It appears those conditions are being met."