Macon Reporter

In this time of crisis, Illinois state Rep. Brad Halbrook (R-Shelbyville) feels compelled to remind Gov. J.B. Pritzker of his obligations.

“Gov. Pritzker's Trump-bashing, Chicago-centric press conferences aren't helping our families and don't take into account the vast differences between Chicago and our unique communities,” Halbrook recently said. "Thursday marked Pritzker’s 40th daily televised update, and the 29th in a row from his office in downtown Chicago."

That all translates to mean Halbrook is committed to fighting to make sure Downstate residents aren’t shortchanged as the impact of the COVID-19 outbreak continues to be felt. Part of the plan includes calling on the governor to see things plainly, and not just through the lens of the state's largest city.

In a letter Halbrook signed off on earlier this month, he implored the governor to consider opening up the economies of parts of the state hit less hard by the virus as Cook County. When he moved to enact the stay-at-home order late last month that forced countless businesses not deemed essential by the government to shut their doors, the governor did so on a statewide basis, much to the chagrin of Halbrook and other Downstate lawmakers.

"Every day we are learning more about the virus and we are seeing trends in certain parts of the country where the disease seems to be the most prevalent,” the letter read. “What is needed is a plan for how to bring our economy back. The vast majority of the cases in Illinois appear to be in the Chicago region. The less densely populated areas are simply not as affected as the more densely populated regions of our state."