Quincy Reporter

Quincy conservative activist Mecki Kosin takes no satisfaction in being able to say she was right in predicting what Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s iron-fisted handling of COVID-19 would mean.

“We had a group here in Quincy that came up with a plan for reopening in early April that we tried to present to the governor and he totally ignored us,” Kosin told the Quincy Reporter. “I said then that his actions would mean death to all kinds of small businesses. I run a travel agency and as soon as the (Paycheck Protection Program) money ran out, I had to furlough all my workers. We haven’t had any income since the month of March.”

With the state now having finally moved into Phase 4 of the governor’s five-part Restore Illinois plan, Kosin said she feels it may be a case of too little, too late for many small business owners.

“Everything just grinded to a halt when the governor enacted his stay-at-home order,” she said. “Since then, we haven’t been able to pay any bills and all our employees have been in the same place. It’s a vicious cycle that the governor clearly overstepped his bounds to make sure we’ve all had to suffer through.”  

Under Phase 4 guidelines, more businesses can open with fewer restrictions. Gatherings of up to 50 people and restricted indoor dining at restaurants are now also permitted. In addition, movie theaters, performing arts center, zoos and museums can reopen on a limited basis.

“I hope our industry can recover,” Kosin added. “I’m a small business owner and I know business was good before all this happened. I’m holding on by the skin of my teeth to survive and I think a lot of otters are also, but I worry because I think all the fear-mongering coming from people like the governor to justify his actions is causing people to lose hope.”