Quincy Reporter

Veteran state Sen. Jil Tracy (R-Macomb) is hosting residents of her 47th District at a Coffee and Conversation gathering at Grandpa's in Havana, Monday, Nov. 29, 10 to 11 a.m.

"Stop in, grab a cup of coffee, and have a conversation about state government,” Tracy posted on Facebook. “This governmental event is free and open to the public. Look forward to talking with you.”

The West Central Reporter reported Tracy has made no secret of her opposition to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s universal mask mandate.

"A great deal of constituents, educators, school board members, and groups have contacted me about Governor Pritzker’s school mask mandate," Tracy said in a post to Facebook. “I wanted to assure everyone that I am doing all I can to appeal to the Governor and work with him and his staff to help them recognize the importance of allowing elected school boards to make policy that affects students in their district.”

With classes across the state returning to in-person learning in September, Pritzker used his executive power to impose his latest order requiring all students and teachers to wear masks, a policy Tracy and many other Republican lawmakers have all spoken out against.

“It is important to note that the Senate Republicans have filed many bills to limit the Governor’s executive orders in current and future situations,” she said. “Those efforts have stalled and our pleas have fallen on deaf ears. His blatant abuse of power continues to amaze me.”

As a parent and grandparent, Tracy said she is urging all school-age parents to sign her petition calling on Pritzker to return power to local authorities.

Tracy has also taken the governor and Democrats to task over new legislative district maps they recently banded to approve.

Tracy argues the maps are a classic example of corruption associated with absolute power.

"Absolute power corrupts absolutely, and we have the perfect example in the maps that passed Aug. 31 and the process in which they were created,” she posted on Facebook. “Tell Governor Pritzker to keep his promise! Sign our petition to veto the maps." She included links to the petition and to send the governor a message.

Back in September, the Quincy Reporter reported Tracy hosted a town hall gathering, where she walked away feeling a stronger sense of connection with her constituents.

“We had a great crowd turn out to our in-person town hall event Sept. 30 at John Wood Community College,” Tracy said in a post to her website. “I was joined by my colleagues Senator Win Stoller of Germantown Hills, Senator Neil Anderson of Andalusia and Senator Steve McClure of Springfield. They are touring the region to gain a better understanding of the issues residents face in west central Illinois.”