Quincy Reporter

State Sen. Jil Tracy is demanding a public hearing be held on legislation that would place a limit on Gov. JB Pritzker’s executive authority.

The request came following Pritzker’s declaration earlier this month that monkeypox was a public health crisis in the state of Illinois, an Aug. 5 Week in Review news release from the senator’s office said. Tracy noted that Pritzker is “governing by fiat” with the 30-day executive order on monkeypox.

“The Illinois State Constitution calls for a balance of power between the legislative, executive, and judicial branches when making decisions that affect Illinoisans,” Tracy said in the release.

First filed in February 2021, Senate Bill 103 requires the governor to obtain legislative approval in order to reissue a disaster declaration after the initial 30-day proclamation. The General Assembly would then have to pass a resolution approving the extension or further proclamation within five calendar days.

The last action on the bill was on May 21, 2021, when it was re-referred to the Assignments committee.

Tracy noted that if the legislation is not passed, Pritzker will be allowed to continue to “shut duly elected lawmakers out of the decision-making process.” 

“MPV is a rare, but potentially serious disease that requires the full mobilization of all available public health resources to prevent the spread,” Pritzker said upon issuing the public health emergency declaration for monkeypox on Aug. 1, CBS News reported. “That's why I am declaring a state of emergency to ensure smooth coordination between state agencies and all levels of government, thereby increasing our ability to prevent and treat the disease quickly. We have seen this virus disproportionately impact the LGBTQ+ community in its initial spread. Here in Illinois we will ensure our LGBTQ+ community has the resources they need to stay safe while ensuring members are not stigmatized as they access critical health care.”