'Getting High Was OK': Mayor Slams Pritzker's Reopening Plan

ORLAND PARK, IL — The way Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has handled the coronavirus pandemic and reopening of the Illinois economy has been criticized by Orland Park Mayor Keith Pekau for the better part of the last three months, and this past week he shared a pair of videos to show what he sees as inconsistencies, hypocrisies and "asinine" parts of the governor's Restore Illinois plan.

Pekau stressed in both videos, one published June 8 and the other June 10, that the state should advance to Phase 4 of Pritzker's plan on Friday, June 12 — which would be the end of a 14-day period of decreased number of coronavirus cases.

"It's time for the hypocrisy to stop," Pekau said. "There is no logic, data or science to explain the restrictions we are living with. I call it weird science."

The mayor pointed out some perceived inconsistencies with the state's policies since the pandemic began in mid-March.

"You could go to an essential store with hundreds of people, but if you play golf with 4 people you will get COVID," he said sarcastically.

"Selling pot was essential, but selling goods and services at a family-owned business was not," he said. "Pot was not even legal and pot dispensaries did not even exist in this state until 6 months ago and in those few months they became essential. But a family-owned business that's been in existence for five generations was not. Really?"

Data showing that more than 90 percent of those who have died from the coronavirus had pre-existing health conditions didn't line up with the ban on working out at a health club, Pekau said.

"However, cannabis was deemed essential," he said. "Getting high was OK. So was a liquor store. Getting drunk was approved."

Now that gyms are open, the mayor sees no sense in only allowing people to use them if they are with a personal trainer.

"I guess only those who can afford a private trainer can work out," he said.

Adding to what he describes as "an asinine display of logic," Pekau said in a sarcastic tone that more than 10,000 convicted criminals were released because "it was not safe."

"However, if restaurant owners opened up, the state threatened them with jail.

"Apparently the jails are safe for business owners who try to make a living."

Pekau has said repeatedly that the village of Orland Park has received "no response" from Pritzker's office after reaching out several times over the past two months. He showed email communication signed by either him alone or with other south suburban mayors on April 10, April 17, April 28, May 5 and May 8.

A Pritzker staffer did email the village manager on May 6 confirming they received the May 5 communication, Pekau told Patch, but when the mayor tried to follow up again there has been no response since.

"Apparently it is OK to buy shoes at Walmart or Target, but not at Miroballi Shoes," he said in his second video, shared below.

Most recently, Orland Park passed a resolution asking Pritzker to open restaurants for indoor seating and to lift other restrictions that are part of the next phase of the reopening plan.

"We have received no response ... again," he said.