Ed. note: Following is a letter sent to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker from Elmhurst Mayor Steve Morley.
Dear Governor Pritzker,
I hope that this letter finds you well and that you and your staff are safe and healthy.
As a follow-up to my previous letter dated May 11th, I’d like to reiterate my request to open a dialog to discuss your Restore Illinois Plan. We are all facing this crisis for the first time and I believe any plan to reopen should be considered a “working plan” which allows for input and ongoing improvements. I believe that a flexible plan that allows for input will be more successful than one that is dictated to us.
Many small business owners are currently faced with two choices: go out of business, lose their life’s work and the ability to provide for their families or defy their government and open their business in an effort to survive. Our residents and business owners should not have to make this choice. Let’s work together to create a safe third choice. I have found small business owners and entrepreneurs to be some of the most creative people when it comes to overcoming obstacles for their businesses. Let’s create a plan that allows for safely opening our communities sooner.
As I have previously stated, I believe it is a mistake to combine Elmhurst and DuPage County into the Restore Illinois Northeast Region. I will continue to advocate for a more geographically segmented approach to open safely. We must trust and help our residents and businesses. You have mentioned that Illinois has 102 counties. As you are aware, each county in the state already has an elected representative government in place. These local government bodies have been successful in addressing the needs of the communities they serve. We need to rely on this infrastructure and trust that a safe, science based and logical plan can be implemented at this local level.
I believe that residents and small business owners will respond better to an open dialogue versus threats from their elected officials/government.
I would like to reiterate my appreciation for your hard work during this crisis and look forward to working with you on reopening our state.
Steve Morley
Mayor of the City of Elmhurst
