“I was willing to do the shelter-in-place to flatten the curve and do what was needed for the country. In the beginning I think it was the only decision that was able to be made. But after that, nothing is making sense."
The state’s unemployment rate continues to soar as joblessness hits more than 1 in 5 workers.
Small businesses have struggled since their doors were forced to close March 21. A new poll shows 75% of Illinoisans want them to be allowed to reopen now.
‘Restore Illinois’ is short on details about when and how Illinoisans can get back to work.
“How are we supposed to pay our bills? Just keep selling our stuff, until there’s nothing left? But you can’t do that because you have people counting on you."
“We live a pretty simple life. We live well within our means. We’re not in any great discomfort. My concern is for patients going forward and for staff."
"Having that progressive tax is going to do nothing but hurt people more."
Illinois’ self-employed workers have been unable to receive assistance since the pandemic began. Now the state wants them to apply, be denied, and apply again for help.
COVID-19 and measures to contain the disease have resulted in unemployment that’s over 50% higher than the worst months of the Great Recession.
“I’m against [the progressive tax] completely. We already get taxed enough. We get our license plates raised, they want progressive taxes. We get taxed harder and harder every year."
"I don’t think Illinois really knows what a small business is. It’s not a business-friendly state."
Uncertainty is amplifying the difficulty of the COVID-19 crisis, and Illinoisans need information on what a safe reopening will look like.
Farmers have always proven resilient and ultimately will survive the virus and anything state government lobs at them.
State sheds 34,100 jobs during early stages of COVID-19 economic fallout.