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Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, June 30, 2020
Statement from Assistant Attorney General Eric Dreiband and U.S. Attorney Steven D. Weinhoeft on Federal Court’s Decision that Legal Challenge to Illinois Governor’s Sweeping COVID-19 Orders Belongs in State Court
Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Eric Dreiband and U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Illinois Steven D. Weinhoeft issued the following statement on yesterday’s ruling, agreeing with the Justice Department, that a legal challenge to Governor J.B. Pritzker’s COVID-19 orders belongs in Illinois state court rather than federal court:
“It is now up to the Illinois courts to decide if Governor Pritzker’s continuing COVID-19 executive orders are lawful. These sweeping proclamations affect more than 12.5 million Americans, restrict their freedom to associate, practice their faith, and engage in commerce. And, these orders appear to reach far beyond the scope of the 30-day emergency authority granted to the governor under Illinois law.
The United States Constitution requires that every state in this nation establish and maintain a Republican Form of Government. This means that governors cannot restrict our freedom by issuing unlawful edicts.
Governors do not rule us. We are self-governing, and governors answer to the people through the democratic process. For that reason, all public officials, including governors, must comply with the law. Even in the face of a pandemic, states must follow their own laws and make these sensitive policy choices in a manner responsive to the people. Doing so, both respects and serves the goals of our broader federal structure.
The Department of Justice remains committed to defending the rule of law and the American people at all times, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic.”