Mayor: We Don't Have Authority to Overrule the Governor

Effingham Mayor Mike Schutzbach knows that other municipalities in Illinois have gone ahead and re-opened despite Governor J.B. Pritzker's Stay-at-Home Order. Schutzbach, though, said Effingham will not be following that trend.

(MIKE SCHUTZBACH)

Schutzbach Tuesday said, "We don't have any authority to overrule the governor." The mayor said he has met with Effingham's law enforcement and with City Attorney Tracy Willenborg on the issue. He also said he's heard from plenty of local citizens on the matter.

That said, how would the City handle violations of the Order? Schutzbach said the "best course of action is to ask people to comply." If a business was to open in violation of the Order, Schutzbach said, "You'll get a courtesy call from the City, asking you to comply." There will also be a reminder that the State issues most licenses under which businesses operate. The mayor said he understands that the State plans to revoke, not suspend, state licenses of those that don't comply with the Order.

As to the legality of the governor's actions, Schutzbach said that will be up to the courts to decide. Pritzker Tuesday asked the Illinois Supreme Court to decide about his emergency powers once and for all. No word as to when the court will take up the question.