SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) — In an about-face, Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s administration on Wednesday afternoon suddenly withdrew a controversial emergency rule that threatened fines or potential jail time for business owners who defy his executive orders.
After huddling quietly for three hours in a closed session, the six Democrats who sit on the joint committee on administrative rules emerged and joined their Republican counterparts. A representative for the Illinois Department of Public Health quickly announced the Pritzker administration has withdrawn its emergency rule.
Sen. Paul Schimpf (R-Waterloo) called it a win for the legislative branch and the separation of powers.
A separate bill that could potentially expand the Governor’s executive powers is pending before the legislature.
This story will be updated.
