(WBBM NEWSRADIO) — Some critics have faulted Gov. JB Pritzker for handling the state’s coronavirus response in a unilateral fashion.
The governor is giving credit where credit’s due, when it comes to a mask mandate that many consider to be effective in stemming the pandemic. He says Plainfield Republican Rep. Mark Batinick made a persuasive argument to him about imposing a mandate.
"That may not have been politically advantageous for him to be so public about it, but I think we have all learned the mask mandate is the most important thing that we've done and is probably the single thing that has kept the most people healthy and alive,” the governor said Monday.
Pritzker was giving one-on-one interviews to reporters on the occasion of the anniversary of the first Illinois coronavirus death: March 16, 2020, when Patricia Frieson passed away. The Chicago woman was 61.
Illinois is currently in the process of easing coronavirus restrictions on businesses and events, now that vaccines are being distributed and metrics have improved.
The state’s Department of Public Health reported 782 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus disease, including 12 additional deaths. The statewide positivity rate was less than 3%.
On another topic, asked about recent sexual harassment allegations against New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo, Pritzker said we must "believe and respect" the women accusing him while waiting for the investigation to play out.
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