EDWARDSVILLE, Ill (KMOX) - Inspired by President Donald Trump's "Opening Up America" guidelines, the chairman of the Madison County Board is forming his own committee to prepare his county to get back to work.
Kurt Prenzler says he respects that it's Gov. J.B. Pritzker's call on when to reopen the state, but says in Illinois, one size doesn't fit all. So, he's assembled an eight-member committee including retail, construction, agriculture, restaurant, hair styling and religious leaders, and he wants to hear their plans for safely opening their doors again.
"We're gathering information, particularly from small businesses, and asking for their plan of how they propose to reopen in a responsible way," he says.
Prenzler says he will pass along their plans to state officials.
"The only respectful way is to go the State of Illinois and say, 'Here we are. We're responsible citizens. We're responsible businesses. This is our plan for how we can begin to reopen,'" he says.
There's no timetable for finalizing the plan, but Prenzler says it won't take too long. He believes they can accomplish their public health goals, and keep the economy moving, at the same time.