South Central Reporter

Rep. C.D. Davidsmeyer (R-Jacksonville) announced he will file a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request for the data Gov. J.B. Pritzker cites his COVID-19-related decisions.

Davismeyer said one of the things House Republicans have been trying to get from the governor for a long time is data.

"We keep hearing science this and science that," Davidsmeyer said. "The issue we have as a co-equal branch of government is that we do not have access to that data."

Davidsmeyer said that despite making requests for the data, they have set to receive it.

"We’ve been requesting any info the governor has been using to make his decisions," Davidsmeyer said. "We’ve requested to speak with the epidemiologist. He says 'no' and tells us to listen to his press conferences."

Davidsmeyer said he's made multiple requests for the data.

"I have yet to see any response to some of my requests and I am prepared today to send out FOIA requests, which gives the department seven business days to respond to my questions," Davidsmeyer said. "I expect to receive some real, factual information because right now I am wondering if we are basing our decisions on science or a consultant hired by the governor."

He also said he wants to make sure the reopening is done in a safe way.

"I’m waiting to see at what capacity these outside groups are making these decisions," Davidsmeyer said. "As we move forward, I want to make sure we do this in a safe way. We’re asking for a way we can start the economy slowly and help businesses."

Davidsmeyer said the governor cannot mislead people on this forever.

"The longer the economy stays closed, the worse the impact is going to have on the budget," Davidsmeyer said. "I think we can start moving forward and have taxpayers start paying taxes into the coffers so that we can continue and impacts will be less."

Davidsmeyer said they're still waiting to hear what the numbers and planned projects. He said to his knowledge, there has been basically zero communication between the governor’s office and legislators.

"The reality is the communication has not been there so we don’t know the direction he’s trying to take," Davidsmeyer said. 

Davidsmeyer stressed the importance of access to the data that Pritzker has been using.