PEORIA, Ill. – Peoria Mayor Jim Ardis issued a statement Monday saying while neither he nor any other mayor has the power to override state mandates, Peoria also can’t be expending public safety manpower to enforce them.
Ardis issued the following:
“No Mayor in the state has the authority to override the Governor’s Executive Order (EO) unless the Court decides otherwise. We shouldn’t give businesses a false sense of security that the State won’t come in and enforce the Governor’s EO and potentially revoke their liquor and gaming licenses.
“We must encourage our community to do their part to not overburden our hospital capacity. With that said, the City of Peoria Police don’t have the resources to actively enforce the Governor’s EO as a priority over crime.”
Ardis said no one is being forced to go into any bars or restaurants, and he understands the income and revenue problems that could result from the upcoming mitigation.
Appearing on WMBD’s “The Greg and Dan Show” Tuesday morning, Ardis said Peoria could lose government money for COVID-19 relief if it defies Gov. Pritzker’s orders, as he’s implied.
“That’s just another risk that our communities would potentially take by poking him (Pritzker) in the eye,” Ardis said.
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