Illinois state police officers won’t arrest people for violating Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s executive orders.
“No individual will be arrested or taken to jail for a violation of the Executive Orders or emergency rules,” the Illinois State Police said in a statement.
Officers are focusing on urging voluntary compliance with the orders and will not issue criminal misdemeanor penalties against individuals for violation of the orders or rules.
But officers may apply the rules to corporations, LLPs, or other business entities, the statement continued.
“We encourage all citizens to continue to do their part to maintain public health as we move forward in the days ahead with Reopening Illinois,” police added.
Violators could be fined up to $2,500 and receive up to one year of jail time.
State officials compared the possible citation to getting a traffic ticket and said no one would get arrested, though a court appearance would be required.
State lawmakers disagreed, alleging an overreach of Pritzker’s authority.
“It will be a dark day in Illinois when we charge small businesses with a jailable crime for salvaging their livelihoods.” House Republican Leader Jim Durkin said in a statement.
The 12-person Joint Committee on Administrative Rules was set to vote on whether to block the new rules, but Pritzker withdrew them before a vote could happen.