Illinois’ Democrat Governor Melts Down After Reporter Asks Why Family Is Spending Lockdown In Florida
By Emily Zanotti
Illinois Democrat governor, J.B. Pritzker, lost his cool in a press conference Thursday afternoon after a reporter from a local news outlet dared to ask why he allowed his family to travel to Florida to wait out the coronavirus pandemic at their $12 million dollar “horse estate” while most “non-essential” travel for Illinois residents is barred.
The multi-billionaire governor, whose family owns the Hyatt hotel chain, has extended Illinois “shelter in place” order until at least May 28, leaving most Illinois unable to work or even leave their homes for “non-essential” tasks. Pritzker has made it clear that he feels the lockdown is a matter of life and death and that travel, including travel out of state, is a major risk factor for spreading the virus, even if that travel isn’t specifically barred by the order.
But on Thursday, a reporter for Illinois Patch — a conglomerate of local news outlets covering cities statewide — got an earful when he dared to ask why the governor allowed his wife and children to leave the state during the first frew weeks of the pandemic to “shelter in place” in Florida — a state which began lifting its own stay-at-home orders on Friday.
“Where is the first lady? Is she accompanied by a state security detail? Has she engaged in nonessential travel? What is your response to people who say the stay-at-home order and nonessential travel bans aren’t being abided by your family?” the reporter queried.
In response, Pritzker lashed out, calling the question “reprehensible.”