LOUISVILLE, IL — Following a challenge from a local lawmaker to Gov. J.B. Pritzker's modified stay-at-home order, a Clay County judge on Monday issued a temporary restraining order blocking enforcement of the governor's executive order.

State Rep. Darren Bailey, a Xenia Republican, filed a lawsuit Thursday asking a judge to declare the governor overstepped his authority each time he extended the effective date of his emergency order declaring the COVID-19 pandemic a statewide disaster. "I filed this lawsuit on behalf of myself and my constituents who are ready to go back to work and resume a normal life," Bailey said in a statement announcing the suit.



On Thursday, Pritzker announced a modified version of his executive order mandating social distancing and limiting many activities in an effort to reduce the coronavirus' spread throughout the state. The modifications relaxed some restrictions while adding new requirements, such as mandatory face coverings in many public places, and extending the order through the end of May.

Representatives of the governor's office sought a continuance in the case, but were rebuffed by Judge McHaney. Following a hearing Monday, McHaney ruled that Pritzker cannot enforce his March 20 executive order against Bailey and cannot enter "any further Executive Orders against Darren Bailey forcing him to isolate and quarantine in his home," according to the order.

"[Bailey] has shown he has a clearly ascertainable right in need of immediate protection, namely his liberty interest to be free from Pritzker's executive order of quarantine in his own home," McHaney wrote. Illinois Coronavirus Update April 27: Don't miss updates about precautions in Illinois as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

UPDATE: Second State Rep Sues To Overturn Pritzker's Stay-At-Home Order Bailey, who currently represents the 109th District in the Illinois House and is running unopposed to succeed Sen. Dale Righter representing the 55th District in the Illinois Senate, spoke to reporters outside the courthouse after Judge Michael McHaney ruled in his favor Monday. "This is what we fear in America. This is when freedom, when our Constitution comes under attack, when it is ignored, when we as citizens fail to understand and know the truth, and don't look for it, then our liberties are threatened and that's how I felt from day one," Bailey said.