The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
You for Operating Your Legal Business"
Hancock County Sheriff Scott Bentzinger said he will not enforce Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker's Stay at Home order. Nor will he fine churches gathering for worship in Hancock County.
He explained to news sources that asked if the department wasn't worried about losing state funding that he does not get any money from the state. In fact, the state has repeatedly reduced money received from fines and fees due to the department when someone is arrested.
Bentzinger said, the state also refuses to take three inmates that are housed in the Hancock County Jail that should be transferred to the Illinois Department of Correction costing dollars to county taxpayers.
"Between March 1, 2020 to April 23, 2020 this governor has released 3,700 inmates from Dept. of Corrections. This includes 48 murderers and 364 Class X felons.
"Of the 16 from Hancock (11 meth related, 2 burglary, 1 aggratvated battery of child, 1 driving revoked, 1 forgery.
"Public Health Safety or political agenda? You decide," he posted on his Facebook.
Monday he posted at 7:25 PM, "I was born into and grew up in my family's small businesses. With a combined total of about 125 years of small business owners, not once since 1935 did the governor of Illinois ever make them shut down or ever threaten them with arrest for their right to operate their business.
We all know there's been lots of health concerns since 1935 and we are still going. I'm not being insensitive about health conerns but I'm confident we can operate safely and intelligently.
"I, your Sheriff and my office, WILL NOT violate your rights and arrest you, ticket you, or make you shut down for operating your legal business. If you operate a business that is clearly illegal by statute (drug dealing, stealing, etc.), my team and I are coming for you and we will give you a ride to my hotel."
Other considerations business owners have to consider are what Illinois State Police, Health Department, state officials and licensing departments may do about following the governor's orders.