DeKalb Times

State Rep. Jeff Keicher (R-Dekalb) shared a message of hope, along with resources, during the uncertainty of COVID-19.

In his letter to his constituents, Keicher wrote that he hoped by sharing links to resources it would help put everyone at ease.

"I’m hopeful that the actions taken by Gov. Pritzker will go a long way toward a more limited impact to Illinois as compared to states or countries that waited too long to act," Keicher wrote. "He is operating under his emergency executive powers and taking action that he deems appropriate to save lives of Illinois residents."

Keicher wrote that there were critical emergency bills that still needed to be addressed, but they would have to wait a little bit longer because the meetings of the Illinois General Assembly had been canceled. He noted that he and other House members needed to meet at some point to focus on those critical bills that would help families, hospitals and small businesses.

During a time when Illinois residents have been ordered to stay home for all but essential business, Keicher wrote that he has spoken with grocery store employees, health care workers on the front line, parents and spouses and business owners regarding their viability and payroll when the crisis with COVID-19 ends.

"As I’ve reached out and spoken to essential workers, seniors, parents, social service agencies, local government units, schools and employers there’s two things that stand out," Keicher wrote. "First is their spirit and second is their recognition that soon recovery will start."

Keicher wrote that there were many positives he's seen in the midst of all the negatives with the novel coronavirus, including hearing from parents who have told him they've enjoyed spending more time with their children and others working on home improvements or reading and watching new television shows.

The resources Keicher shared included the state's COVID-19 response site with daily updates from the governor, the Centers for Disease Control website, the state's Board of Education for schooling at home updates, and several county government websites.