A day before a Clay County judge was scheduled to hold a hearing to rule on a state lawmaker Darren Bailey’s lawsuit challenging Gov. JB Pritzker’s stay-at-home order, the governor has filed paperwork to move the case to federal court.
“Because Bailey’s action seeks redress for alleged deprivation of at least four rights secured by the United States Constitution, this Court has original jurisdiction over Bailey’s action,” Assistant Chief Deputy Attorney General Thomas Verticchio wrote in the governor’s filing.
Bailey’s attorney, Thomas DeVore, said he plans to file a motion to send the case back to Clay County, saying “It is abundantly clear the Governor is intent on forum shopping.”
