Jeff Buckler, the owner of Lil Buford’s Bar & Grill in Champaign County in Illinois, slammed the $600 COVID-19 relief checks and restrictions that have kept businesses closed in his state.
Buckler has defied the lockdown to keep his employees working so they can pay their bills.
Buckler is concerned the lockdowns will wipe out the middle class.
From Fox News:
“They’re going to starve to death,” he said. “They’re talking about a $600 stimulus check that won’t even pay a month’s rent. People have car payments, utility bills and all that stuff. Food to put on the table for their kids.”The Lil Buford’s Bar & Grill owner said this limited support is going to drive restaurant workers out of the industry and into more stable, better-paying jobs, or ultimately unemployment. And Buckler added that unemployment funding isn’t enough, either.”Unemployment as a server – we’ve got one girl – gets $150 over two weeks. How are you supposed to survive on that money?” he asked. “You just can’t.”
Democrat Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker officially placed the 11 regions of the state “in Pase 4 Tier 3, which prohibits indoor service at bars and restaurants while retail businesses can allow customers in at 25 percent capacity.”
On December 17, Buckler filmed Champaign County health inspectors filling out paperwork against him because he had indoor dining in his business:
Buckler refused to sign any paperwork despite receiving a $500 fine every day he stays open:
“COVID rates are down, go to Walmart, go to Target, go to any other shopping mall and it’s packed beyond belief,” Buckler told the county officials. “We’ve got nine people in here.”Buckler then asked the officials if there were any instances of COVID-19 transmission in his establishment, to which he didn’t get a specific answer.“How are you shutting me down for something you don’t know anything about?” Buckler said, refusing to sign anything.“My intent is to fight this tyranny that we’re being stuck with,” he said on the video. “Enjoy your Christmas. I know the employees won’t of all the places you’re shutting down.”
Buckler told local radio station WMAY he has no intention of backing down:
Buckler later told WMAY radio he’s taking a stand despite being fined $500 per day for allowing people inside to eat. He said other establishments in the county are also operating in defiance of the indoor prohibition.“If everybody would open up, they would have to give in,” Buckler said. “People are scared. People do what they’re told. We’re sheep being led to the slaughter.”
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