* Mattoon…
A patient at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center has tested positive for the disease from coronavirus, according to hospital spokeswoman Patty Peterson.
The patient was treated in the SBLHC emergency room and the Illinois Department of Public Health notified the hospital late Friday that the person was positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, Peterson said.
She said the patient resides in the SBLHC 10-county service area but couldn’t say more about the person’s residence or identity because of patient confidentiality requirements.
Asked if this was the first Downstate case, the governor’s press secretary said today “Yes we have our first cases downstate.” So, there’s more than one.
*** UPDATE *** WICS…
On March 14th, our ABC affiliates, HOI in Peoria say they spoke with officials at Unity Point Methodist Clinic that confirms the first COVID-19 case in Central Illinois.
A patient at the clinic was tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, March 13th.
* Meanwhile, the President of the United States has declared a national emergency, but a central Illinois public health director says meh…
Live your life as you normally would.
That is the message from the Director of the DeWitt/Piatt Bi-County Health Director as the response to the coronavirus intensifies across the country. Dave Remmert points out there are no cases of coronavirus in DeWitt or Piatt County, nor are there any cases in this region.
That guy should be removed from office.
* ABC 7…
Concerns about the COVID-19 virus are causing major challenges for election officials in Chicago and Cook County.
With the Illinois Primary just 4 days away, hundreds of elections judges have quit and polling places are opting out.
“Our problems occur on two fronts, one is that 50 polling places have closed to date that number seems to be growing,” said Edmund Michalowski, Deputy clerk of elections for Cook County.
The county is moving many of those polling places that have opted out to courthouses which will house multiple precincts.
They have also lost more than 800 election judges, 10 percent of what they will need.
Make do and mend.
* Big news…
Chief Judge Evans postpones most cases for 30 days due to coronavirus
Released On 03/13/2020
Many criminal and civil cases in the Circuit Court of Cook County will be postponed for a 30-day period starting Tuesday (March 17) due to the spread of the coronavirus, Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans announced today.
Go read the rest for deets.
* Croke’s top opponent, appointed Rep. Yoni Pizer (D-Chicago) has suspended all in-person campaigning…
Mayor Lightfoot is a Pizer supporter, but it’s still probably good advice…
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot issued the following statement on Saturday, urging candidates in Tuesday’s primary election to cease in-person get-out-the-vote operations in light of efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus:
“In light of guidance from public health officials to practice social distancing to stem the COVID-19 outbreak, political campaigns and organizations should take immediate steps to cease in-person get-out-the-vote efforts. At this moment, we must all do everything we can to stop the spread of this virus. While I am fully aware that this is not an ideal situation for campaigns as I understand the type of in-person and close contact campaigning that is traditionally done within the final days of an election, everyone must now take responsibility for keeping our communities safe. There are plenty of organizing tactics available that don’t involve in-person contact such as phone banking, texting out the vote and other virtual communications practices.
“Those who wish to lead us in government should model good and safe behavior by stopping these activities in order to slow the spread of this virus. This is a time to put safety over politics.”
* This is a good idea because the city has left hundreds of millions of dollars a year on the table because it hasn’t opted in…
With conventions and concerts cancelling, professional sports leagues on hiatus and more and more employees working from home, city revenues are dropping like a rock.
A budget based on a bunch of shaky assumptions even before the crisis will now hemorrhage revenue from taxes on everything from amusements, retail sales, hotel rooms and restaurant meals to parking and gasoline — not to mention lost congestion fees. CTA fares are also certain to take a hit.
At the risk of re-opening an old wound, Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th), the mayor’s floor leader, suggested a possible life raft.
“Video gaming,” he said with a nervous laugh.
“Video gaming,” he repeated. “If you look across the state, it’s generating a ton of money. And we haven’t been involved. I think there’s an opportunity to capture some revenue there.”
* I mean, what did they expect? They should’ve read their sweeping and even draconian ordinance before passing it…
At a meeting Friday morning, the Champaign City Council unanimously approved an ordinance that gives the mayor and city manager certain emergency powers in response to the coronavirus pandemic. […]
The expansive powers in the ordinance spread quickly online, with the clause allowing a restriction on firearm sales leading the lobbying arm of the National Rifle Association to issue a “National Alert.”
Later in the day, the city tried to clean up, issuing a statement that it doesn’t plan to take anyone’s guns.
“To be clear, there is currently no firearm ban and no intent to seize property or close businesses,” the city’s statement said. “Additionally, there are no restrictions on the sale of alcohol or gas or the ability to enter or leave Champaign.”
* From a Marie Newman supporter…
Hi Rich,
Just wanted to make sure you saw that Rep Dan Lipinski held a coronavirus virtual town hall and put out coronavirus messaging on twitter and then sat out on the vote to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
The explanation…
He was in the district. The congressman was prepared to fly back to DC to vote for the package but after conferring with House leadership they told him they had reached a bipartisan deal and his vote wasn’t necessary. I believe 25 other reps did not vote. He definitely would have been a yes vote. This morning he held a tele-town hall on the coronavirus for Third District constituents featuring a panel of experts from Northwestern, U of C, Cook County Department of Public Health and the State. He went over the details of the package passed last night and the healthcare experts answered questions and provided information about steps the public can take to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
* Roundup…
* Can our hospitals handle the coronavirus outbreak? - A spokesman for the Illinois Hospital Association is urging calm as public health officials figure out the magnitude of the virus locally. But one expert warns “this is going to be a fairly tremendous strain on our health system.”
* House passes coronavirus aid package for free tests and sick pay after Trump declares outbreak a national emergency
* Coronavirus in Illinois updates: Here’s what’s happening Saturday with COVID-19 in the Chicago area: 12:05 p.m.: Elmhurst Memorial Hospital confirms its 1st coronavirus patient … 11:25 a.m.: Chicago Park District suspends all scheduled programing ‘until further notice’
* Tribune: Running list of Chicago-area closings and cancellations because of coronavirus
* Illinois Department of Corrections suspends visits to all IDOC facilities
* ‘Huge cloud’ hangs over concert industry as Live Nation and AEG shut down tours amid coronavirus
* Apple closes all stores outside of China for 2 weeks to fight coronavirus pandemic
* Fact check: Trump’s false claims about his response to the coronavirus
* The S&P 500 Had Its Choppiest Week Since Hoover Was President
* Tom Kacich: A century later, same rules apply to stop spread of disease
* Heidi Stevens: Closing all Illinois schools, including CPS, means a lot of kids will need food. Meet some of the people stepping in to help.
* Sweep of cancellations hit Springfield amid busiest convention period
* Springfield: Churches, worship centers making adjustments for weekend services
* Here’s how Southern Illinois community colleges are responding to COVID-19
* Some Southern Illinois schools closing a day ahead of Pritzker mandate
