* Peter Hancock at Capitol News Illinois…

The Illinois General Assembly on Monday began its second week of shutdown due to the spread of the novel coronavirus disease, COVID-19, and officials said it is still uncertain when, or under what circumstances, the session will resume. […]

“For now, we continue to weigh legislative and procedural priorities so that when we return to session we can be effective and efficient while also protecting public health and safety,” Harmon’s spokesman, John Patterson, said in an email. […]

[Danny Chun, a spokesman for the Illinois Health and Hospital Association] said one of the options he has heard discussed would be to call the General Assembly back into session for a single day – possibly even half a day – just to pass a budget and a few other essential bills.

Patterson did not confirm or deny such a plan, saying in an email, “lots of options are being explored and discussed.”

* Hannah Meisel at the Daily Line…

While tens of thousands of Illinoisans have applied for unemployment benefits in recent weeks as the effects of the Coronavirus ripple through the state’s economy, a large chunk of workers will be left behind unless the federal government acts.

Workers who are considered independent contractors — like ride-hailing drivers and food couriers — are not eligible for unemployment benefits, since they firms that pay them do not paying into the state’s fund for unemployed workers through payroll taxes.

Eighteen percent of Illinois’ workforce are part of the so-called gig economy, according to ADP Research Institute, which published its newest report on the gig economy last month. Illinois is tied for third place among states with the largest segments of work carried out by gig workers, according to the report.

These workers – sometimes called “1099 workers” after the tax form they file – also include freelancers, hairstylists, estheticians, nannies and substitute teachers.

Illinois is tied with Texas for the third-highest percentage of gig workers in the country.

* Pantagraph…

Rivian has shut down all its facilities because of the coronavirus pandemic, according to a post on the company’s Facebook page.

The action was taken “to keep our teams safe and slow the spread of COVID-19,” the post said.

All employees will be paid during the shutdown.

* Sun-Times…

Illinois education officials have applied for a federal waiver to cancel all standardized testing in the state and suspend school ratings and assessments.

The request comes days after U.S. Sec. of Education Betsy DeVos said the Dept. of Education would approve any state applications for waivers as coronavirus-related closures upend school years across the country.

The Illinois State Board of Education said that, if its application is approved, any school that was identified last year as struggling and in need of extra support would continue to receive that support next year.

* The Sun-Times is now running a COVID-19 blog. Some headlines…

Lightfoot, suburban mayors raise red flags about releasing jail detainees over COVID-19

How to apply for unemployment benefits if you are out of work during Illinois’ COVID-19 shutdown

US, Europe account for 85% of new COVID-19 infections, deaths

Rebates on CTA passes, subsidies for Pace and Divvy rides offered to help residents cope with coronavirus crisis

* From the Tribune’s blog…

How much did you pay for hand sanitizer? Illinois consumers file 700 coronavirus price gouging complaints.

Buying online is no shortcut to getting items hard to find on shelves. ‘They’re not going to have any more success getting toilet paper than you are.’

Mundelein mayor announces COVID-19 diagnosis

2 staff members at Lovell Federal Health Care Center test positive for COVID-19

Illinois settles into stay-at-home as neighboring states take patchwork of approaches

* SJ-R…

Sheriff: No immediate plans to release inmates from jail

Coronavirus stayed on surfaces for up to 17 days on Diamond Princess cruise, CDC says

COVID-19 symptoms can be all or nothing: ‘This virus just has the whole kit and caboodle’

Ford partners with 3M, GE to make respirators, ventilators and face shields

‘Bigger than the Olympic Games’: Athletes react to postponement of Tokyo 2020

* Daily Herald…

Statewide doctors group concerned about workload, but suburban hospitals say staffing levels are strong

In unprecedented move for local town, Elk Grove issues $2.8 million coronavirus relief package

* Lorraine Swanson at the Patch…

The shuttered MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island, could begin receiving quarantined coronavirus patients as early as this Thursday after the City of Chicago struck an agreement with the current operators to reopen the hospital.

MetroSouth stopped receiving patients in September 2019. Last week, Quorum Health announced that it had completed a sale of the hospital property to Lockwood Development Partners, a real estate development company with offices in Chicago. The rapid rise of coronavirus cases in Illinois, which as of Monday numbered 1,285 and 12 deaths, prompted some legislators to call for MetroSouth to be reopened to treat COVID-19 patients.

U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush (Illinois 1st District) and state Rep. Bob Rita (28th District) asked Gov. JB Pritizker to take steps to immediately get the Blue Island facility back in operation. The equipment in the former MetroSouth emergency room was transferred to Lockwood, according to a news release from the City of Blue Island.

The reopened facility will provide 200 additional beds for the isolation and quarantine of people who have been exposed to or tested positive for COVID-19, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health. The city also plans to rent 2,000 rooms in downtown Chicago for people who’ve tested positive or been exposed to someone with the virus.

* Speaking of Blue Island…

The Blue Island Police Department has reported back to work as of 6 a.m. today, following a temporary closure of the department on March 22, 2020. The closure was in response to an employee who tested positive for COVID-19. The department has been thoroughly cleaned and personnel not in direct contact with the affected employee have returned to work.