The Illinois Gaming Board (“IGB”) has communicated to the State’s 10 casinos that their facilities must suspend gambling operations for 14 days beginning Monday March 16, 2020. The public health of patrons, casino employees, IGB staff, and others is of paramount importance. The Board is continuously monitoring developments and will update licensees and the public as frequently as possible.
* Meanwhile…
In response to Governor JB Pritzker’s call for a moratorium on water, natural gas and electric service disconnections, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) has been in contact with investor-owned regulated utilities urging them to take immediate steps to cease disconnections for non-payment, and to suspend the imposition of late payment fees or penalties, until May 1, 2020.
“The ICC is prepared to do everything possible within our authority to ensure consumers’ essential water, natural gas, and electric services remain intact for all Illinois citizens. We have already reached out to the utilities seeking confirmation that they have plans in place to prevent service disruptions, and to request that they stop disconnections and suspend late payment fees or penalties, until May 1, 2020,” said Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC) Chairman Carrie Zalewski.
In addition to phone calls by ICC senior staff to the regulated utilities, a letter sent by the ICC on Friday (see attached), said that it is likely that the disconnection of services for non-payment may disproportionately affect the elderly and persons with medical conditions, and other vulnerable persons.
“Families coping with the illness or uncertainty about COVID-19, or a loss of income as a result of this public health emergency shouldn’t have to worry about disruptions in critical utility services or being hit with hefty late fees. The ICC is in the process of determining what formal steps need to be taken regarding the termination of utility service to customers and will react expeditiously as allowed under the law,” said Zalewski.
* And…
In an effort to mitigate the spread of the coronavirus in the region, the Illinois Tollway will temporarily implement all-electronic tolling as a precaution to limit the potential spread of coronavirus to customers, as well as Tollway employees.
“We are closely monitoring reports and advisories provided by the Illinois Department of Public Health and are fully focused on protecting the health and safety of the public,” said Executive Director José Alvarez. “At all points on our system, all customers should be advised to keep moving and not stop at toll plazas.”
All Illinois Tollway roadways will remain open to traffic; however, over the next 24 hours toll booths at mainline toll plazas will be taken offline, and automatic toll payment machines at ramp and mainline toll plazas will be deactivated. The Tollway’s maintenance staff, incident management personnel and HELP truck drivers will remain on duty.
During this time, grace period tolling will be extended and violations will be held through the duration of these toll plaza service interruptions. Toll collection will be entirely handled via I-PASS, E-ZPass and through the Tollway’s online payment portal. I-PASS and E-ZPass customers will see no impact to their day-to-day travel.
Customers without I-PASS are encouraged to do the following:
Visit www.illinoistollway.com to calculate missed tolls and pay online within seven days or use the search by plate feature after seven days.
Visit a Jewel-Osco store to obtain an I-PASS transponder and activate the transponder online.
* Mayor Lightfoot began her press conference with praise for Gov. Pritzker…
As you all know, the governor mandated that all schools across the state will be closed until March 31. I’ve been working hand in glove with the governor and his team throughout this process. We have a great partnership and an open line of communication that will continue. Because that’s in the best interests of our residents.
The governor has the entire state to consider. As always, I am focused on what is in the best interests of Chicago. And while our circumstances are different from other parts of the state. The governor was of course aware of these challenges, and has been working tirelessly to be a great support for the city of Chicago. And I’m confident that that will continue.
* She continued…
For now let me say something to the CPS community in our entire city, in light of this order. The best place for our students to be is at home.
COVID-19 is posing a significant threat to the well being of our city country and world. We all have a role to play in stopping the spread of this virus. That is why I’m asking residents affected by this decision to remain in your homes. Of course I know that’s not possible for everyone. CPS serves thousands of children who are experiencing homelessness or housing instability. Many of our students parents are low income and undocumented workers who may not have access to pay sick leave, or be late, or maybe living paycheck to paycheck.
That is why I’m also appealing to Chicago’s business community, to go overboard to accommodate these workers who are CPS parents. We will continue having conversations with company leaders, but we need them to review their employee policies. Now, and be as accommodating as possible. It goes without saying that these are not ordinary times, and we need employers to be in partnership with their employees.
This post will be updated. And, remember, Otter is doing the transcription, so expect some typos.
* CPS CEO Janice Jackson…
All of our CPS locations will be food distribution centers. Beginning on Tuesday March 17 at 9am until 1pm every single day throughout the closure families will be able to pick up three days worth of food at any given time for each child that lives in their household.
* Mayor Lightfoot was asked if she opposed school closings…
What I did is had a series of conversations with the governor starting this morning, but the governor and I are in lockstep. He’s our partner. He’s been supporting us. There’s no gray between the governor and as I said, what we are focused on is not the why, but the how, the how we implement this order in a way that is supportive of our families, knowing that we’ve got a lot of different families under different circumstances. We’re placing great emphasis on making sure that we get food to our young people are placing great emphasis on making sure that we’re thinking about the, the parents who are healthcare workers so we provide support to them, so they can continue to do their job and support the health care system, we’re making sure that we’re providing opportunities for those parents who can’t afford to take work off that they have a place to take their children, that is safe and nurturing, so we’re focused on the road ahead. That’s what we continue to focus on. That’s the obligation that we have to our parents, our residents, the governor understand that I understand that. And we are locked arms and making sure that we’re supporting our families.
* Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was not at the governor’s press conference today when he announced the closure of all Illinois K-12 schools, public and private. She’s having her own press conference tonight at 6 (link is here). I will be doing a post about that. The governor will also be having press conferences this weekend at 2:30 each day. I will likely post updates on those. Comments, however, will remain closed, unless something truly big happens.
I posted this on Twitter today, and it seems a fitting way to close out the week. Stay well…
"In Siena, the city to which I am very attached, you stay at home but you sing together as if you were on the street. I was moved" https://t.co/PUu6JKoG31
Gov. J.B. Pritzker told school superintendents statewide on a call Friday that we he will order schools to close from Tuesday, with classes set to resume March 30, a source familiar with the call told the Chicago Tribune.
This came a day after Pritzker ordered the cancellation of public events in Illinois with more than 1,000 people to slow the spread of the coronavirus, the Archdiocese of Chicago canceled public masses and closed all Chicago-area Catholic schools. Meanwhile, the Chicago Teachers Union issued a demand Friday morning for all Chicago public schools to be closed.
The governor is about to begin a press conference, so this post will be updated. Click here to watch.
The decision, to be announced Friday afternoon, comes after days of steadfast resistance from Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot to close Chicago Public Schools, the nation’s third largest public school district, serving more than 350,000 students. […]
The moves follows other states and cities — including Ohio, Maryland, Michigan, Los Angeles, Philadelphia, Seattle, San Diego and San Francisco — that announced widespread school closures this week.
…Adding… The governor on the president’s national emergency announcement…
This is an important step and we will work to bring every resource available to us into the state. But make no mistake, we have long since passed the moment when we thought we could count on the federal government to lead in the face of this unprecedented situation
Remember, I’m using Otter for transcription, so typos will happen.
* On the school closures…
Here in Illinois, we are doing everything we can to keep transmission rates as low as possible to flatten the curve for our healthcare workers and our first responders, for our most vulnerable populations and our older citizens. And we’re working with other states and with federal officials to ensure that our national mindset reflects those same priorities. It’s with that in mind, that I have determined that we will close all k-12 schools, public and private statewide starting Tuesday, March 17 through March 30.
This is the timeline that we are laying out today. Let me be clear, I understand the gravity of this action, and what it means for every community in our state, as well as the families and caretakers of the 2 million students that gather in large groups every day in school classrooms and assemblies. None of the choices that we have had to make over the last week have been easy or simple. All of these choices have cascading effects for citizens and vulnerable populations. When it comes to food access and safety childcare and social services. It’s my job to weigh the benefits and risks of any one particular course of action, and to come to the best possible conclusion.
* Food insecurity…
I want to address the first consequence that will come to mind for so many: food access. Our State Board of Education has received the necessary waivers to continue to distribute two meals a day to children who qualify for free and reduced lunch, through a combination of delivery and parent pickup meal options. ISBE is working with local school districts across the state to develop guidelines on how to best distribute meals across the community in a safe and healthy manner. We’re also working directly with the eight major food banks across the state, as well as food manufacturers to ramp up capacity to serve our most vulnerable children.
* Why schools?…
I know a lot of people are wondering why schools when we know that children seem to be less susceptible to CORVID-19 than other populations. But this is a critical part of our larger social distancing efforts. In addition to kids with immunocompromised conditions. We have teachers and administrators, parents, and the larger population to consider. I’m speaking in the very literal sense when I say that having the general public stay home one day at a time, will have a massive effect on bending this curve. And that means lives saved.
We have seen positive results in countries that took aggressive action. And we have seen the tragic outcomes in countries that did not.
* The governor asks people to stay home this weekend…
So please, this weekend, if you can, stay home. If you’re able to telework, do so. If you don’t have to travel, don’t. This isn’t forever. This is a sacrifice in the short term, to help our hospitals our healthcare workers, our testing laboratories, and our vulnerable and elderly residents. We all have a duty to each of them.
* Mayor Lightfoot, who opposed the school closings and is not at the governor’s press conference, will hold her own briefing with CPS at 6 tonight.
* Illinois Superintendent of Education Carmen Ayala…
We have asked that at least one administrator stay on site during regular school hours. In case children whose parents cannot be home, or children experiencing homelessness need a safe place to go. This is a scary time, but please know that we are here to do anything and everything we can to help our schools and our students get through this crisis.
* Ayala on if teachers will be paid…
These days would be classified as Act of God days. And so, attendance really isn’t impacted. It’s like a normal working day. And so the preliminary information that we’re looking at is that school personnel would continue to be paid during the Act of God days in the emergency days
*** UPDATE *** IDPH director…
Today we are announcing an additional 14 cases. All but one are in the Chicago Cook County area.
* Illinois Federations of Teachers President Dan Montgomery…
We support Governor Pritzker’s decision to close Illinois schools to prevent further spread of COVID-19. This is an historic and difficult decision, but it is the responsible action to ensure the health of our students, faculty, staff, and communities.
* Pritzker was asked why the mayor isn’t at the presser…
I’ve been in consultation all day, they’re quite busy also figuring out all of the things that will need to be doing as well.
* Why Tuesday?…
One of the things that school districts are concerned about is if you’re sending kids home, will they have lesson plans, will they have elearning, some schools have elearning some kids have available to them internet others don’t. And so we wanted to make sure that the teachers were able to get lesson plans, put together over the weekend, whether they’re online or offline and get together with their kids to explain to them the work that they could do over the next two weeks when they’re not in session together, that they might do either online or just on paper.
* Why just two weeks?…
We’ll be making this decision frankly every day through the two weeks if we could go back into school earlier we’ll choose to do that. But as we approach the end of this two week period, we’ll make a decision, but I think that two weeks is the right time. […]
Look, this is unprecedented so it’s very difficult to give guidance about something in the future that you’re asking about. I don’t think that I would tell parents to prepare unnecessarily for a very lengthy time period, out of school, on the other hand I would say to parents, they should be monitoring this every day they should go to the IDPH website. they should be listening in on these broadcasts. They should be listening, mostly to our health care professionals. And we’ll be making decisions as we go but as of now we think this is the right period of time.
* Again, what changed overnight?…
Over the course of the evening and overnight and this morning, and contemplating as well, having made the decisions that we made already about limiting gatherings, I started to think about the kids who will go to school and who may in fact, end up going home and bringing it home to their parents or grandparents, and I really came to the conclusion that you know we’re telling adults essentially don’t gather in large groups. But we’re telling kids, you know that you can bump up against each other in a hallway, even if you might not have an assembly.
I also was reading a lot of the new information coming out of Italy. And I’m very concerned I’m very concerned about flattening this curve. And I think this is the right thing to do. We’re all focused on getting past this situation this circumstance, and I think this is a short term measure that will help us. Also, alleviate the burden on our healthcare workers in our hospitals, because we’re going to see more cases.
* Daycare and mass transit…
There’s no new consideration right now around mass transit, but I will tell you about daycare centers that number one we’re working on expanding childcare availability. We’re also giving guidance to those childcare facilities, again those are very small groups typically in childcare centers. But we are giving guidance and we’re importantly, trying to expand unemployment benefits for people who say ‘listen I need to be home with my child.’ And so we’re working hard at the federal government level, you know that there’s a piece of legislation that’s working its way through this afternoon. Hopefully it may have passed while we’re standing here but but hopefully by the end of the evening, it will that will help us with our unemployment benefit challenge so we can offer that to everybody we are going to offer benefits, but the federal government has a bill that will expand those benefits and open up health care for a lot of people who might otherwise not get it.
* Test availability and the federal government…
I have been asking that question every single day of the federal government. I’m not going to stop asking it. We don’t know. And it’s because they didn’t plan well enough. Here’s what I will tell you though. I met with many of the hospital leaders in the state of Illinois. Many of those hospitals or research centers are developing or have already developed their own test, and they’re going through rapid FDA approval processes that now the federal government is allowing, So we will be able to expand the tests. Their homegrown, meaning that we made them here in Illinois, but these are some of the greatest medical institutions in the country, and they’ve developed tests that work. And so we’ll have at least more that are available, but still not enough the federal government needs to step up.
Press conference is over.
…Adding… Press release…
The Illinois Education Association (IEA) President Kathi Griffin released the following statement after Gov. JB Pritzker announced Illinois schools will be shut down beginning on Tues., March 17:
“In light of the COVID-19 pandemic, we applaud the Governor for taking action to keep our students, our schools and our communities safe. Thank you for hearing our voices and recognizing our concerns. We especially appreciate efforts to make sure students will continue to receive two meals each day and that funding will not be interrupted. We realize closing schools across the state is a decision that comes with enormous responsibility. There is no replacement for the one-to-one connection between our educators and our students, but health and safety take precedence. We will get through this. We must continue to stand together.”
President Donald Trump announced Friday that he is declaring the coronavirus pandemic a national emergency, as Washington struggles with providing Americans with relief and officials race to slow the spread of the outbreak.
Speaking from the Rose Garden, Trump said, “I am officially declaring a national emergency.” He said the emergency would open up $50 billion for state and local governments to respond to the outbreak.
Trump said he was also giving Secretary of Health and Human Services Secretary Alex Azar emergency authorities to waive federal regulations and laws to give doctors and hospitals “flexibility” in treating patients.
Trump spoke as negotiations continue between the White House and Congress on an aid package, but there was no announcement of a breakthrough, as House Democrats prepare to vote on their own measure Friday.
The City of Champaign approved an ordinance Friday morning putting the city under a local emergency.
The reason is to prepare for a possible coronavirus spread. Mayor Deb Feinen said she declared the local emergency to set up a process for the City to continue to run if the pandemic gets worse.
The city council unanimously approved the ordinance at their special meeting. The local emergency will be in effect for 28 days. City officials said the regulations used in the ordinance come from City code.
The city manager said there are some regulations in there that will become immediately useful. However, there are some like the suspension of liquor licenses and closing of businesses that won’t be necessary unless the situation gets worse in Champaign. Mayor Feinen said she hopes it won’t get there. “Making sure that we are prepared and ready for any eventuality. I hope all of this is for naught and that none of the emergency measures we’ve put into place are necessary,” said Feinen.
After the declaration of an emergency, the Mayor may in the interest of public safety and welfare make any or all of the following orders and provide the following direction:
So what they did was copy and paste language into the new ordinance from an ordinance adopted back in August of 2006, which was an amendment to existing language which probably looked quite similar. It’s all based on this state law…
The corporate authorities of each municipality may by ordinance grant to the mayor the extraordinary power and authority to exercise, by executive order, during a state of emergency, such of the powers of the corporate authorities as may be reasonably necessary to respond to the emergency.
The City of Champaign, IL. will hold an Emergency Meeting this morning to pass an Ordinance related to the “Emergency Created by the Impact of the COVID-19 Virus” – better known as the “Coronavirus” or the “Wuhan Virus.”
The City proposes to grant extraordinary powers to the Mayor, which include (starting on page 8 of the below pdf):
Violating parts of the Open Meetings Act
Ban sale of firearms and ammunition
Ban sale of any alcohol
Closing of all bars, taverns, liquor stores, etc
Ban sale or giving away of gasoline or other liquid flammable or combustible products in any container other than a gasoline tank permanently fixed to a motor vehicle
Direct the shutoff of power, water, gas, etc
Take possession of private property and obtain full title to same
Prohibit or restrict ingress and egress to and from the City
One thing noticeably absent? The Mayor will not have the power to prohibit the sale of marijuana.
Cannabis wasn’t legal in 2006 when the city ordinance was approved, so there was nothing to cut and paste today. Also, Wuhan Virus? C’mon.
After the declaration of an emergency, the Mayor may in the interest of public safety and welfare make any or all of the following orders and provide the following direction:
(1) Issue such other orders as are imminently necessary for the protection of life and property.
(2) Order a general curfew applicable to such geographical areas of the City or to the City as a whole, as the Mayor deems advisable, and applicable during such hours of the day or night as the Mayor deems necessary in the interest of public safety and welfare.
(3) Order the closing of all retail liquor stores, including taverns and private clubs or portions thereof wherein the consumption of intoxicating liquor and beer is permitted;
(4) Order the discontinuance of the sale of alcoholic liquor by any wholesaler or retailer;
(5) Order the discontinuance of selling, distributing, or giving away gasoline or other
liquid flammable or combustible products in any container other than a gasoline tank properly affixed to a motor vehicle;
(6) Order the discontinuance of selling, distributing, dispensing or giving away of explosives or explosive agents, firearms or ammunition of any character whatsoever;
(7) Order the control, restriction and regulation within the City by rationing, issuing quotas, fixing or freezing prices, allocating the use, sale or distribution of food, fuel, clothing and other commodities, materials, goods or services or the necessities of life;
(8) (a) Order City employees or agents, on behalf of the City, to take possession of any real or personal property of any person, or to acquire full title or such lesser interest as may be necessary to deal with a disaster or emergency, and to take possession of and for a limited time, occupy and use any real estate to accomplish alleviation of the disaster, or the effects thereof;
(b) In the event any real or personal property is utilized by the City, the City shall be liable to the owner thereof for the reasonable value of the use or for just compensation as the case may be.
(9) Order restrictions on ingress or egress to parts of the City to limit the occupancy of any premises;
(10) To make provision for the availability and use of temporary emergency housing;
(11) Temporarily suspend, limit, cancel, convene, reschedule, postpone, continue, or
relocate all meetings of the City Council, and any City committee, commission, board, authority, or other City body as deemed appropriate by the Mayor.
(12) Require closing of business establishments.
(13) Prohibit the sale or distribution within the City of any products which could be
employed in a manner which would constitute a danger to public safety.
(14) Temporarily close any and all streets, alleys, sidewalks, bike paths, public parks or public ways.
(15) Temporarily suspend or modify, for not more than sixty (60) days, any regulation or ordinance of the City, including, but not limited to, those regarding health, safety, and zoning. This period may be extended upon approval of the City Council.
(16) Suspend or limit the use of the water resources or other infrastructure.
(17) Control, restrict, allocate, or regulate the use, sale, production, or distribution of
food, water, fuel, clothing, and/or other commodities, materials, goods, services and resources.
(18) Suspend or limit burning of any items or property with the City limits and up to two (2) miles outside the corporate limits.
(19) Direct and compel the evacuation of all or part of the population from any stricken or threatened areas within the City if the mayor deems this action is necessary for the preservation of life, property, or other disaster or emergency mitigation, response or recovery and to prescribe routes, modes of transportation and destination in connection with an evacuation.
(21) Approve application for local, state, or federal assistance.
(22) Establish and control routes of transportation, ingress or egress.
(23) Control ingress and egress from any designated disaster or emergency area or home,
building or structures located therein.
(24) Approve the transfer the direction, personnel, or functions of City departments and agencies for the purpose of performing or facilitating emergency or disaster services.
(25) Accept services, gifts, grants, loans, equipment, supplies, and/or materials whether from private, nonprofit, or governmental sources.
(26) Require the continuation, termination, disconnection, or suspension of natural gas, electrical power, water, sewer, communication or other public utilities or infrastructure. (27) Close or cancel the use of any municipally owned or operated building or other public facility.
(28) Declare, issue, enforce, modify and terminate orders for quarantine and isolation of persons or animals posing a threat to the public, not conflicting with the directions of the Health Officer of the community.
(29) Exercise such powers and functions in light of the exigencies of emergency or disaster including the waiving of compliance with any time consuming procedures and formalities, including notices, as may be prescribed by law.
(30) Issue any and all such other orders or undertake such other functions and activities as the Mayor reasonably believes is required to protect the health, safety, and welfare of persons or property within the City or otherwise preserve the public peace or abate, clean up, or mitigate the effects of any emergency or disaster.
Whew.
*** UPDATE *** The city was stung hard on social media and has responded…
* One of the wealthiest people in the state just sent out a mass email to Illinois legislators, several of whom forwarded it to me…
From: Liz Uihlein
Date: March 13, 2020 at 12:22:09 PM CDT
Subject: The Media is Overblowing COVID-19
Dear Members of the Illinois Legislature:
There were 1,701 cases in the U.S. of which there were 41 deaths; whereas an overwhelming number of people have been infected with and died from the flu this season.
While you may think the government enforced closing of events, schools, etc. is helping prevent the spread of this infection, you are impacting local, state and national economies and adding unnecessary panic and fear in the American people.
What happens in 2 weeks? Are you willing to indefinitely close institutions? At what point do we go back to our normal lives? This has been a huge disruption.
Sincerely,
Liz Uihlein
President, Uline
Ma’am, we go back to our “normal lives” when this virus is under control. Sorry for the disruption.
* Rep. Jonathan Carroll sent me his response…
Liz,
I guess the professional sports leagues, Broadway Musicals and other gatherings being cancelled or postponed is our fault too? President Trump is about to declare a state of emergency. Is he overreacting?
…Adding… Will Jeanne Ives be getting an angry email soon?…
Given the recent reports about the spread of COVID-19, the campaign has made the decision to keep our Election Night celebration small out of an abundance of caution.
Legislative leaders participated in briefings and conference calls with representatives from the governor’s office and Department of Public Health, among others.
Steve Brown, spokesperson for House Speaker Michael Madigan, D-Chicago, said the situation is “unique.”
“I can’t think of any comparable situation, and managing the Legislature is a different breed of activity than managing a business, a newspaper, what have you,” he said. “We have citizens that come from all over the state to talk about issues they’re concerned about, and you’ve got to balance all of that alongside the public health, public safety, concerns.”
Madigan, Brown added, is handling the status of coronavirus in Illinois on a “day-by-day, step-by-step basis.”
A day after President Donald Trump assured Americans that testing for the coronavirus is “expanding rapidly, day by day,” administration officials admitted Thursday that testing in the United States is lagging badly behind other nations, and they could not say when it will improve.
For Illinois, that means health officials will continue to test only the most seriously ill, or those who have come into contact with those diagnosed with the sometimes fatal disease.
“Here’s what’s happening. We’re not getting enough tests. We’re not getting enough test kits,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday, hours before Trump’s televised address to the nation.
Despite insistent promises from the Trump administration, coronavirus testing in the United States appears to be proceeding with a marked lack of urgency. An examination of state and federal records by Yahoo News finds that American states are, on average, testing fewer than 100 people per day — while the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention had tested fewer than 100 people total in the first two days of this week.
President Donald Trump plans to declare a national emergency on Friday over the coronavirus outbreak, invoking the Stafford Act to open the door to more federal aid for states and municipalities, according to two people familiar with the matter.
A USA TODAY analysis shows that if the nation sees a major spike, there could be almost six seriously ill patients for every existing hospital bed.
That analysis, based on data from the American Hospital Association, U.S. Census, CDC and World Health Organization, is conservative. For example, it assumes all 790,000 beds will be empty.
Since two thirds are not, the reality could be far worse: about 17 people competing for each open bed.
Emphasis added.
* A buddy texted me earlier that Sacred Heart Griffin, a private Catholic school in Springfield, held an all-school pep rally today “for a basketball game that won’t be played.” SHG had advanced to the state finals, but the IHSA canceled the tournament yesterday. I called the school and confirmed that the rally went on as scheduled.
That’s about 600 kids the day after this was decreed in Sangamon County…
The Sangamon County Department of Public Health has issued orders restricting large gatherings in an effort to limit the spread of the coronavirus.
The restrictions will limit indoor events to 250 people or less and outdoor events to 500 people or less starting Saturday. They will be in effect until at least April 14.
If that isn’t peak Springfield, I do not know what is.
…Adding… Oh, so now they’re worried…
Dear SHG Parents/Guardians,
Sacred Heart-Griffin High School is continuing to monitor developments with COVID-19. At the time of this email message there are over 205,000 students in Illinois alone who are out of school as a precautionary measure from various school districts. The situation is escalating at an alarming rate so we will be informing students at SHG today that they need to take home textbooks and any other learning materials they may need in the event that the school would close. As of this moment, we are planning to be open on Monday, March 16, but we want our students prepared in the event that we have to close our doors.
…Adding… And they’re closing…
As a preventative measure, all Catholic schools under the jurisdiction of the Diocese of Springfield in Illinois will be closed the week of March 16. This includes the cancellation of all extra-curricular activities, social events and other school-related gatherings. We’ll offer an update by the end of next week.
Amanda Kass, associate director of the Government Finance Research Center at the University of Illinois at Chicago, said the city’s budget could be impacted by “decreased revenue tied to immediate losses from things like decreased tourism and decreased public transportation ridership.”
“The budgetary impact may go well beyond 2020 as there may be long-term economic consequences from COVID-19,” Kass said. “How big an impact this has on the budget and how many years are impacted depends on how long the public health measures and warnings are in place — the longer it goes on, the greater financial impact.”
Chicago’s pension funds also could see strain, she said, as they rely heavily on investments as a source of assets.
“An economic downturn likely means a decrease in assets, causing an increase in the unfunded liabilities,” Kass said. “The economic impact of COVID-19 may cause a sharp decline in the pension systems’ finances (as happened with the 2008 financial crisis), which would in-turn cause a significant increase in the City’s required pension systems for the police and fire funds immediately.”
* More like this, please. From Rep. Mark Batinick’s Facebook page…
My office is starting a coronavirus helping hands programs. We need volunteers! While the coronavirus does not affect the majority of the population the elderly and those with underlying health conditions are at serious risk. We are strongly encouraging those groups to stay home. If you need to go out for any reason, please contact us to see if we can have one of our interns or volunteers do that for you. We can run to the store, library, etc. Our district is basically far west Will County and Eastern Kendall County. If for some reason we can’t help you we will try to get someone who can. Private message me if you need help or want to volunteer. Our office phone number is 815-254-0000. Thanks All!!!
Chicago public health officials told students from Vaughn Occupational High School that were showing coronavirus-like symptoms they could get tested in a tent outside the school, but a series of missteps left at least one student in limbo for several days. […]
The first problem arose because the student was not on the list of Vaughn students. School district officials have admitted this was an error on their part.
That prevented the student’s mother, who asked not to be identified out of fear of being stigmatized, from being contacted by city officials for days. When she reached out on her own, she said she was not given clear information on where to be tested. Her daughter is 18 years old and has an intellectual disability. She began showing symptoms over the weekend.
It wasn’t until Wednesday that the mother got the message that she could take her daughter to Vaughn to get tested. When she got there Thursday, the onsite testing center was gone. The Chicago Department of Public Health halted its site testing at Vaughn sometime earlier this week.
* We’re going to see lots more of these announcements, like it or not…
In the best interest of our members and the communities they serve, the American Case Management Association is canceling the ACMA 2020 National Case Management and Transitions of Care Conference at McCormick Place in Chicago, scheduled for April 6-9.
All previous media and press invitations have been canceled for this event.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a ban on all large gatherings of 1,000 people or more in Illinois as the number of coronavirus cases in the state continues to rise. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot echoed, saying, “All community events of more than 1,000 people are banned for the next 30 days in the city.” After 30 days, the mayor said the city will “reassess.”
ACMA members consist of nurses, social workers, physicians and other health care professionals affiliated with case management and transitions of care, many of which will be working diligently to support their organizations during the COVID-19 event. ACMA will continue to provide our members with virtual education and advocacy efforts which do not require mass gatherings.
Jon Vickers
Marketing and Communications Manager
American Case Management Association
Vickers said more than 1,500 attendees, exhibitors, sponsors and speakers were expected.
There are 44 million Americans without health insurance and another 38 million with inadequate coverage. The COVID-19 test can cost anywhere from $900 to $3,000. This only covers the test, this does not include the cost of being treated if you test positive for the virus.
A memo circulated by Democrat Joe Biden’s presidential campaign said campaign staffers would be working from home and that voter outreach would be limited to phone-banking, texting and “virtual” events like a video town hall Biden has set for Illinois supporters on Friday.
The more traditional style of campaigning by going door to door to solicit voter support — dubbed parochially as a “precinct captain” kind of campaign — appeared to no longer be in the Biden campaign playbook in Illinois because of worries over COVID-19.
Biden’s rival, Sen. Bernie Sanders, of Vermont, took similar steps Thursday, vowing an end to door-to-door canvassing.
The epidemic is also affecting institutions close to Pritzker’s own life. A Pritzker spokeswoman said “at least one” of the governor’s two children attends Francis W. Parker School, a private school in Chicago that WBEZ reported is closing its doors for two weeks. The governor was asked what his message is to parents who might not want to have their kids go to school.
“Well you’ve got to make decisions for your own family. There’s no doubt about that, but I would say that remember the guidance that’s been given by experts is large gatherings should be prohibited,” Pritzker said. “And so we’ve done that. We’ve suggested to schools all across the state. We’ve told them not to have major assemblies of their students. It’s OK to be in a classroom.”
Shedd Aquarium, one of Chicago’s leading attractions, will close for at least two weeks beginning Friday afternoon “in support of city and statewide preventative measures to limit the additional spread and transmission of the novel coronavirus,” the institution announced Friday morning. […]
Evanston-Skokie District 65 buildings are closing effective Monday, while Oak Park District 65 was closed Friday and moving to online instruction started Monday. Evanston Township High School students were scheduled to be in the school Friday, with a day off Monday and online instruction starting Tuesday, according to the district. Many south suburban public schools were restricting student activities because of coronavirus concerns, while Stevenson High School in Lincolnshire, which serves more than 13 communities in the North Shore and northwest suburbs, has closed and is offering online classes. […]
Lincoln Park Zoo is closing its doors temporarily, and halting all events and programs taking place there until April 10, amid concerns about the coronavirus, according to the zoo.
The new measures will drastically alter Chicagoans’ social and cultural lives at the very moment they could most use some distractions. Most major sporting events, concerts and rallies shut down just as spring arrives. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said he has asked professional sports teams “to cancel all of their games or play without spectators until May 1,” and they’ve agreed.
* Southern Illinois schools weigh options amid COVID-19 pandemic: “This is like snow days on steroids,” Donkin said. He said it’s not just a question of how much of summer break this could eat into, but also a question of childcare. Donkin said the decision to cancel school, even for one snow day, isn’t always easy because he knows the impact it can have on families. Not everyone has the fortune of having paid sick leave, and the decision to stay home with a child who doesn’t have school could lead to financial hardship.
* Treasurer Pappas closes office at noon today to safeguard health of taxpayers and employees: “We have not had a case of the coronavirus in our office and I want to keep it that way,” Pappas said. “While it is of surpassing importance to protect our employees and visitors to the building from this virus, it is important to continue serving taxpayers.”
Good evening! I was handing out some literature in front of Glenview Townhall (Northern suburban Cook County) and I had the pleasure of standing semi-near this guy.
He’s a paid worker for Epstein that has been harassing other Democratic candidates, lying about endorsements, trashing the party, harassing voters, getting really belligerent with me and other volunteers. He ignored multiple calls from the Election Judges to stay on the right side of the line, and stop harassing people on their way in. Real class act.
I took these photos, and you have permission to use them if you like. Thought you might be interested.
Thanks, and keep up the great work!
Daniel Epstein is a Democratic candidate for Illinois Supreme Court.
* I edited out the person’s face…
* Epstein campaign manager Bobby Burns…
Thanks for sharing. We’re handling it. We work hard to make sure everyone on this campaign follows the rules and this won’t be an exception.
All’s well that ends well, I suppose.
…Adding… Heh…
ELECTION DAY VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
We are looking for volunteers to poll pass on Election Day –
Tuesday, March 17!
Volunteers on the ground have made a difference during early voting and we need to continue the momentum on Tuesday. Click here to sign up for a shift.
*If you have the day off, we are especially in need of people who can sign up for a full day/multiple shifts!*
Thank you for being in this with us until the end.
- Team Epstein
I’m hearing that the price of election day poll workers has doubled for campaigns.
Friday, Mar 13, 2020 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
In addition to supporting the state’s economy with more than 246,000 jobs across Illinois, biopharmaceutical innovators support policies to help ensure Illinoisans can afford and access their medicines. Our companies are committed to being part of the solution and support commonsense measures to lower what patients are paying at the pharmacy counter. We also want to serve as a resource for people who may be struggling by providing resources they can use now while legislators work toward addressing growing health care costs.
PhRMA’s Medicine Assistance Tool (MAT) is a free online platform that connects eligible patients and caregivers with information about 900+ public and private assistance programs designed to help them afford their medicines. Visit mat.org to see what help might be available.
Based on everything that you have seen, read or heard about Coronavirus, how concerned are you about contracting Coronavirus?
Very 28
Somewhat 40
Unsure 10
Somewhat not concerned 14.5
Not concerned 7
Now, this may not mean much or anything at all, but of those Democrats who said they were very concerned, 71 percent said they were voting for Joe Biden next Tuesday. And of that same group of very concerned folks, 61 percent said Biden had the better health care policy.
Due to the prevalence of COVID-19 (coronavirus) in the greater Chicago area, the Archdiocese of Chicago is announcing a system-wide closure of Catholic schools, effective Monday, March 16. This decision applies to all Catholic schools in Cook and Lake Counties operated by the Archdiocese of Chicago. Catholic schools not operated by the archdiocese, such as those governed by religious orders, will make decisions individually.
This decision extends to all regular operations of our Catholic schools, including all extra-curricular activities, social events and other school-related gatherings.
At this time, we have not determined how long this closure will last. We are in close communication with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and other agencies managing the public health response to the COVID-19 epidemic. We will make an announcement when we have determined a date to reopen.
We will perform extra cleaning of our facilities while school is not in session.
During this closure period, Catholic school students will be asked to complete academic work through electronic learning (“e-learning”) or alternative learning. You should expect communication from your school’s principal on how e-learning or alternative learning will take place.
I encourage you to continue to pray for God’s grace throughout this time of uncertainty. Let us pray for the health and wellbeing of our Catholic school community and all our brothers and sisters affected by the epidemic.
Yours in Christ,
Jim Rigg, Ph.D.
Superintendent of Catholic Schools
Archdiocese of Chicago
Catholic churches in the Chicago Catholic Archdiocese will stop holding masses starting this weekend and is closing its schools as a precaution to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
Cardinal Blase Cupich announced that mass will be suspended in all churches starting Saturday evening, but the churches will remain open for those seeking private prayer. Cupich encouraged parishes with the capability to broadcast their mass online to do so.
Bond prices and stock prices have moved together, not in opposite directions as they usually do. On a day when major economic disruptions resulting from the coronavirus pandemic appeared to become likelier — which might be expected to make typical market safe havens more popular — many of them fell instead Wednesday. That included bonds of all sorts and gold.
And there were reports from trading desks that many assets that are normally liquid — easy to buy and sell — were freezing up, with securities not trading widely. This was true of the bonds issued by municipalities and major corporations but, more curiously, also of Treasury bonds, normally the bedrock of the global financial system.
People, it is fair to say, are worried about bond market liquidity.
Any one of these moves on its own wouldn’t really matter. Markets can move for all kinds of reasons, most of which affect only the investors and traders involved. But these types of swings give experienced financial market watchers a sinking feeling, the kind last felt widely during the global financial crisis when all kinds of obscure financial markets went haywire.
Municipal bond market participants are calling the COVID-19-led sell-off worse for the market than the aftermath of September 11th and the 2008 financial crisis combined.
The sell-off continued in the municipal market Thursday, with AAA benchmarks down by more than a half percentage point. The primary market was held at a standstill. Lipper reported more than $1.76 billion of outflows Thursday.
What is transpiring has career-long veterans of the space saying the muni market has been put in a position they’ve never seen before.
Participants don’t have room to breathe in this rapidly changing landscape and investment grade munis are suffering, being dragged down by the overall panicking in the market, with several noting that this is a liquidity-driven crisis.
“There is forced selling, impossible hedging and a pandemic,” said one Southern trader. “Uncertainty is breeding uncertainty and as usual, the bond market solution to these problems is much higher yields. This is the craziest market that I have seen — way different and way worse than 2008.”
First of all there are extremely good reasons why public authorities are resisting closing schools. The most obvious is simply disrupting kids’ educations. In a city like New York there is a substantial population of students who rely on the schools for meals and other social services. Particularly for younger children numerous parents have no way to cope with school closures other than not going to work when they cannot afford even very short periods not making an income. Besides the individual impact, this has immediate and intense knock on effects through the economy when big chunks of the workforce are removed from the economy. Then there is the fact that many health care workers have young children. New York and any locality now is desperately in need of all health care workers being on the job.
One final point that is a key issue now in New York City is that many children don’t have the resources (computers and internet connectivity) to do remote learning, even if you deal with all those other issues.
Across the board the most acute impacts are on the working class, the poor and the most marginalized. The reasons for not closing the schools are immense. But we are in the midst of a global epidemic with immense potential for loss of life.
Let me make one thing clear. I’m not worried about my children in this or really anyone else’s children, other than children with chronic illnesses who have particular vulnerabilities. Kids themselves seem to face very little threat from this. But they are vectors of contagion. That seems pretty clear at this point (there’s a lot of science now that kids do get infected they just suffer mild versions of the disease). I say this because I don’t think I’m being overly driven by any parents normal concern about their children’s welfare. I’m worried about the impact on the whole city. And this applies the same for every other part of the country. It’s not really the kids. It’s who they infect. […]
With all this, though, having watched the [New York City] government closely, both as a journalist and a resident, I increasingly think they are approaching the question in the wrong way: focusing on the immense costs of a shutdown as that fixed point and not focusing nearly enough on schools as key vectors of disease spread. These have to be balanced. I’m not sure they are to an adequate degree.
[Houston Independent School District] officials announced Thursday that classes will be canceled through March 30, while nearly all of the Houston area’s largest school districts declared they are closing through at least next week, amid concerns about the spread of the new coronavirus.
Ohio, Maryland and the large urban school districts of Seattle and San Francisco are shutting down all K-12 schools as part of a sweeping attempt to contain the spread of the coronavirus.
The actions are the first wave of widespread school closures in the U.S., and they stand to upend school and family routines for millions of children.
The Sacramento City Unified School District will be temporarily closing all schools from Monday through Wednesday to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. The schools will be closed to thoroughly disinfect all classrooms, district officials said Thursday.
All schools in the West Contra Costa Unified School District will close for three weeks beginning Monday out of concerns about coronavirus, Superintendent Matthew Duffy announced Thursday.
While Contra Costa County Health Services officials say there are no confirmed cases of students or staff testing positive for the virus at any of the district’s schools, several students and district employees have had contact with people who potentially contracted the disease, according to a district news release.
The coronavirus hit the region with its hardest punch yet Thursday, as Montgomery County schools were ordered to shut down for two weeks, and a cascade of closures took out venues such as the Wells Fargo Center and the Kimmel Center, canceling events from Philadelphia Orchestra concerts to 76ers and Flyers games.
The action in Montgomery County, which advised residents to avoid non-essential travel and not report to work, had the unintended effect of forcing the closure Friday of 63 of Philadelphia’s 200-plus schools. Many Philadelphia schoolteachers live in Montgomery County and won’t be able to go to work, the School District announced late Thursday night.
All New Mexico Public schools will be closed for three weeks, starting Monday, March 16 amid growing concerns about the coronavirus, according to Public Education Department.
The L.A. teachers union is calling on the nation’s second-largest school district to close all its schools as quickly as possible to combat the coronavirus outbreak. […]
The school system has resisted shutting down campuses so far but is preparing for that step. No case of the virus has been linked to an L.A. public school at this time.
There’s lots more. The point is that Illinois has 32 confirmed cases. What should we do?
*** UPDATE *** The governor and the mayor need to start listening…
We are calling on Chicago's mayor and Chicago Public Schools to follow the leadership of the governor and school districts across the country and immediately close all traditional public, charter and contract schools in the city of Chicago. #COVID19#coronavirus
According to a WGN-TV/Emerson College poll, Joe Biden is the front runner in Illinois. By a wide-margin voters support Biden over Bernie Sanders. According to the poll, 56.6% of Illinois voters choose Biden, 36.2% support Sanders. […]
In terms of the Cook County State’s Attorney race, the incumbent Kim Foxx came out on top.
Kim Foxx 36.3%
Bill Conway 20.3%
Donna More 4.8%
Bob Fioretti 4.3%
34.2% said they remain undecided
Voters were also asked if they approve or disapprove of Trump’s pardoning of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
71.8% of voters disapprove
28.2% approve.
Maybe the Chicago TV stations will now stop lionizing the disgraced former governor. More results at the link.
…Adding… As somebody pointed out, the undecideds in the state’s attorney race are quite large. Plenty of room for movement, but we’ll see. The spread is definitely big. I would love to see the xtabs to see who is still making up their minds.
…Adding More… The crosstabs are actually online. Click here. 40 percent of white voters, who are pretty much evenly split in this poll between Foxx and Conway, are still undecided. And 32 percent of black voters, who are with Foxx over Conway 59-4, are undecided. About a third of both men and women are undecided, and Foxx leads Conway by 5 points among men and 25 points among women. Just 16 percent of voters 65+ are undecided and Foxx leads Conway by 31 points. 30 percent of voters aged 50-64 are undecided and Foxx leads by 30.
* The governor moved his daily COVID-19 press conference to 5 pm today. Chicago TV stations are airing the event live. Click here for the live feed.
The governor said he’s asked sports team owners to cancel all games or play without spectators until May 1. “All of the owners that I spoke with told me that they completely understood and were more than willing to comply with this guidance.”
* Remember that I use Otter for quick transcriptions, so some typos will appear. More…
I’m asking that all community events that organizers expect will attract 250, or more people be canceled, or postponed until May 1. This includes personal and social events. I’m mandating that events of 1000 or more people be canceled, or postponed immediately.
I do not want to waste precious resources monitoring event cancellations. So I’m appealing to the Civic patriotic and humanitarian character of the residents of Illinois to act on this guidance immediately without any need for official state action.
Even for events that will attract crowds less than 250 people. It is critically important that organizers, think about who is likely to attend. And if likely attendees include individuals in vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, or those who are immunosuppressed, please consider canceling.
* Schools…
With regard to schools here in Chicago and around the state. The mayor will speak to guidance for CPS students and teachers. We are not closing our schools, but we are monitoring the situation on a day to day basis.
…Adding… From the governor’s press secretary…
We obviously are cognizant of the fact that students rely on schools for safety and food. So just shutting them down is not the best option for a lot of students
* JRTC…
I am also announcing tonight, that I am closing the James R Thompson center to people who do not have business with the state effective Monday. The JRTC houses many employees who perform essential functions for the state, and I need to take this extraordinary measure to make sure that they can continue to do their jobs during this challenging time.
* Private companies…
I am also asking every private business to have employees work remotely. And fortunately many can consider making the decision to do so immediately. Those businesses that cannot easily have employees work remotely need to think through plans to promote social distancing at work.
* Election…
I also want to make clear that the election will proceed forward on Tuesday. I’m encouraging all local election authorities to expand the hours of early voting every day until Election Day. […]
For those of you who plan to vote on election day. Please know that local clerks and boards of election are working diligently to ensure that polls operate smoothly and safely, the Illinois Department of Public Health issued a guidance, specifically for polling places to make sure that election judges volunteers and voters are healthy and safe. Free and Open elections are the structural support of our democracy. One of the most important duties that I have as governor is to do everything in my power to make sure elections proceed forward as planned.
* To skeptics…
I know that some people will ask whether these measures are necessary in counties and cities that have seen very few or no positive Corona virus cases, we have seen what works and what doesn’t work from other countries around the world, especially in the earliest days of community spread of this virus. Don’t be fooled into thinking that your community is immune. I’m not going to hesitate to take the most aggressive measures possible to protect the people of our state.
* To the media…
Finally, I want to make an appeal directly to the press, and to our public and our private institutions around the state. Please. Please do not report or act on unconfirmed reports that may be grinding the rumor mill. The work involved in issuing clear and direct guidelines on a day to day basis when new information comes in, literally, by the minute is time consuming and requires consultation with many stakeholders and partners. We are committed to getting it right every step of the way. We established these daily briefings so that the press and the public could get clear and reliable information directly from us.
* To the public…
I wish I could tell you that going about your everyday lives with no adjustments was the best course of action right now. It is not and I owe you honesty. We need to reduce social contact in order to try and control the spread of the virus and prevent our medical infrastructure from dealing with too many cases at one time. We all have responsibilities to the most vulnerable among us, and that means making sacrifices in the immediate term.
We also have responsibilities to the healthcare workers and first responders who rush into danger for us every day. If we can do something to make their jobs easier we owe it to them to do it. I know that for so many people, these sacrifices are difficult. I know that people’s lives and livelihoods are going to be affected in the coming weeks. This state has an incredible group of civic minded communities and leaders. I am asking all of you to find a way to ask your neighbors, and your friends and your family, to help.
I’m appealing to your creativity and your generosity and the deep empathy that runs through every corner of this state, find a way to be a helper.
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the news coming at you right now, but the people of this state are an audacious and fearless bunch. Our public institutions are among the best in the country. We have the knowledge, the resources and the talented people to deal with each new challenge that comes our way. A few weeks ago I gave a state of the state address, and I told you that what you want, that when you want to solve problems you focus on the next important thing that needs to get done. That is what all of us are doing. That is what we will continue to do. And that is what you can do to.
And together we’ll find a way to the other side.
* Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot spoke next…
Community events that have more than 1000 people are banned for the next 30 days in the city of Chicago. Period.
Planned events or community events mean planned events that bring together large numbers of people. We’re not talking about airports, train stations, public transit or schools, but we do mean conferences banquets, concerts, and such.
* CPS…
At this time, CPS will remain open.
Now, we would never put our children in danger. And I say that as mayor but also as a mother. At this time CPS will however begin scaling back large scale events, issuing guidance to all school personnel in advance of spring break, instituting a mandatory policy on short term closers for any schools with confirmed cases and ensuring parents and loved ones are frequently updated and CPS will be issuing a specific set of guidance today to the school community.
* Comcast…
I’m proud to announce that effective Monday, Comcast will be nearly doubling internet speeds for low income households nationally. This came after a request from my team here in Chicago to ensure that residents and families who are increasingly encouraged to remain at home, will have access to vital internet service, Comcast will also be providing 60 free days of internet to any low income household starting this coming Monday via their internet essentials program. I’d like to thank Comcast for their leadership and being good corporate citizens, and you are going to see my administration rollout more initiatives to assist our businesses and residents in the coming days.
* Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle…
Today I issued multiple executive orders that will require an include the following meetings of the various boards commissions and advisory boards, created by Cook County ordinance, or resolution will be cancelled, to the extent possible in the month of March and April.
If cancellation is not possible. The meeting agendas should be limited to matters that require immediate action by the relevant board commission or advisory body.
All committee, and subcommittee meetings of the Cook County Board of Commissioners except the finance committee will be canceled for the month of March.
The March 26 Cook County Board of Commissioners meeting, and its agenda will proceed but be limited in scope.
* Election day…
Tuesday is Election Day. Our Cook County Clerk, and the Chicago Board of Elections teams are working very hard to ensure that polling places are clean, safe and secure. Voting is our civic duty. And we should all vote. I encourage you to vote early. If you’re concerned about crowds at the polls.
* Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health…
There are seven more individuals in Illinois who have tested positive for the corona virus disease. There are two additional cases in Chicago. A woman in her 40s, and a child.
There is also a new case in Kane County. A gentleman in his 70s, and the case in McHenry County, a gentleman in his 60s.
There are also three new cases in Cook County to women in their 70s, and the gentleman in his 50s, we are investigating the travel history of these individuals, any potential contacts with known cases, public health officials from their respective jurisdictions will identify and contact all people who are considered close contacts of these identified cases.
While older adults appear to be suffering more severe illness, the young child in Chicago is a reminder that anyone can be infected with this virus. Again, each new case involves monitoring and following up with the individual, so that we can ensure that they receive the health care that they need.
But it also means from that one case that dozens, if not hundreds of additional close contacts will need to be identified contacted and have their information gathered, and be monitored. […]
So while you may not have a case in your community now, we anticipate that there will be.
* Back to Lightfoot on not closing schools…
We don’t see a reason at this point to shut down the schools. But keep in mind when you think about shutting down the schools, and particularly with respect to CPS, that has a lot of potential cascading effects. A substantial percentage of our students depend upon the schools for eating. They depend upon the schools for shelter, and in some instances, for where they get the clothing and other needs. So it’s a very big deal to say that we would be shutting down schools. We are not there yet. Obviously, we’re putting a public safety and public health, first and foremost. Should there be a reason for us to do that we will, we won’t hesitate to do that, but we are not there yet based upon the current public health data
The Illinois primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17. We have received no direction from the City or CPS about the school district’s plan to keep students and educators safe from the spread of COVID-19, nor have we received information on plans regarding the care of medically fragile individuals. We believe there are more than 540 separate polling locations in Chicago schools. Given the serious health risks this situation represents, the Chicago Teachers Union hereby demands that schools be closed on March 17, and that CPS schedules overnight deep cleaning at each school that serves as a polling place starting on March 17.
Thursday, Mar 12, 2020 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
In addition to supporting the state’s economy with more than 246,000 jobs across Illinois, biopharmaceutical innovators support policies to help ensure Illinoisans can afford and access their medicines. Our companies are committed to being part of the solution and support commonsense measures to lower what patients are paying at the pharmacy counter. We also want to serve as a resource for people who may be struggling by providing resources they can use now while legislators work toward addressing growing health care costs.
PhRMA’s Medicine Assistance Tool (MAT) is a free online platform that connects eligible patients and caregivers with information about 900+ public and private assistance programs designed to help them afford their medicines. Visit mat.org to see what help might be available.
* Lots of rumors are floating around this afternoon, particularly in the wake of the Ohio governor closing all public schools. So this Illinois Association of School Administrators bulletin is interesting…
Illinois School District Superintendents,
This message is written in a moment like none of us have ever experienced. According to the World Health Organization, we are in a pandemic due to the COVID-19 spread across the globe. That in and of itself is a daunting statement that strikes fear into most people. However, while some start to panic, we, as school leaders have to “settle” to the challenge coming straight at us all. And in “settling,” we have to prepare, organize, and rise to the occasion to meet and manage this health crisis. There is some history regarding how to manage this going back to 1918 when comparing the ways in which Philadelphia and St. Louis reacted to disease spread. You can Google that and read the analysis. Opinion varies widely regarding school closure or not: Singapore, Japan, and Washington State.
When it comes to public schools, we are in a unique situation. We have community safety to consider, which involves our students and staff. As I write, students are going largely unaffected but, of course, that could have changed overnight or may change as more testing becomes available. The concern is mostly what is termed as “community spread.” Primarily mitigating the spread of the COVID-19 virus is the medical goal while recognizing that a spread is going to happen, but stretching that spread out over a longer period of time will allow our medical systems and providers the ability to respond rather than be swamped by a tsunami of cases. This is called flattening the curve.
As you consider your local situation, I would strongly urge you to collaborate and coordinate with community/county leaders – especially the county health departments which will receive guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). Just to be clear, decisions to close school districts will remain at the local level in consultation with your local public health department and IDPH, at this point in time. Neither the governor nor the Illinois State Board of Education will be making these decisions. It will remain at the local level.
Meanwhile, work is being done by ISBE to ascertain what flexibilities can be provided around federal mandates, etc. Focus on what makes sense for your community and kids – safe environment, sanitary supplies and access to food and healthcare. E-Learning may not be a cure-all in every district; so keep that in mind. This is an emergency and well-reasoned decisions will be treated as such when the dust eventually settles.
I can attest that the ISBE, IDPH, Terrorism Task Force, Governor Pritzker and his team are doing everything in their power to manage a rapidly developing situation. IASA has and will continue to partner with them and will update information and guidance to you as required. Below is updated guidance and actionable items for you to review.
* Wall Street has been slammed over the past couple of weeks, so I asked Dave Urbanek at the Teachers Retirement System how its portfolio was holding up…
Because the situation has been so volatile, we’re going to wait for a few weeks to see how things shake out before making a conclusion or releasing statistics. We monitor things daily, of course, but our real focus is long-term, not day-by-day or week-to-week. At the end of calendar 2019, our return was a positive 13.4 percent. Our 40-year return is 9.16 percent.
We started 2020 with $54 billion in assets – which is a record high for TRS. And for the last several years, the Board of Trustees and the investment staff have structured the portfolio in a “defensive posture” because of our low funded status.
We have recognized that any severe economic downturn could be bad for us – we have no “reserves” to fall back on. So when deciding how to invest assets, we’ve regularly performed “stress tests” on the portfolio – “what will things look like if X happens” – to help us form the defensive posture. The over-arching goal has been to preserve assets and lower risk as much as possible while making as much money as we can. For instance, we only have 36 percent of the portfolio in stocks, both in the U.S. and internationally. We have 27 percent in bonds, 15 percent in real estate, 11 percent in private equity and about 10 percent in hedge funds and other “diversifying strategies.”
Thursday, Mar 12, 2020 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
More than 100,000 people in the U.S. are awaiting a kidney transplant. In Illinois, the waiting list stands at approximately 3,500. Yet in 2018, only 25% of Illinoisans awaiting a kidney transplant received one. That’s one reason health professionals, advocates, businesses, and community organizations from across the state came together to form the Illinois Kidney Care Alliance (IKCA).
A severe shortage of donated kidneys, financial issues, and a lack of health insurance are only some of the barriers faced by people who need transplants. Kidney failure is a physical, emotional, and financial burden and is especially prevalent in minority communities.
IKCA helps advocate for those who suffer from kidney failure and their families. For more information about our efforts in Illinois, visit our website.
This is huge: Ohio Health Dept. Director Amy Acton is saying that evidence of community spread indicates that 1% of Ohioans are currently carrying coronavirus. That's *117,000* people.
Key: members were floored as they learned that roughly just 11,000 Coronavirus tests TOTAL have been conducted compared to the fact that in South Korea, 10,000 tests are conducted A DAY. https://t.co/vupSFuFevl
* Appointed House member involved in a super-hot Democratic primary race…
Due to pervasive gun violence coupled with schools lacking comprehensive programming to support students whom have experienced trauma, state Rep. Jonathan “Yoni” Pizer, D-Chicago, is sponsoring legislation that would fund such programs through a tax on ammunition sales.
“With growing concern that local schools do not have the funds needed to address the mental health needs of students, we must look at all funding options to empower them with the necessary resources,” Pizer said. “By working with education professionals on the ground, we’re putting forward legislation that will ensure schools develop trauma-informed support systems by taxing the root of the trauma.”
Pizer’s House Bill 5651 would add a $0.02 surcharge on each bullet sold and the revenue will go to the Safe Schools and Healthy Learning Environments Grant. This grant program enables schools to develop restorative interventions and resolution strategies that emotionally, psychologically and socially support the needs of students, rather focusing solely on disciplinary measures. This bill is supported by the National Association of Social Workers (NASW), a group who represents social workers located in many setting, including schools.
“Our members are seeing an increase in trauma-related issues, particularly when it comes to youth in school settings,” Kyle Hillman of NASW said. “Gun violence is too prevalent in our communities yet mental health assistance for children exposed to this violence is not adequate. We cannot expect our children to learn when we are not taking the steps to address their emotional and psychological needs. Rep. Pizer’s bill which would bring more social workers into our schools, increase restorative justice programs and positive interventions as a much needed step toward acquiring funding to support and heal our youth.”
State Senator Steve Stadelman (D-Rockford) is taking action to ensure that local journalism survives in Illinois’ small towns and mid-sized cities.
“As a former journalist and news anchor, I know how important it is to have access to truly local news,” Stadelman said. “People deserve to know what’s happening in their communities, regardless of where they live.”
Senate Bill 3457 would create the Local Journalism Task Force, which would be made up of 10 individuals representing print and broadcast media, journalism schools, and state and local government. They would be charged with conducting a study on communities underserved by local journalism and making recommendations on how to preserve and restore news coverage in these areas.
“Your address should not dictate the quality and type of information you have access to,” Stadelman said. “This measure is meant to start a conversation and provide new ideas to help address shrinking press coverage in local communities.”
Declines in advertising revenue and circulation have meant that nearly half of the newsroom jobs at newspapers that existed in 2004 have since disappeared—and more than 2,000 thousand papers around the country have closed over the past 15 years.
If passed, the task force would be required to submit the findings from its study to the governor’s office, as well as the General Assembly, no later than January 1, 2022.
Illinois politicians would be allowed to use campaign money to pay for child care under legislation being considered in the General Assembly.
The proposal would apply to candidates, officeholders, campaign staff, and volunteers, and would allow campaign money to be spent on child care, as long as the care is necessary for the official to do political, governmental or public policy work.
The legislation came out of the Anti-Harassment, Equality, and Access Panel, which was formed in the wake of #MeToo revelations in and around Illinois government.
State Sen. Melinda Bush, a Democrat from Grayslake, said people told the panel that childcare expenses were preventing them from getting involved in politics.
“Women didn’t run for office many times because they have childcare expenses and were not able to cover those expenses,” Bush said when the measure was debated in the Senate late last month.
Carolyn Schofield, a GOP primary challenger to incumbent IL State Rep Allen Skillicorn (R-East Dundee), evaded a question from 66th District Republican voters, refusing to declare whether she holds pro-life or pro-choice views, according to a video taken during the discussion.
The question from a Dundee Township Republican was, “Do you consider yourself pro-life?”
“I don’t consider myself either, because I am more policy-driven,” Schofield said.
“You have to be one of the other,” another person said. […]
“Abortion is a big issue to voters, and they deserve to know where legislative candidates stand,” Skillicorn said. “Unfortunately, my opponent won’t commit to one position. She can’t have it both ways. The voters deserve to know where she stands on one of the most important issues of our time.”
* Schofield posted a super-long statement on Facebook…
Since many people have recently asked me my stance on abortion I wanted to post it here. I have not used specific verbiage because people are varied in what the words mean to them and I have witnessed first hand legislators use the opposite wording to describe the same position. I feel this is insincere and misleading. This is a topic worthy of heartfelt conversation and not a quick demanding response. I am not posting to spark controversy but to clarify the many lies that have been spread about my position on this issue. I sent a similar message in my questionnaire to the pro life pac. Instead of reading the first line and saying you are not this or you are not that, please read as this is a sincere and truthful response.
I will explain to you my position and you can put me in the category that you think fits. You will see why I am challenged when asked the question as I have thought at length about this issue. As a woman and a mother it is extremely personal and heartfelt of an issue for me. So here you go…
First of all Roe vs Wade is settled law.
Personally I am pro-life. I have 3 children, both planned and unplanned. They are a blessing, the center of my world, and I thank God every day for them. That being said, I could not imagine telling a parent whose young daughter has been raped what they should do. I would hope that the government would stay out of those decisions and let medical professionals and parents make those decisions.
I support parental consent. I oppose state funded abortions and I would support the repeal of the Reproductive Health Act.
As an engineer my brain works to solve problems and this is no different. I do not want to give a two word answer I want to propose a solution.
I think the core issue is stopping abortion all together. In Illinois we had over 40,000 abortions in the latest statistic. That is mind blowing yet no one is talking about this, as they get so caught up in a two word answers. Why are people having abortions and how do we make the other options so acceptable that it is no longer a choice they want to make. What we really should be doing is making it easier and more affordable to adopt and more supportive for single and working women to be pregnant and have young children. Instead of saying to someone “I can’t believe you could give your baby up,” why don’t we say “that takes a lot of courage and selflessness. You are going to be giving the best gift anyone can give to a family”. As a woman running for office people have said to me that I should be home with my kids and not going to Springfield. Why is that? My kids have a wonderful father that can provide for them in my absence. I have put my career on hold for 15 years to give to them and my community and have found a balance that works for my family, yet people feel the need to pass judgement. I feel I am a role model to my daughter and an example for my sons of what support they can offer to their future wives. Mothers offer amazing perspective, experience, leadership, and organizational skills. We should be embracing them at every level yet we judge them. We judge on how they parent, why they parent, why the don’t parent, etc. We make it difficult for women to achieve acceptable balance.
Beyond that we need to look at why are people getting pregnant and not wanting the pregnancy. Do we need more education on birth control, Sex Ed, more substance abuse programs, mental health, etc. What is the root cause? We need to find out and that is what we should be addressing and creating policy to support. That way people will no longer have unwanted pregnancies and this question will be mute.
So put me in any category you would like but I have spent a lot of time and energy and thinking through how we can actually solve this problem. I will not let someone wanting to put two words on me, or a spliced 20 second video clip, discourage what I believe is the right thing to do. I know this is not the quick two words people want, but it is the truth. I think many politicians state whatever two words people want to hear and never have to be held accountable. That solves nothing. Is that really what people want? I want to actually solve the problem that over 40,000 abortions a year are performed in Illinois alone. No matter what side you are on, I will listen to you, work with, and try to solve the core issue of stopping abortions all together. That should not be a partisan issue.
“The safety and wellbeing of employees is the top priority for the Illinois Department of Central Management Services,” spokesperson Marjani Williams said. “CMS is currently working to update the State’s Work from Home policy to ensure that all State agency functions continue working seamlessly in the event that employees can no longer report to their normal work facility.”
The Pritzker administration has been negotiating with AFSCME Council 31, which represents approximately 80,000 state workers in Illinois, regarding the state’s policies surrounding working from home and other COVID-19 responses. But asked about the status of such negotiations Wednesday, Pritzker was brief.
“We’ve had conversations with them and they’re ongoing,” the governor said.
A spokesperson for AFSCME did not return an email or call requesting comment on Wednesday.
Another large state agency — the Department of Human Services — told The Daily Line that the agency already has policies in place for working from home.
“We have a flexible work schedule, telework and sick leave policies,” DHS spokesperson Meghan Powerssaid. “We’re currently consulting with the Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Central Management Services and having discussions with our public employee unions to determine if we will need to modify them in light of COVID-19.”
The feedback I’ve been receiving from state workers about their agencies has not been great. And AFSCME doesn’t even have any COVID-19 information on its website.
Your own experiences so far?
…Adding… AFSCME has now posted a COVID-19 information page. Click here.
*** UPDATE *** Anders Lindall at AFSCME…
I saw your post and wanted to add some context to all we have been doing on this issue. In addition to meeting with state agencies and CMS, we have been in discussions—dating back more than a month, in some cases—with the 200+ other employers of AFSCME members (cities, counties, school districts, universities, not-for-profit agencies and more) throughout Illinois. We have been working to develop policies that protect employees—whether they deal with the public, work in offices, the field or in 24/7 facilities such as veterans’ homes or nursing homes, residential programs for people with disabilities, prisons or jails—as well as those they serve. Obviously these needs are wide-ranging and this issue is fast-moving. At the same time we’ve made sure that local union leaders of our nearly 300 AFSCME local unions have up-to-date information, drawing on the best resources from our national union, and used social media, email and, as you noted today, our website to keep our rank-and-file membership informed.
* The General Assembly has canceled a week of session, the statehouse is now off-limits to large crowds, the IHSA is limiting the number of event attendees, universities all over the state have extended spring breaks and are moving classes online and numerous towns have canceled their St. Patrick’s Day parades.
The [St. Patrick’s Day] parade starts at Jefferson and Sixth streets with the traditional cannon shot and will have over 100 entries, said Shawn Mayernick of the parade board president. Its theme is “Irish Eyes Are Smiling Down.”
Parade committee members in Springfield huddled Wednesday to make everyone was on the same page, Mayernick said. A joint statement from parade organizers and the city of Springfield pointed out that “multiple activities with large crowds occur in our city each day.
“Right now, each event and venue is operating sensibly and cautiously while individuals assess their own decisions on their participation.”
It’s not just a parade. There’s a huge party before it starts.
Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder said the public health department will make the decision whether to start canceling events in Springfield and the city will comply if told to do so.
For now, Langfelder said it is all about hygiene and prevention.
“As far as day-to-day activities, it is stated that you should be cautious and use good hygiene,” Langfelder said. “I think people are more cautious. I know for myself, I wash my hands more frequently.”
Shawn Mayernick, president of the parade committee, sounded confident during an interview. “We’re definitely confirmed,” he said, “We would cancel if there was lightning or tornado.”
Asked whether people older than 60 or those with health conditions — including diabetes, immune deficiencies, respiratory conditions or heart disease — that experts say increase vulnerability should attend the parade, Mayernick said he’s not an expert, but volunteer organizers care about the community. “We don’t dismiss all this stuff with health and safety,” he said. “We are a very caring and concerned group of people that enjoy getting together.”
Gail O’Neill, director of the Sangamon County Health Department, said that neither the city nor parade organizers directly consulted her before announcing the parade will go on. And she left room for cancellation – public health authorities, she said, can step in if they believe an event poses an unacceptable risk. She noted that there have been no confirmed coronavirus cases in central Illinois.
“We’re still pretty sure the parade can go on,” O’Neill said. “We don’t have any cases here yet. … It’s a decision that’s day-to-day, pretty much. It’s kind of a decision we make with our medical experts.”
How does O’Neill know there are no cases yet without any real testing?
Remember the mayor in Jaws who refused to close the beach because of a big July 4th holiday? Yeah. Don’t be that guy.
I’m told Gov. Pritzker reached out to Mayor Langfelder today. Hopefully, the governor talked some sense into him.
…Adding… Maybe the governor’s next call should be to the mayor of Plainfield…
The Chicago and South Side Irish Parades may be cancelled over coronavirus concerns, but a local organizer said the Plainfield Hometown Irish Parade is still set to go on as planned.
“As of right now, it’s [not cancelled],” lead parade organizer Jessica said. “The mayor spoke with police this morning, and decided they would go forward with it.”
*Facepalm*
You don’t call the police about a public health question. Sheesh, some people are so dumb.
A Chinatown developer who wore a wire on former Ald. Daniel Solis and helped the FBI break open a sweeping political corruption probe has been charged with fraud related to a South Side condominium project.
See Y. Wong was charged in a seven-page criminal information with wire fraud for allegedly lying to banks and buyers involved with his Canal Crossing building, records show.
A criminal information typically indicates a defendant intends to plead guilty. Wong is scheduled to be arraigned at the Dirksen U.S. Courthouse on Tuesday, records show. […]
Wong began cooperating with the FBI in May 2014 after he was caught up in the fraud scheme and agreed to secretly record Solis in hopes of receiving a reduced sentence once he was charged, according to a federal search warrant affidavit unsealed in 2019.
See Y. Wong made a secret 2014 audio and video recording for the feds of then-Ald. Danny Solis and House Speaker Michael Madigan, according to court records and sources. That recording became part of the investigation that persuaded Solis to then secretly record Burke.
But Wong helped the feds only because he hoped a judge would one day go easy on him for a fraud that had yet to be identified — until Wednesday. That’s when federal prosecutors filed a seven-page charging document known as an information that accused Wong of wire fraud. […]
Wong’s alleged scam revolved around the Canal Crossing condominium development in Chinatown. Wong is accused of lying to buyers and to Cathay Bank. The bank loaned $13.7 million for the project to Emerald Homes, of which Wong was an owner. The feds say the scheme cost the bank $1.8 million and buyers of the condominiums $1 million.
Specifically, the feds pointed to a $170,100 wire transfer Wong made nearly 10 years ago, on May 18, 2010.
* Speaking of recordings…
In the case of Patrick Doherty, chief of staff to Cook County Commissioner Jeff Tobolski, defense attorneys say they need more time to review evidence, including "over 6,000 .WAV audio files." pic.twitter.com/EzkzdPBhdD
Thursday, Mar 12, 2020 - Posted by Advertising Department
[The following is a paid advertisement.]
Across Illinois, communities are struggling to stay above water. Meanwhile, clean energy jobs in our state are growing faster than the rest of our economy. The question now is, who will benefit?
Hundreds of low-income and people of color are already in good-paying jobs because the state is funding training programs that make sure everyone shares in the new clean energy economy. The popularity of these programs and the demand for clean energy jobs continues to grow.
This spring, Gov. Pritzker and the General Assembly can choose to double down on equity in our energy economy by passing transformative legislation that will create good jobs and entrepreneurial opportunities in communities of color and communities too often left behind.
The Clean Energy Jobs Act is the only comprehensive, equitable energy bill that puts Illinois on a path to 100% renewable energy, lowers electricity costs, and reduces transportation pollution.
We need to take bold action on climate and create economic opportunities in communities that need them the most.
It’s time to pass CEJA now! Visit ilcleanjobs.org to learn more.
As a precautionary measure to contain the spread of COVID-19, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is extending spring break for students through March 22, and classes will be offered online or in other alternative formats until further notice, according to SIU Chancellor John Dunn.
Students were expected back on campus this coming Monday, but instead, classes will resume on March 23 in order to “give faculty time to convert courses for delivery in alternative formats,” Dunn wrote in a letter to the campus community on Wednesday.
Loyola University announced Thursday it is suspending all “in-person, face-to-face classes” through the end of the semester and will close all its residence halls next week, joining several other colleges in Illinois that are taking similar measures to contain the coronavirus.
While the campus will remain open, “all university-sponsored events with participation greater than 70 people are prohibited,” the university said in a statement. It added that no decision has been made yet about commencement activities. […]
CME Group is closing its Chicago trading floor after Friday’s session as a precaution to prevent the spread of coronavirus. […]
U. of C. joins Northwestern, Illinois State, U. of I. in moving classes online after spring break, DePaul makes changes in latest attempts to contain coronavirus
More here and a running list of Chicago-area closures is here.
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced on March 12, 2020 that it will significantly limit attendance at the remaining games in the 2020 IHSA Boys Basketball State Series, as well as at other IHSA events, to preemptively reduce the potential spread of COVID-19.
The decision comes after consultation with the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Peoria City/County Health Department, the latter of whom made the recommendation that no more than 60 spectators per school be allowed in the arena for each contest at this weekend’s Class 1A and Class 2A Boys Basketball State Finals. The IHSA currently plans to invoke the 60-spectator per school limitation across all remaining basketball games this season. Competing schools will be provided a protocol for determining who receives tickets.
The coronavirus story became personal for multiple media organizations Wednesday after an unidentified employee of the Prudential Building tested positive for COVID-19. The two-tower downtown complex houses Tribune Publishing (including the Chicago Tribune), Hubbard Radio Chicago and Entercom Chicago, all of which encouraged employees to work from home if possible. Elsewhere a growing number of Chicago area journalists also began working remotely, including much of the staff of Crain’s Chicago Business. As a precautionary test on Thursday, virtually the entire editorial department of the Sun-Times will remain off site too. “Let’s be clear: This is a trial run,” the Sun-Times wrote in an editorial. “We have seen no evidence of COVID-19 in our newsroom or in the places we send reporters.”
Senior Services of Central Illinois is temporarily suspending all gathering activities and congregate meals due to COVID-19 risks.
This includes congregate meals, programs & activities, the Aging Mastery Program, and some transportation services at locations including Springfield Senior Center, Chatham, and Athens.
No formal statewide announcement has been made, but it looks like several senior centers are closing.
Sadly, this post will be updated.
…Adding… From the Illinois Department on Aging…
Please be advised, effective immediately, the Illinois Department on Aging is requesting all Area Agencies on Aging to suspend all gathering activities placing our older adults at heightened risk including the provision of congregate meals and social activities conducted in group settings. Meals will still be available on a daily basis. Clients will be notified by providers or staff to an immediate alternative to the suspension of congregate dining such as box lunch service, pick-up option or home-delivered meals. During this temporary suspension, healthy adults are encouraged to check on their older neighbors. For more information on how to protect yourself and your loved ones, please contact Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) or visit our website at www.illinois.gov/aging.
Spring Break has been extended. NIU is extending Spring Break for students through Sunday, March 22. During this additional week, NIU faculty will work to develop alternate modes of course delivery, as appropriate, to replace face-to-face instruction. We understand that this could be especially challenging for different programs, including those at the graduate level, that require doing clinicals, student-teaching, lab work, artistry, etc. We are prepared to accommodate our students and to find effective and appropriate alternatives.
During the extended Spring Break period, NIU will identify ways that we can offer access to academic support services and continue to provide childcare and health services.
Modified courses (replacing face-to-face instruction) will begin March 23, and run for a period of two weeks through Saturday, April 4. Our goal is to return to face-to-face instruction Monday, April 6. However, if warranted by evolving conditions, we will extend beyond that date and communicate that decision in a timely manner.
Two more events have withdrawn from McCormick Place, bringing its roll call of cancellations to six as organizers skip large gatherings because of the coronavirus.
The National School Boards Association scrapped its 2020 convention, scheduled for April 4-6. Salesforce said it is converting its Connections 2020 event, scheduled for May 4-6, to a virtual setting.
Residence halls will re-open at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 15 as originally scheduled; however, students may choose to remain in their permanent residences until further notice. If students choose to return to their respective residence halls, they must check in via their STARS account when they arrive on campus. Dining services will be available.
University Operations & Faculty/Staff
While classes are canceled next week, the University remains open for regular business. All faculty and staff will resume their normal work schedule the week of March 15. Student employees and graduate assistants should consult with their respective supervisors. Employees and students who feel ill should stay home and contact their health care provider.
University Events
All events on either campus with more than 50 participants that are scheduled between now and April 3, 2020 should be canceled, unless deemed as essential for University operations. We have implemented a mandatory event registration form, which will remain in effect for the remainder of the semester, which can be found at bit.ly/WIUEventRegistration2020.
* Press release…
The Central Illinois Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration has canceled the Rail Splitter Award Banquet and Award Ceremony scheduled for Monday, March 16th at the UIS Student Union Ballroom in response to the COVID-19 threat. The awards ceremony will be rescheduled for a future date to recognize recipient Dr. David Racine.
Democratic congressional candidate Betsy Dirksen Londrigan’s campaign said she has canceled a planned election night gathering that was to begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Londrigan is running against Stefanie Smith of Urbana in the Democratic primary for the U.S. House in the 13th Congressional District. The event was to be at Café Moxo downtown Springfield.
· Eastern Illinois University will extend its spring break for students through March 29. No classes will be held during this time.
· Students will have the option of studying remotely from their campus residence or from home after spring break.
· The University and all of its offices will remain open during this time period and will remain open moving forward.
· To the greatest extent possible, when university courses resume March 30, classes will be delivered through online instruction and/or other alternative instructional methods. Online and other alternative learning methods will replace traditional face-to-face instruction and continue until further notice. We understand that some classes will be much more difficult to deliver online and in different formats. We continue to explore different approaches for completing these courses and faculty will communicate with their classes via email during the week of March 23rd. […]
· Residence halls and Greek Court will close throughout the duration of the previously scheduled Spring Break, though students may return on March 23. In short, all residence halls and on-campus dining will be available to all enrolled students with housing and dining contracts.
SPRING BREAK
The University’s Spring Break, which is scheduled to start on Monday, will be extended a second week through March 29. Faculty, staff and administrators should continue their normal work schedule during these two weeks. Also during this time, faculty will develop alternate modes of course delivery, as appropriate, to replace face-to-face instruction. At the current time, the University has no plans to close.
EVENTS
Effective immediately, all events that are scheduled to take place this semester at the University with 50 or more anticipated people are canceled until further notice. This includes today’s Diversity Food Fest that was scheduled to take place this afternoon in Alumni Hall. It is too soon for us to know how we will handle Commencement in May.
The Illinois State Rifle Association said it plans to reschedule the April 1 I-GOLD event to May 13.
* Sen. Sara Feigenholtz…
In an effort to take precautions related to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are cancelling the Saturday, March 14, 2020, REAL ID Info Session + Mobile ID event. It is our intention to reschedule this event in the future.
* Illinois Board of Higher Education…
Out of an abundance of caution regarding matters pertaining to COVID-19, we are cancelling the March board meeting. Details on a rescheduled meeting date will be posted on the IBHE website at www.ibhe.org when they become available.
Former Grateful Dead singer and guitarist Bob Weir has postponed tonight’s concert at the Chicago Theatre with his band Wolf Bros.
* Illinois State Museum…
All ISM programs, events, and school group visits are canceled through April 10;
All official ISM travel is canceled through April 10;
* Sen. Richard Durbin…
In an effort to minimize health risks to him, you and others, we have canceled all of Senator Dick Durbin’s major public events, including his fundraising events. We hope to reschedule them in the near future and will keep you posted.
* Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy…
I am writing to inform you that after the Residence Halls close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 13 and students enjoy their spring break, the IMSA campus will continue to be closed through extended weekend April 13. Spring break will be extended through March 25 and online classes will commence on Thursday, March 26 and will continue until the Halls reopen at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, April 13. Additionally, we are cancelling all events during this closure period. Students should stay at their permanent home. Onsite teaching is expected to resume April 14. However, the outbreak is evolving and this information may change rapidly as warranted.
Students will not be permitted to return to campus during this closure period. Please prepare for this extended time away from campus by bringing home essential personal belongings and items necessary to complete coursework remotely. We will also be sending medication home with students when they depart campus. We will share more information about the remote learning format and expectations via email within the next week.
* I started thinking yesterday that the country needs to get itself on a war footing. By that, I don’t mean draconian government action (frankly, any positive federal government action would be appreciated and soon), or curtailing civil liberties (except for public gatherings). It’s more like changing the mindset among public servants and the public in general.
That means, in part, doing all of our jobs to the very best of our abilities during these trying times.
Think of FDR, sick and in a wheel chair and still presiding over a global war with brilliant determination, day in and day out until it literally killed him.
Amid rising coronavirus-related concerns, the Chicago Board of Elections on Wednesday evening called and then abruptly cancelled a special meeting at which knowledgeable sources say board members were to discuss the possibility of postponing the primary election set for next Tuesday, March 17.
The idea of an election deferral was discussed in extraordinary conference call earlier today involving the board, Cook County Clerk Karen Yarbrough’s office, Illinois Senate President Don Harmon, House Speaker Mike Madigan and legal advisers to Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
State law does not explicitly allow for an election postponement. But since a press conference Tuesday morning during which board officials said things were under control, the situation has deteriorated, with dozens of private landlords canceling plans to host election sites, senior-citizen residences moving to close their doors to outsiders even if they are visiting an election site, and increasing concern about the health of election judges and poll workers, many of them elderly. […]
Where the board this morning was looking for new polling locations for 25 precincts, most of them in nursing homes, another 64 precincts now lack a polling place as private landlords decide they do not want to shoulder any risk. The city has thousands of polling places, but 64 is better than one per ward, a very high figure to replace on short notice.
Oh, those poor bureaucrats. Chicago has well over 2,000 precinct polling places and they lost 64 of them? Horrifying. Cancel the election!
Sheesh.
Ask the aldermen to get on their phones and help out. Call the committeepersons. Combine some polling places. You cannot just cancel an election without a state legislative act and that’s not gonna happen by next Tuesday, so do something positive!
In an email Wednesday night, Chicago Board of Elections spokesman Jim Allen says:
“We’re full speed ahead with the election on March 17. We’re getting cooperation from the city and the state, and we’re going to do everything in our collective parties to make certain that voting moves forward as scheduled on Election Day.”
