* Yesterday…
Within hours of Pritzker proclaiming the latest move to try and curb the spread of the coronavirus, a 12-feet-long, 3-feet-wide spray-painted black on white background message across the front of the restaurant proclaimed:
“Governor Pritzker — Screw You.”
Peggy Brandon, the owner of the restaurant at 114 W. Market St., said Sunday afternoon that public reaction had ranged from anger to support and she remained unrepentant.
“I did it myself because he (Pritzker) had no business shutting my business down,” said Brandon, 57.
* Today…
Rosati’s of Taylorville, the defiant pizza restaurant that posted a huge window sign that said “Gov. Pritzker — Screw You” after the governor announced a statewide restaurant shutdown, has lost its franchise with the Rosati’s chain.
A letter from Rosati’s head office displayed on a Facebook page, which the Warrenville-based company confirmed to the Herald & Review Monday was genuine, slammed Taylorville franchisee Peggy Brandon for her “juvenile approach.”
It added: “Because this franchisee does not hold our same values, we have terminated their franchise.” […]
Brandon said 20 employees would be left without a paycheck in an overreaction to a disease that has yet to produce a single case in Christian County. “And yet he (Pritzker) wants me and my servers to go without income for two weeks. Is the government going to pay us? Hell no, they’re not. Pritzker is a (expletive expletive). He needs to go.”
Full statement…
Seems a bit harsh.
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* One of the errands I ran today was getting a new license plate sticker. Whew…
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is announcing that all offices, including Driver Services facilities statewide, will be closed to the public due to the COVID-19 virus and the health and safety recommendations by experts endorsing social distancing efforts. The closures will take effect March 17 through March 31.
Expiration dates for driver’s licenses, identification (ID) cards, vehicle registrations and other transactions and document filings will be extended by 30 days through an emergency rule.
White also joins a growing list of states and industries calling on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to push back the Oct. 1, 2020, federal REAL ID deadline due to the impact COVID-19 is having on the general public and driver’s license and ID card-issuing agencies nationwide.
“After careful consideration, it is clear that this decision to close offices and Driver Services facilities is the right one to make for the health and safety of Illinoisans,” said White. “This important action will help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”
White is reminding residents that many transactions with the Secretary of State’s office may be conducted online at www.cyberdriveillinois.com. Customers are encouraged to take advantage of these online services, some of which include:
• obtaining a duplicate driver’s license or ID card;
• renewing a vehicle registration;
• obtaining a driver record abstract;
• renewing a standard driver’s license with the Safe Driver Renewal program;
• filing Business Services documents, such as incorporations and annual reports;
• customers with issues involving administrative hearings may contact 312-793-3722 or 217-782-7065.
White stressed that the office will continue to monitor the COVID-19 crisis. Expert advice, news and events involving the virus will influence the reopening date of offices and the Driver Services facilities.
“We will do everything we can to help protect the health and safety of our residents,” said White. “This will, and must, be the guiding principle of our decision making.”
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* If you click here and read the governor’s new executive order, you’ll see the state statutes listed that justify his decision to close restaurants and bars and limit the size of gatherings to less than 50 people. The powers derive from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act and the governor is invoking sections 7(1), 7(2), 7(3) and 7(8). Here they are…
Sec. 7. Emergency Powers of the Governor. In the event of a disaster, as defined in Section 4, the Governor may, by proclamation declare that a disaster exists. Upon such proclamation, the Governor shall have and may exercise for a period not to exceed 30 days the following emergency powers; provided, however, that the lapse of the emergency powers shall not, as regards any act or acts occurring or committed within the 30-day period, deprive any person, firm, corporation, political subdivision, or body politic of any right or rights to compensation or reimbursement which he, she, it, or they may have under the provisions of this Act:
(1) To suspend the provisions of any regulatory statute prescribing procedures for conduct of State business, or the orders, rules and regulations of any State agency, if strict compliance with the provisions of any statute, order, rule, or regulation would in any way prevent, hinder or delay necessary action, including emergency purchases, by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, in coping with the disaster.
(2) To utilize all available resources of the State government as reasonably necessary to cope with the disaster and of each political subdivision of the State.
(3) To transfer the direction, personnel or functions of State departments and agencies or units thereof for the purpose of performing or facilitating disaster response and recovery programs.
(8) To control ingress and egress to and from a disaster area, the movement of persons within the area, and the occupancy of premises therein.
The “movement of persons” and “occupancy of premises” are the most important here, I think. The entire state has been declared a disaster area.
* Disaster’s definition…
“Disaster” means an occurrence or threat of widespread or severe damage, injury or loss of life or property resulting from any natural or technological cause, including but not limited to fire, flood, earthquake, wind, storm, hazardous materials spill or other water contamination requiring emergency action to avert danger or damage, epidemic, air contamination, blight, extended periods of severe and inclement weather, drought, infestation, critical shortages of essential fuels and energy, explosion, riot, hostile military or paramilitary action, public health emergencies, or acts of domestic terrorism.
…Adding… Read to the bottom of the EO and you’ll see he also suspended the section of the Open Meetings Act that requires local members of a public body to be physically present for votes.
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* Press release…
Dear Editors and Reporters:
With Ohio announcing today that it is postponing its primary, which had been scheduled for tomorrow, I wanted to let you know that Illinois is proceeding with plans for tomorrow’s primary as scheduled.
As of today we have had 504,000 early votes cast and 294,000 mail ballots sent to voters. The day before the 2016 primary, those numbers were 400,000 and 160,000 respectively. With early voting continuing today, we likely will see a substantial increase when early voting sites close. We along with the state’s 108 local election authorities had been encouraging early voting for several weeks and in the past two weeks had increased our efforts so voters could vote early and avoid lines and crowds on election day out of concern for coronavirus.
Those efforts appear to have been successful as we will undoubtedly set new records for early and mail voting for a primary election.
We have worked with the Illinois Department of Public Health to make sure local election authorities have proper guidance for coronavirus safety in their polling places. We have provided polling place signage (attached) to local election authorities to alert voters and poll workers to best practices for preventing the spread of coronavirus. Local election authorities have, when necessary, consulted their local emergency managers for help in obtaining sanitizing supplies for their polling places.
Illinois has seen hundreds of polling place location changes in the past week and we have made every effort to keep our online polling place lookup database current so voters can find accurate information on where to vote. In many cases involving cancellations last week, election authorities were able to contact affected voters by mail to alert them to new polling places. In addition, many local election authorities are facing the additional challenge of election judges canceling. Local election authorities are going to great lengths to recruit replacements, including increasing judge pay in some cases. Please check with your local election authority for specific details.
As to the question of why Illinois is going forward with Tuesday’s election, there are several factors to be considered. As already noted, much of the voting for this election already has been done. Also, at this point there is no date in the foreseeable future when we can expect greater safety with any certainty. Taking action to move to an all-mail ballot system, as has been suggested by some media members, fails to take into account the needs of many disabled voters who are unable to cast paper ballots by mail.
To be clear, the State Board of Elections does not have the authority to change an election date. Doing so would require action by the General Assembly to amend the Illinois Election Code or a court order. We have no intention of seeking such an order nor has any other state official indicated that intent.
With Gov. Pritzker having ordered the closure of restaurants in Illinois as of tonight except for carryout service, we want to point out that in-person voting is a comparable transaction to picking up a takeout restaurant order or shopping at a grocery store. There is no need for close contact when requesting a ballot from an election judge and Illinois does not require voters to show ID; a voter’s signature compared to the signature on record is proof of identity. Primary voting typically is a swift transaction that can be done at a safe distance from other voters.
We understand that this election presents voters with the difficult task of weighing civic duty with the safety of themselves and others. We believe that by following guidance from our state and federal health professionals, voters can vote safely at early voting sites today and at polling places tomorrow.
Thank you for you attention to accurate reporting of this rapidly unfolding situation. Please follow our Twitter feed at @illinoissbe for continued updates.
I will make every effort to return calls and emails but at this point the volume is too great so you may receive future mass briefings like this one.
Matt Dietrich
Public Information Officer
Illinois State Board of Elections
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* Gov. Pritzker is having a press conference in Springfield today…
There is new guidance out just moments ago from the President of the United States, and we can talk more about that in the questions and answers, but as a result of the guidance that’s been given, I am mandating that any gatherings of the 50 people or more guidance by the CDC will be canceled
This post will be updated. And, again, remember that I’m using Otter for my transcription, so there will be some typos.
* IDPH Director Ngozi Ezike…
We have two new counties that have developed cases, Peoria and Will counties. So the numbers of cases are increasing each day as is the number of locations. People should assume that this novel coronavirus is in their community and take steps to protect themselves and reduce the spread. There is evidence that the transmission of the virus often occurs when symptoms first develop. So it’s important to limit close contact with people as much as possible, even if you don’t feel that sick. […]
It is important that we reduce the amount of virus circulating in the community. This happens by reducing the number of people who come in contact with the virus. Bottom line is, stay home as much as possible.
* Missed this from Gov. Pritzker earlier…
And I want to express my sincerest gratitude to the many unsung heroes who keep this operation moving 24/7. The vast majority of whom the public will never know, Springfield is also home to one of our three state run COVID-19 testing labs, which are also located in Chicago and Carbondale, these facilities and their personnel, deliver deliver us from sorry Deliver us some of the fastest results of any state. When it comes to COVID-19 testing and support our Sentinel surveillance operation to monitor for the virus, all across, Illinois. 15 hospitals statewide are running the program with more to come, three hospitals here in Central Illinois seven hospitals in Cook County, three hospitals in other areas of Northern Illinois, and two hospitals in Southern Illinois. All performing this Sentinel surveillance together. Our state lab and hospital partners are ramping up testing to the levels necessary for us to better understand the presence and patterns of the spread of the virus in Illinois.
But to get a full picture of that we need the federal government to lead. Follow or get out of the way. From the beginning, I’ve been pressing the White House for a rapid increase in test deployment nationwide. There are COVID-19 tests available right now that have been approved for use in Europe, and use in Asia, that are not available in the United States so I’m calling on the FDA to review and approve these tests as soon as possible. precious time has been lost because the White House made some bad decisions early on, which led to the current low levels of testing across the United States. But at the state level, we’ve had to scramble to create more testing capability on our own, our hospitals and our research centers in Illinois which are some of the finest in the world were finally given permission by the federal government to develop our own tests, which has expanded testing availability, but still more must be done by the federal government to the people of Illinois, and to all the people across Central Illinois and Springfield.
* The governor was asked what he would do with business owners who defy the restaurant/bar closing order…
Obviously you can’t police everything all the time and so we obviously want communities to understand what the limitations are and understand what the orders are that have been given, and to follow them. And so we’re gonna, you know, we’re going to do our best to help the communities, managing themselves. And I think you’ve seen on social media and elsewhere, the public, the vast majority of the public understands what needs to be done here. There are a few people who want to resist and want to talk about resistance against it, but I think at this point, you know, the public is kind of reining in those outliers. […]
I would say to them that, weeks from now, months from now, when one of those party goers, one of those people that they defied the order to have into their establishment that becomes sick, perhaps dire. Somebody perhaps might die and they should know that they are responsible for that.
He also said the 50 person limit could be lowered to 10.
* The governor was asked about the 50-person limit and how that would apply to election day tomorrow…
Look, we have to have our elections continue in my opinion, this is the right thing to do our democracy needs to go on, we need to elect leaders. If we cancel these elections you know when we have an election, would be a question I might ask, but the most important thing is that we’re taking every precaution. Every time somebody goes and votes on a voting machine that people are touching, it’s being wiped down. We have guidance to all the election judges to make sure to to maintain social separation distance.
We’re making sure that we have sanitizer at the locations that people are voting at, and then just remember we have a terrific early voting mechanism across the state. Not only can people go in over the last 44 days and today to early vote, but also we have vote by mail, and we’ve had record vote by mail in many areas of the state so I feel good about the decision to have the election on tomorrow with another question. […]
As you know, the process of voting is a very short, relatively short process … You’re with a machine really you’re facing people to check in, and they’re going to give social, you know, social distance to people. But the total time in a location and engaging with a group of people, isn’t very much and doesn’t doesn’t really happen. So, we think it’s, we do believe it’s safe. We’ve certainly consulted experts and we think that the election will be just fine.
* The governor was asked about IRMA’s plea to make sure grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, etc. be allowed to remain open…
You’re asking questions that I can’t fully answer today because the scientists and medical doctors don’t have answers to those things either.
Obviously the fundamental functions that people need like being able to put gas in your car and all that. I cannot anticipate, I do not anticipate that we’ll be doing anything that will prevent people from getting in their own car if they absolutely need to and suggest to people. They should stay home, but they may need to go to the grocer, they need they need to go somewhere else to a doctor, perhaps, so we’re not going to prevent any of that. But I will say that I don’t know what the next day will bring. I mean, as you’ve seen we’ve had to evolve as the science has evolved. I would add one more thing just for to keep in mind here, because these decisions are not easy. I mean, no one wants to close the schools, no one wants to ask businesses to close them it’s a terrible thing. It’s not what I would do.
* Mass transit…
If you have not been in Chicago today or yesterday, mass transit is, you know, there are many many fewer people in mass transit many many fewer people on the roads. And I think you’re seeing that in Central Illinois as well. So I think we don’t have any answers about what may happen with mass transit.
* In conclusion…
Last thing for the people who think that they’re the least vulnerable and most invulnerable young people who feel just fine and they think they’re just fine because they haven’t heard much about coronavirus affecting people in their age group. They are carriers potentially.
For those out there who think that you’re immune. You’re not.
For counties out there that have said, ‘Well, nobody in my county’s gotten it. I live in an area where people just don’t get these things. This seems like something that only happens in Chicago.’ You’re wrong.
All over the world in rural areas, people are getting coronavirus. It is coming, unfortunately, to everywhere in the state of Illinois, no matter where you live, it will come. And so you need to be prepared. You need to listen to what we’re saying. And we will. As a result of the positive actions that we’re taking in the individuals across the state are taking, we will bend this curve and we will save lives.
Presser ended.
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* People really need to knock this off for crying out loud. Let her be…
Statement from Lisa Badger, Springfield Park Board trustee, on her coronavirus diagnosis – March 16, 2020:
Since learning over the weekend I am one of the first confirmed cases of coronavirus in Sangamon County, my life has been turned upside down. I join everyone who is feeling fearful and uncertain about what is happening and what is to come.
But I would please ask for time alone at home to recover with my family, as our local, state and federal officials work to stop the spread of this disease that has brought everything to a halt.
I had NO symptoms when I was in contact with the public from March 5th on. When I developed a slight fever and other symptoms that initially were unconcerning last week, I stayed home from work and contacted my healthcare team. I have not been out of the country, had any known contact with anyone who had traveled abroad, nor have I had direct contact with anyone who has yet tested positive for coronavirus. I assume I contracted this virus through community spread. Please understand, I used to work as a nurse, and I am very proactive about my health and underlying conditions.
I am in direct and constant contact with my doctors and recovering, although it is a slow process and I am concerned about getting worse instead of better.
I am a public official and proud of being open and accessible to my constituents and anyone who needs help. In addition to being a Springfield Park Board trustee, I work in a very visible position as a community affairs specialist in the State Treasurer’s office, and I am a union steward for Teamsters Local 916, a Democratic precinct committeeperson and am involved in many other ways in Springfield. I take pride in being easy to reach.
My family and I have been bombarded with negativity since my case went public: hundreds of texts, voicemails, Facebook messages and more. People are threatening to sue me. They’ve been terrible to my daughter.
I understand everyone is scared. I’m scared, too. But I’ve done nothing wrong. I have taken every precaution possible, and I caught this from someone else. Now I need time to rest and recover without the overwhelming stress of so many personal attacks and accusations.
Please, stop reaching out to me and my family. Call the Sangamon County Public Health Department and urge them to do more to help find out how I contracted the virus, and to do everything they can to test people with symptoms and ensure immediate treatment. If you’re concerned about exposure at the youth career fair I attended on behalf of the Treasurer, please contact the Treasurer’s office.
I love this community, and I only wish to be well again, and for all of us to be well. I will provide further updates as warranted. Thank you to everyone for respecting our privacy and for banding together during this difficult time to stop this pandemic as soon as possible.
* SJ-R…
Badger also expressed concern over how the Sangamon County Department of Public Health handled her case. She said the department has not followed up with her or her contacts appropriately and they have not collected data for the 14 days prior to her first known possible symptom on March 4.
“I attempted to offer that information and it was not being received,” she said.
Regarding that, Gail O’Neil, director of the Sangamon County Department of Public Health, said the department has been following the guidelines set by the state department of public health, choosing to focus on contacting people who may have been around her when she was most infectious.
“We’re really not concerned about where she got it at this point,” O’Neill said. “We’re concerned about where she may spread it and when she was most infectious … So, yeah, there wasn’t a long time backwards that we were responsible for following up on.”
Wait. The public health department isn’t concerned about where she got it?
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12 new cases, now 105 cases in 15 counties
Monday, Mar 16, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Press release…
The Illinois Department of Public Health today announced 12 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) across Illinois. Two additional counties are now reporting cases, Peoria and Will counties. Other locations with cases include Chicago and Champaign, Clinton, Cook, Cumberland, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Sangamon, St. Clair, Whiteside, Winnebago, and Woodford counties.
“We know there is a lot of concern as the number of cases and locations increase,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “However, not everyone who has respiratory symptoms like cough and shortness of breath needs to be tested. Similarly, not everyone who is infected with novel coronavirus needs medical treatment. We want to make sure those at higher risk of severe illness are prioritized for testing and that they can receive the medical care they need. We ask those who have mild symptoms to stay home so the health care system is not overwhelmed.”
Information so far suggests that most COVID-19 illness is mild. However, older people and people of all ages with severe chronic medical conditions, like heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes, seem to be at higher risk of developing serious illness. It is crucial that we limit contact with older people and those with certain health conditions.
Currently, IDPH is reporting 105 cases in 15 counties in Illinois. Cases have occurred in all age ranges and the number of cases that do not have a clear connection to travel or a known COVID-19 case is increasing.
…Adding… Our daily graph…
* Meanwhile, from the NY Times…
President Trump told a group of governors Monday morning that they should not wait for the federal government to fill the growing demand for respirators needed to help people diagnosed with coronavirus.
“Respirators, ventilators, all of the equipment — try getting it yourselves,” Mr. Trump told the governors during the conference call, a recording of which was shared with The New York Times.
“We will be backing you, but try getting it yourselves. Point of sales, much better, much more direct if you can get it yourself.”
The suggestion surprised some of the governors, who have been scrambling to contain the outbreak and are increasingly looking to the federal government for help with equipment, personnel and financial aid.
* Also…
The U.S. surgeon general, meanwhile, said the number of coronavirus cases in the United States has reached the level that disease-battered Italy recorded two weeks ago — a signal that infections are expected to rise in America.
“We are at a critical inflection point in this country, people,” U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams told Fox News. “When you look at the projections, there’s every chance that we could be Italy.”
Two weeks ago, there were 1,700 cases of coronavirus in Italy and the country had reported 34 deaths. Now, Italy is reporting an estimated 25,000 cases and more than 1,800 people have died.
The U.S. has recorded about 3,800 infections and at least 65 deaths, two-thirds of them in hard-hit Washington state.
* Related…
* Chicago area hospitals postponing some elective surgeries amid COVID-19
* United Airlines cuts more flights as analysts warn impact of coronavirus on air travel could rival 9/11
* Coronavirus and sports: MLB pushes back opening day again and next month’s NFL draft will happen, but without public events
* Stocks fall worldwide as coronavirus throttles economies
* Running list of Chicago-area closings and cancellations because of coronavirus
* DuPage County issues disaster proclamation in wake of coronavirus pandemic
* Regulators shut down video gambling machines across Illinois due to COVID-19
* Illinois suspends visitations at state prisons to slow the spread of coronavirus
* Indiana governor orders all restaurants, bars closed for two weeks amid coronavirus pandemic
* Govs in NY, NJ, Conn. close bars
* Springfield coronavirus update: Memorial opens drive-through screening clinic
* How coronavirus is complicating 2020 census push
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* Press release…
State Senator Brian Stewart, R-Freeport, and State Representative John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, issued the following joint statement today in response to Governor JB Pritzker’s announcement over the weekend on actions the state is taking regarding the Coronavirus pandemic:
“On Sunday Governor JB Pritzker ordered bars and restaurants closed in the state of Illinois commencing Monday, March 16th through Monday, March 30th as a latest response to the Coronavirus. To bureaucrats and billionaires two weeks without a paycheck is nothing. In fact, the bureaucrats’ paychecks are guaranteed by the taxpayers of Illinois, unlike the cooks, the servers, the dishwashers, and the owners of those bars and restaurants.
The Governor will defend his decision by claiming an “abundance of caution” and citing his “emergency authority”. Under those conditions what is next? Are we going to close the grocery stores, the pharmacies, the marijuana stores, factories, and other businesses? It is noted that the Governor did not postpone the election while other states did so.
In the days after 9-11 and the attack on the twin towers in New York and the Pentagon in Washington DC there was a lot of uncertainty and a monumental crisis across the nation. Our leaders at that time worked to assure the nation that there would be a concerted effort to return to normalcy. Here in Illinois our leaders are seemingly paralyzed with fear and fueling uncertainty.
Real leadership demands a measured response to this crisis. It is pretty clear that those among us who have underlying illnesses and who are in an advanced stage of life are the most vulnerable to the Coronavirus. All efforts should be made to make sure that this demographic is monitored and that their chances of exposure are limited.
Our concern with the Governor’s response to the Cornavirus is that it is incoherent and reactionary and that the trajectory he is on could lead to some permanent damage to the Illinois economy and the confidence of the people of Illinois. We urge the Governor to proceed with the same caution that all of us have been advised to do when dealing with the Coronavirus. Governor Pritzker, please don’t kill the patient.”
* Jordan Abudayyeh in the governor’s office…
The science is clear: in order to protect the health and wellbeing of the people in our state we have to flatten the curve. It is reckless and irresponsible for leaders to contradict the guidance coming from our public health officials. Real leadership requires making tough decisions while working day and night to ensure the people impacted by those decisions have the resources they need and that’s exactly what Gov. Pritzker has been doing. The administration has held briefings and calls for lawmakers to learn about the unique challenges we’re facing and we encourage the skeptics to join those to learn more about the crisis we’re facing. Now is not the time for politics because the only way we’re going to get through this is by working together to ensure every single one of us is doing our part for the greater good.
* Meanwhile…
Ohio’s Republican Gov. Mike DeWine announced that the state would not go forward with in-person voting on Tuesday.
The move follows days of pressure for the four states scheduled to vote on Tuesday — Arizona, Florida, Illinois, and Ohio — to postpone their primaries. In an open letter, more than 1,600 people, including 100 medical professionals, called for the next round of presidential primaries to be postponed amid the coronavirus pandemic. All of the four states scheduled to vote on Tuesday have declared a state of emergency in response to the outbreak. The decision to hold both the Democratic and Republican primary elections — which have closed down schools, restaurants, and bars to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus — could exponentially grow the amount of cases and death toll. In Arizona, the state Republican Party decided months ago not to hold a presidential primary.
The letter, which is addressed to the Democratic National Committee and the secretaries of state for the four states, calls for those states to push their primaries to May. Until then, it reads, “mail-in voting should be implemented throughout under the guidance of health and election authorities.” Postponing the elections would also give states enough time to explore alternatives to in-person voting at a sufficient scale, the letter notes, particularly if the emergency continues to worsen.
The letter is here.
*** UPDATE 1 *** That Ohio thing is not a done deal…
DeWine announced the change at a Monday afternoon news conference. He said his office does not have the power to unilaterally change the voting date, but the governor outlined a process involving the courts that can allow for this change.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Stay tuned to the live coverage post for updates…
*** UPDATE 3 *** Assuming a quick appeal, but not certain…
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Welcome, Lily!
Monday, Mar 16, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the governor’s office…
Rich,
Remember that time Emily Bittner had a baby and then a pandemic started? Well here’s the good news for you to post!
The Governor’s comms director Emily Bittner and husband Clay Diette of the Chicago Laborers’ District Council are excited to (virtually) introduce the world to Wilhelmina Jean Diette, aka Lily, named after beloved relatives. She came into the world at 7 lbs, 4 oz and she and mom are doing great.
She’s rigorously observing all social distancing recommendations for as long as needed, but she’s very excited to meet everyone in person when the world returns to normal. In the meantime, she appreciates all the well wishes and encourages everyone to do what the governor says.
* Here she is…
Such a cutie.
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Open thread
Monday, Mar 16, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I have three hugely important errands I need to run today that I couldn’t get to over the weekend.
Please keep your discussion Illinois-centric and be nice to each other. Also, we have a ton of COVID-19 posts, so try to stay away from that topic here. Thanks. Be well.
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* This email was sent to 17 state legislators…
I am writing to you to ask for your help in bringing the 51 Illinois Citizens that were passengers of the Princes Cruise back to their homes in Illinois. As I’m sure that you are aware some of these passengers are being held at a facility in Georgia. They arrived there on Friday and until today they had absolutely no medical help and very little food or water. Today was a WIN for them as they were able to get additional supplies such as food, sheets and blankets. One Illinois citizen wrote on her Facebook page that they received breakfast yesterday, which they were thankful for, however, it was cold and they did not have any silverware to eat with! These people did nothing wrong and yet we treat them like this? Other states have sent transportation to get their citizens. Why is Illinois not doing the same? These citizens deserve to be home in Illinois. Would you please explain to me why it is so hard to transport 51 Illinois citizens back for Illinois where they belong? I would appreciate your view concerning this matter.
* Background from KWQC…
Donna and Bruce Hardy of Milan were on a cruise to Hawaii with passengers who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
After spending eight days in isolation in their room on the cruise ship, they are now being quarantined in Georgia. Donna says her room at the quarantine facility is terrible, and she’s been suffering from headaches due to mold in the bathroom.
“Our room is terrible,” Donna said. “You know our eyes water when we go in to use the toilet. We’ve not showered since we got here. We’re not gonna shower in our unit so we’re sponge bathing in the kitchen sink. Even if we could shower, we don’t have clothes. We just want a clean safe place to serve our quarantine. That’s all we ask. I’m usually very strong but I’ve lost it the last couple days. Anxiety attacks. We just want to be treated with dignity and we don’t have it.”
The couple will be in quarantine until March 26th.
They’re hoping that the state of Illinois will allow them to come home sooner, or at the very least, to be given a new room for the remainder of their quarantine.
According to the governor’ office, 51 Illinoisans are under quarantine at that Georgia military base. The governor’s office has been in contact with 36 of them. The others haven’t yet consented to releasing their names and contact information. The governor’s office has a point person handling this issue and the office has also been reaching out to legislators with constituents in quarantine.
The governor’s office says more people are being diagnosed with COVID-19 since they got off the ship and there’s no safe way to transport these folks back to Illinois without infecting more people.
* Pritzker press secretary Jordan Abudayyeh…
Following the guidance of medical professionals, the Governor’s Office has made the difficult decision to keep cruise ship passengers in isolation for 14 days until they are cleared to safely travel back home to Illinois. Understanding the hardship this poses, staff from the Governor’s Office have been in direct contact with the passengers to ensure their needs are being met. The Governor himself has also talked with the federal government to make requests for the passengers. There are no easy decisions, but our administration is working to prioritize the health and safety of everyone who calls Illinois home.
The quarantine lasts 14 days from the time they were moved off the ship. Releases will start around the 23rd or 24th, depending.
* Oklahoma’s governor pushed to bring his quarantined people back to their home state, but he is the same governor who did this…
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, who faced swift backlash since tweeting a photo of himself and his children at a crowded restaurant Saturday, declared a state of emergency on Sunday as the state announced its eighth case of coronavirus.
In the now-deleted tweet, Stitt said, “Eating with my kids and all my fellow Oklahomans at the @CollectiveOKC. It’s packed tonight!”
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* This just went out to House Democrats…
March 16, 2020
to: House Democratic Caucus Members
cc: Office of the Speaker Employees
from: Jessica Basham, Chief of Staff
re: Updates re: Session Schedule, COVID-19 Guidance
SESSION SCHEDULE
Members are advised to be prepared to return to Springfield for session at any time. Currently, the session schedule is being reviewed daily and should be considered “in flux.” Any call for session will not be made lightly – the greatest priority is the consideration of the health and safety of all our communities. A call to return to Springfield amidst this public health emergency would only occur if necessary. With that in mind, members should consider modes of transportation that present the least possibility of contact with others, as well as other measures to reduce possible exposure while in Springfield.
Our staff is communicating with the Governor’s Office and the other caucuses as we work to identify any needed legislation to address this situation, as well as anything that requires immediate action from a timing perspective. Further updates will follow as information becomes available.
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* Friday night at 6:30…
Lester Bovia will serve as Interim Inspector General of the Department of Children and Family Services. Bovia currently serves as Deputy General Counsel and Ethics Officer at the Illinois Human Rights Commission, where he was instrumental in the General Counsel’s office’s initiative to eliminate the Commission’s 2,500-case backlog. He has served the Commission for over 10 years, also serving as Acting General Counsel from October 2018 to January 2019 and as an administrative law judge since his start in September 2009. During his 22 years of legal experience, Bovia has practiced as a litigation associate at Winston and Strawn, as a conflicts attorney at Perkins Coie and as in-house counsel for a small restaurant chain. He also currently teaches as an adjunct law professor at DePaul University College of Law. Bovia earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law.
* Rumors have circled for a while now about how the governor was hoping to replace DCFS IG Meryl Paniak. I asked the governor’s office what was going on…
Meryl Paniak asked the Governor to withdraw her appointment as Inspector General at DCFS to pursue other opportunities. The Governor will appoint Lester Bovia as interim Inspector General at DCFS. He is an experienced attorney who recently served as Deputy General Counsel at the Illinois Human Rights Commission where he worked to eliminate the backlog at the agency. The administration will conduct a thorough search to name a permanent appointment.
* Hannah Meisel at the Daily Line…
Those in child welfare circles had for months heard the Pritzker administration had been looking for a replacement for Paniak, whose window of time to get Senate confirmation was running out in March. State Sen. Tony Munoz (D-Chicago), who chairs the Senate’s appointment committee, filed Paniak’s appointment message on March 5, 2019. But appointments only last for 60 legislative days, and Paniak’s was about to expire, despite efforts within the Senate to confirm Paniak before time ran out.
When asked by The Daily Line in January whether he was directing people in his administration to look for someone to replace Paniak, Pritzker said no.
“I’m not interviewing anybody for that position so I’m not sure why you’re asking that question,” Pritzker said. “I’m not interviewing anybody to replace that position.” […]
ACLU Illinois Director of Institutional Reform Heidi Dalenberg, who is in charge of a decades-old consent decree governing the treatment of Illinois foster children and DCFS as a whole, said in a statement Sunday that children in DCFS care “need a strong, experienced and fearless Inspector General.”
“While we do not know the details behind Ms. Paniak’s departure, her most recent report was well-researched and a helpful guide for those committed to reforming the Department,” Dalenberg said. “The next Inspector General for DCFS must be willing to be a straightforward and speak truth to power inside DCFS. The lives of children are at stake.”
* Meanwhile…
Recognizing the unprecedented challenges families, medical providers, and state agencies are facing from COVID-19, the launch of YouthCare services for DCFS youth in care will be postponed a minimum of 30 days, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services announced today.
Letters are being sent to all families and group homes informing them of this delay. In close coordination with the Illinois Department of Public Health and stakeholders across the state, HFS and DCFS will assess the timeline as we move forward and announce a new transition date as soon as possible.
“With more medical providers than ever, teams of dedicated care coordinators and other vital services never offered before, we look forward to offering this enhanced care to vulnerable youth as soon as possible,” said Theresa Eagleson, Director of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. “But the challenges facing our healthcare system and families at this time as a result of the coronavirus must be our top focus, and we are determined not to distract from those crucial priorities.”
“The safety and health of the children we serve is, and always will be, my top priority,” said Marc Smith, Director of the Department of Children and Family Services. “The transition to Managed Care will improve the coordination and access to health services for youth in care. But addressing the unprecedented crisis of COVID-19 outbreak must be a priority at the moment. Delaying the rollout will allow DCFS to remain focused on addressing the emerging challenges of COVID-19 and ensure a smooth transition to YouthCare in the months ahead.”
HFS and DCFS have been working closely with the ACLU and other crucial stakeholders to bolster several aspects of the program’s operations. YouthCare already offers more than three times as many medical providers as the current DCFS healthcare system. More than 90 percent of major providers in the current system have already joined YouthCare. The program also offers more providers across every major category than the current system, from hospitals and primary care physicians, to vision and dental.
…Adding… From Heidi Dalenberg, Director of Institutional Reform, ACLU of Illinois…
Governor Pritzker and his administration today showed true leadership and the right priorities in announcing a delay in the roll-out of a managed care system to direct health care for children under the care of DCFS. In light of the coronavirus crisis, it is the right decision. When this crisis passes, we stand ready to work with the Department and others in the State government to ready DCFS for this transition in a way that protects the children in our care.
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* Sun-Times on March 3rd…
If Illinois Democrats are looking for help in deciding among the dwindling field of presidential candidates, they shouldn’t look to Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
With just two weeks before the Illinois primary, the governor said Tuesday that he has no plans to join other Democrats across the country making endorsements.
“I’m for the Democrat,” Pritzker said. “I don’t know who is going to win in Illinois. I don’t know who is going to win the nomination. But I know one thing — Donald Trump has got to go.”
* Today…
Governor JB Pritzker is proud to announce his endorsement of Vice President Joe Biden for President. After witnessing the decisive winnowing of the field of Democratic candidates, Gov. JB Pritzker believes it’s time to unite and focus on ending Donald Trump’s presidency.
“As our nation faces some of the biggest challenges of our time, I know Vice President Joe Biden is the right candidate to beat Donald Trump and lead us into a new era,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “It’s time to unite as Democrats to restore respect to our nation’s highest office. Joe will stand on the side of working families and serve as a partner to us in Illinois as we work to create good paying jobs, expand healthcare and invest in education. After four years of Donald Trump’s failure to lead with honor, tell the truth, or stand up for the middle class, we need a steady hand and a President who is ready to move our nation past the divisiveness and vitriol that have become the norm in 2020. I trust Joe to lead with his head and heart, to do what’s right, and to get things done for the American people.”
* Tina Sfondeles had the scoop…
But by Sunday, Pritzker’s political team said the governor was making the endorsement, in part, to remind voters elections are still important, even as the nation and state grapple with the coronavirus outbreak. Despite some concerns over voter turnout, Pritzker on Sunday said the election would not be delayed.
“Democracy must continue,” Pritzker said at a Chicago news conference Sunday. “We have to elect leaders, even in less than ideal circumstances.” […]
Biden now has the backing of Mayor Lori Lightfoot and three African American members of Congress from Illinois — Rush and Reps. Danny Davis and Robin Kelly, whose districts have the highest concentration of black voters in the state.
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Just a reminder…
Monday, Mar 16, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I’ve been putting most closure notices and related items on the live coverage post. They’re coming in way too fast and I need to focus on other stuff.
Thanks for your understanding. How are you holding up?
…Adding… State parks have been closed and video gaming has been suspended. Yeah, I know what I said in the first sentence, but those are kinda big.
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BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
Monday, Mar 16, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* AP…
States across the U.S. are allocating hundreds of millions of dollars to respond to the coronavirus, even as the U.S. government prepares to send billions more their way.
Many states have built up sizable stockpiles in their “rainy day” funds during several robust years of tax collections. Some governors and state lawmakers now are tapping into those savings for emergency expenses. Others are looking to set aside even more in reserve, fearing the economic uncertainties stemming from the coronavirus could send tax revenues into a tailspin.
* Scroll down…
“It definitely has the potential to have a significant impact on state budgets — both on the spending and revenue side,” said Brian Sigritz, director of state fiscal studies at the National Association of State Budget Officers.
“One positive, if you want to use that word, is that this is coming after a period where states have seen strong revenue growth for the past couple of years … and have been able to increase the size of their rainy day funds and reserves,” Sigritz added.
I CANNOT STOP LAUGHING!
Illinois’ rainy day fund is like a dollar forty-seven.
Man… It’s… It’s gonna be bad… So bad… So, so bad.
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The session is looking thin
Monday, Mar 16, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…
The Senate Democrats caucused by phone last week. Among other things, members heard updates about what is happening in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Senate President Don Harmon told members that he, the other legislative leaders and the governor are working on a list of must-pass bills.
One of the bills that is causing some worry is a change to the hospital assessment law, which is about to expire at the end of the fiscal year. Failure to pass a new law could result in a $3.5 billion hit to the state budget, so it’s pretty darned important.
But the legislation needs to be passed well before the end of the fiscal year because the federal government requires 90 days to study and approve the proposal.
House Majority Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago) confirmed to me that the Illinois Department of Health and Family Services, which handles Medicaid, must submit its proposal to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) “by April 1.”
Others have said the General Assembly has until April 2 to get this done, but the real issue is it looks right now that legislators will have to return to Springfield during an international pandemic when everything from sports teams to schools to churches are shutting down and the general public is panic-buying food and supplies and panic-selling stocks. It’s like a bad zombie apocalypse movie
Nobody said the job would be easy, I suppose, but I doubt if anyone saw this coming.
In the meantime, the complicated, highly technical negotiations over the program’s rewrite continue with twice-weekly meetings. The Illinois Hospital Association’s board meets on March 27th and those involved in the talks hope to have the powerful group’s tentative approval by then. That doesn’t leave much of a window of opportunity before April 1 or 2, but such is life.
The governor’s office was quick to tamp down fears that the state’s budget might take a $3.5 billion hit while other state revenues are very likely to tumble along with the markets and the economy. “We’re working to prioritize what needs to be done and how quickly we can do it,” said the governor’s press secretary Jordan Abudayyeh, adding that the government would do everything it possibly could to obtain federal approval of the state’s proposal.
Those efforts could include asking the federal government for additional time, with the hope that the escalating COVID-19 crisis will put the feds in a more forgiving mood.
Then again, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has lately taken to lobbing sharp criticisms at the Trump administration’s response to the outbreak and at President Donald Trump himself. Trump recently called Washington Gov. Jay Inslee a “snake” after Inslee criticized the administration’s handling of the situation on the ground in his hard-hit state.
You get a good look at someone’s character in times like these, so we’ll see how well everyone cooperates at the state and local levels when it comes to those “must-pass” bills and if anyone tries to play any games.
They need to pass a budget, perhaps a lump-sum or six-month (or both) budget to allow the state government to operate in these uncharted waters. Beyond that, there’s some cleanup work to do on some of the myriad laws the legislature passed in an end-of-session rush last May. They also may want to look at some legislation designed to help people, business and local governments get through this emergency. A Chicago casino might fit into that latter category since the city’s precariously ill-funded pension funds are undoubtedly taking a shellacking these days and the casino was designed to help two of the funds. Not to mention the state revenues that could be lost. The state backstops McPier’s bonds, and McCormick Place has lost over a half a dozen conventions in the past several days with more cancellations guaranteed, so that probably needs to be looked at. I could go on, but you get the idea.
Decades of misfeasance and malfeasance have left the state with zero cushion to handle the coming blows. The same goes for the city and for far too many other municipal entities throughout the Prairie State.
”Together, we’ll find a way to the other side,” the governor pledged during a recent news conference. Let’s hope so, because that path is looking extremely perilous right now. At bare minimum, everyone at the top needs to pull together and stay together.
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