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.]
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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.”
