91 Comments - Nova - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 10:57 am: I see no problem with it. Aren’t we currently in Passover? We still need to be informed and it doesn’t really conflict with observing the holiday for Christians. - ChicagoVinny - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 10:57 am: I’ve found the Governor’s briefings calming and reassuring, and I’m not religious, so I voted ‘full steam ahead’. - Linus - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 10:58 am: COVID takes no holiday; neither should these briefings. Plus, what would Jeanne Ives say? Pritzker & team are doing a good job of keeping us informed. - Anyone Remember - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 10:59 am: IF he takes off Easter, then he should take off ALL religious holidays. - efudd - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 10:59 am: Do it. Covid doesn’t know Easter from Festivus. - frisbee - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 10:59 am: Voted Full Steam Ahead because some folks don’t celebrate Easter and for those that do it may provide a larger audience. Daily updates are critical given the intensity of the situation and our proximity to the potential peak of cases. - RWP - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:00 am: Since everyone will be force to celebrate Easter in while social distancing, which many will find extraordinary, the Governor should keep the updates coming. - Anonymous - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:00 am: We can survive one day without it. Let him have the day off. - Boone's is Back - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:00 am: Not everyone celebrates and I think it’s important to frame how the next week is going to be. - Moe Berg - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:00 am: The virus isn’t taking the day off. The doctors, nurses, hospital workers and first responders are not taking the day off. “All In Illinois” has multiple meanings. The daily briefings are counted among the steps Pritzker has taken that are correct and will be a part of any playbook for elected officials responding to similar future crises. - FinanceCIty - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:01 am: Keep the briefing…it is keeping people focused. Maybe make it a little shorter on Easter. - Fairycat - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:01 am: Full steam ahead. Recognizing one religious holiday without recognizing all religious holidays goes against the inclusiveness he’s trying to show. - Give Us Barabbas - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:04 am: I’d say go with it, and perhaps, it would be good to ask Cardinal Cupich, a Baptist preacher, a Rabbi and an Imam to all make brief statements in support? I don’t know that’s it’s wise or necessary for them to appear at the Thompson Center for that - perhaps just reading their statements aloud would suffice. I understand about Church & state Separation; this would not be government supporting religions, but rather, religious people supporting a government decision. - Excitable Boy - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:04 am: Keep it, he’s doing a great job keeping people informed and most people won’t be having a traditional Easter anyway. - KevS - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:05 am: Now more than ever. - Norseman - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:05 am: Whether for it’s religious significance or not, let it be a day of quiet for contemplation of those suffering and at risk and for thankfulness for those on the frontlines. - walker - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:06 am: What Moe Berg said. - In 630 - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:07 am: I went with skip it- but really more as a default plan but if there’s a development that needs a briefing, do it. Which means there probably would be a briefing anyway. Totally thought myself into a circle. - Grandson of Man - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:07 am: Full steam ahead. The info is too important. There should not be a special exemption made for any religion. - West Sider - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:07 am: I voted “yes”, for the reasons others have ably articulated. But- I am also concerned about exhaustion on the part of the governor’s staff. The amount of preparation necessary for the daily briefings must be extensive. - welp ok - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:07 am: Depends on if there is new important info to share with the public - if not a press release with updated numbers would be fine. - Chicagonk - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:08 am: Skip it. I think many people are getting “briefed” out. I also think these briefings can be a drain on the people putting them together everyday and I’m sure that they could use a day of rest. - Now What? - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:08 am: Full Steam Ahead, now more than ever. - Pundent - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:08 am: Voted full steam ahead. I don’t consider the updates intrusive and for anyone that feels they shouldn’t be provided on Easter they can tune out. - tomhail - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:09 am: Skip it unless there is info that can’t wait until Monday. - SOIL M - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:09 am: Take a day off. He needs it. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:12 am: Full steam ahead. It will be good for the morale of those working, be they in hospitals… or grocery stores… that this governor and his crew are “All In” too. - 618er - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:16 am: I voted he could skip it, only because I feel if it’s a holiday he and his family celebrate, he can take the day off. If they don’t celebrate it, he can still take the day off. He probably could use it. This has to be weighing in him more than we all realize - Back to the Future - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:21 am: Easter with JB? Needlessly disrespectful to millions of Illinois folks. I will say skip it. - 32nd Ward Roscoe Village - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:21 am: Full steam ahead for all the reasons cited above. - Earnest - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:23 am: I voted yes out of respect for all those essential workers who will be on the job that day taking care of sick and vulnerable people and attending to the rest of the things we all need taken care of. I would support him turning the briefing over to others once a week to engage in a self-care activity to keep himself healthy. - JoanP - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:23 am: Why? He doesn’t observe Easter. He’s Jewish. If he’s not taking Passover off, why should he take Easter off? - Rich Hill - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:24 am: He’s doing it during Passover, why wouldn’t he do it at Easter? The former is a Jewish holiday. - Ron Burgundy - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:25 am: Do it. They provide important information. If people don’t want to pay attention that day or any other, they don’t have to. - MakePoliticsCoolAgain - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:26 am: Voted skip. As important as these press conferences are, folks need a day off (aka working from home, not being in the public). Staffs providing essential services are still taking at least one day off a week. The mind, body and soul need a respite IMHO. - Steve - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:28 am: I trust JB to do the right thing here. If he feels it’s necessary, then he’ll say something. - bogey golfer - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:28 am: Unless there is significant news that cannot wait until Monday, skip it. - Back to the Future - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:29 am: He should take off Passover too. I have listened to some of the Pressers on some days. I do appreciate the effort, but for the most part I am on board with probably 11 million Illinois residents that just catch what I think I need to know from local news. - thunderspirit - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:29 am: As long as there are updates to share, Gov. Pritzker should continue to give them. As others have capably pointed out, “All In Illinois” means all in. - Pundent - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:29 am: == Needlessly disrespectful to millions of Illinois folks.==. I didn’t realize that tuning in was mandatory. - In_The_Middle - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:31 am: I voted Skip this once. But brainstorming here… maybe do a pre-recorded message with the daily updates sans media questions. Then full steam ahead on Monday. - truthtopower - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:35 am: It is not based on The Gov’s religion; it is out of respect for Christians, as isn’t Easter the holiest day of the year for them? I once got chewed out just for sending a fax on Easter to a very observant Catholic lawyer! Nevertheless, I voted full steam ahead, but suggest an abbreviated briefing that actually is brief! - Back to the Future - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:35 am: Pundent Good point. I just think Gov. J.B. and his staff could be doing something more productive on Easter than holding a press conference. - Kippax Blue - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:38 am: If he skips now, then to keep good form he would have to skip the Festivus address, too. The Governor has been performing feats of strength for some time now; I want to hear his Airing of Grievances in December (when we are hopefully thru this!). - Pundent - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:38 am: So you don’t think the daily updates are productive? - Ducky LaMoore - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:38 am: I didn’t vote. And I don’t care. It does not matter. There are good reasons for either option. - Nearly Normal - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:40 am: Yes. Transparency is important. This disease is not going to take a day off. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:43 am: I’d be far more inclined to have the Guv, and his Crew as needed, take *Saturday* off, no brief, no notes, and symbolically be there on *Sunday*. I don’t want anyone in any of these positions, medical personnel, to grocery workers, to all those out there, they all need “a day”. Saturday vs. Sunday. - Rutro - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:46 am: Press conf. can be short, but is necessary - Leatherneck - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:47 am: I voted Yes. Go ahead and do an abbreviated presser on Sunday, with updates only. But no reporter questions for one day. Their questions can wait–and maybe be answered–on Monday. - PMSaremyinitials - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:50 am: Full steam ahead. Everyone isn’t a Christian, and many Christian celebrate the following week too. I oddly find myself looking forward to these briefings. We need stability and he’s giving us a little. - Glengarry - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:58 am: The governor has been one of the adults in the room since day 1. Keep on going full steam ahead. I appreciate his calm demeanor and practical information. It’s one of the press briefings I go out of my way to watch. - Minnow - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 12:04 pm: Full steam ahead, as others have said. The daily updates are looked forward to at the minnow homestead. A trustworthy & calming source of info on our state. - dbk - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 12:09 pm: Voted “Full Steam Ahead.” As strange as it sounds, I find Pritzker’s daily press briefings lend some sanity and calm to the overall situation - I listen to Cuomo, too, but prefer Priztker, who interweaves science and humanity - and sincerity. He and his staff, however, do need rest - perhaps as soon as Illinois has peaked, they should scale back somewhat, depending on the curve’s progress. - Flapdoodle - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 12:10 pm: Full steam ahead. The pressers are a government function which has become essential as a major source of reliable Illinois-centric information. Essential government functions, especially in times of need, should not be cancelled for religious holidays. Those who wish not to watch need not do so, those who do wish to do so may. Note that this does not work the other way around (cancellation is for all, not just some. - Anonymous - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 12:12 pm: How much new information do we get? Aside from a number, there’s not that much that changes in 24 hours. A lot of these pressers sound like repeats, with just the numbers changed. - Wylie Coyote - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 12:13 pm: Trump bashing takes no holiday….. - Mr. Smith - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 12:14 pm: I think that While there are a lot of us who appreciate the daily updates, there are a sizeable number of people who might find it offensive. If he does it, I’d hope he would keep it short, upbeat, and as on-message as possible. And I’d second the idea of no reporter questions for that day only. - A-nonny-nonny - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 12:18 pm: Voted yes. Since the Public Health Labs will be open for restring, our ultimate boss Should be working as well. - Robert Montgomery - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 12:19 pm: Voted to have the briefing. Still need to keep people informed, no matter the holiday. Consistency of message is key. Stay well everyone. - Anonish - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 12:21 pm: Full steam ahead from a catholic - efudd - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 12:23 pm: “Trump bashing takes” Man, you Trump supporters are about as soft as your omnipotent savior. - Morningstar - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 12:29 pm: Yes - his messages are truthful and reassuring. We need them as much on a Christian religious holiday as we do on any other day. - My 2 Cents - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 12:36 pm: I voted skip. It has nothing to do with Easter. I just think the guy needs a day off and most of us could use a break from the doom and gloom news. Skipping one day isn’t going to change anything. Covid-19 will still be around come Monday. Let the man rest and relax. - the Patriot - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 12:37 pm: As to the Holiday a pol should take the holiday they observe if they take one. Just be real, most people appreciate that. He doesn’t need to do it every day anyway. It devalues what he has to say, but I am downstate so rarely says anything relevant anyway. He needs to realize he is not Trump(not a crime) and he will never be President. Let those with relevant information speak, otherwise telling me the same thing I can read or he did yesterday is pointless. - lake county democrat - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 12:43 pm: A lot of people are involved in putting the daily briefings together, with surely some observant/deeply religious Christians among them. No judgment either way, but if he wants to give his team a break on such an important holiday to so many, that’s fine. - Six Feet of Separation (temporary name) - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 12:48 pm: If he wants to do it, I have no problem. An afternoon briefing won’t conflict with most services. - Oswego Willy - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 12:49 pm: ===…but I am downstate so rarely says anything relevant anyway. He needs to realize he is not Trump(not a crime) and he will never be President.=== Now *say* all that without mouth breathing. If you’re concern is more about saying “he won’t be president” versus “hey, everyone needs a rest, governors too”, then your concern isn’t at all about what you think it is. My hope, be it Saturday, Sunday, someday, the Guv and members of his crew get “a day”… and doctors, nurses, all… they get “a day”. A human feeling of appreciation isn’t measured by a want to measure politics. - Candy Dogood - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 12:51 pm: Full steam ahead. We’re not a theocracy and the public having the ability to have access to their leadership during this crisis is more important than a holiday that is important to Christians and celebrated with confusing pagan idolatry using a term borrowed from Germanic pagans. I know it’s important, but we celebrate it with people in bunny suits and by hiding eggs. ===Needlessly disrespectful to millions of Illinois folks.=== Let me know when the State makes Christmas Eve and Good Friday official state holidays and we can start talking about how serious we all feel about this topic. - Minnow - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 12:53 pm: Minnow lives far far downstate. The Gov’s daily briefings have become a touchstone to how the rest of the state is doing. With a mother in a local locked down assisted living - any & all COVID19 info is relevant. With family & friends scattered throughout IL, hearing the stories (& reading highlights here) help put context (& hope) to the #’s on the IDPH website. - zatoichi - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 1:09 pm: Full steam. Be brief, but stay consistent with the tough current events needing special effort. I like Barabbas’ idea of the four religious leaders giving a word. I am not religious but inclusion/team work/ support is never a bad thing - Kathryn - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 1:18 pm: Full steam ahead. He keeps us informed, He tells the us the truth about what is going on. - Cheryl44 - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 1:37 pm: Voted yes. Elected officials don’t really get days off, even in more normal times. - MooMee - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 1:45 pm: Full steam ahead. Gov Pritzker’s briefings are honest and informative. It is good to see\hear a daily dose of leadership. - JoanP - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 1:54 pm: I just want to point out that the Easter Bunny will not be taking the day off, at least not in New Zealand: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/04/06/world/australia/jacinda-ardern-easter-bunny-essential-worker-tooth-fairy.html - SSL - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 1:55 pm: Full steam ahead. Keep everyone focused until you are ready to declare it is under control. We aren’t there yet and no reason for people to think they don’t need to follow all the rules. - NeverPoliticallyCorrect - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 2:04 pm: Honestly, there have been very few items that couldn’t wait a day. Most of the information shared is available or could be on a website. This goes for the feds also. - Anonymous - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 2:09 pm: I voted skip it, but my opinion is in the middle. If he’s particularly religious and wants to set an example on how to observe safely, I think that would be good. Otherwise, it would be a helpful demonstration of leadership to give the briefing regardless of the holiday. - Commisar Gritty - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 2:25 pm: To the people who are saying it would be offensive to the holiday, here is your regular reminder that the USA is not entirely populated by Evangelicals. To the people who are saying we should give the guy the day off to observe with his family, reminder that he is Jewish and Easter isn’t any different from Saturnalia to us. Separation of church and state *gasp* - Huh? - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 2:43 pm: Voted full steam ahead. Pritzker’s news conference is a daily breath of fresh air. A significant counterweight to the noise coming from the east. A calming influence. - Froganon - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 3:03 pm: Skip it. Unless something apocolyptic happens, give these folks a break for Easter. We’re in a marathon here and everyone needs to have some downtime if and when possible. - Joe Bidenopolous - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 3:26 pm: Why would he? So that I can have a day of not going to church and not having dinner with my extended family? He’s sacrificing and doing it during Passover. Not sure why he wouldn’t do the same for Easter. - Anonymous - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 4:25 pm: Unless there is urgent new information, it should be skipped. It’s bad enough that we cannot worship in our churches. - Dome Gnome - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 4:34 pm: Full steam ahead. Why favor this one religion? Bring on the scientists and public health experts, please. - A Guy - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 5:08 pm: Depends. If necessary, he should. If no material change, skip it for a day. - Top of the State - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 5:12 pm: How many Illinoisans are actually listening to Pritzker?Perhaps they are watching the national newscasts or online sources. And some simply are not watching any media, but hearing news second hand from friends/family. Skip the Sunday briefing. - JoanP - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 5:28 pm: =It is not based on The Gov’s religion; it is out of respect for Christians, as isn’t Easter the holiest day of the year for them? = And maybe he shouldn’t do it during Passover out of respect for his co-religionists. And maybe he shouldn’t do it during Ramadan out of respect for Illinois’ Muslim population. And not on April 19 out of respect for Orthodox Christians. I fail to see how having a press briefing on an issue crucial to his constituents is disrespectful to *anyone*. - Flapdoodle - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 5:28 pm: @Top of the State — So we should just let willful ignorance be the deciding factor? People want to be dumb, that’s on them, but they don’t get to push it on the rest of us. - Rich Miller - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 6:23 pm: === it is out of respect for Christians=== It’s just a good day to take off. That’s all it has to be. - RDB - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 8:13 pm: A lot of the information could be released through the press just as it is now with IDPH. Give the update of new cases and deaths. He could do this on weekends going forward. - 37B - Thursday, Apr 9, 20 @ 11:33 pm: Voted “Full speed” because there was no “Half speed” option. The virus doesn’t observe religious holidays. As a nod to Those who observe Easter I think it would be nice to know the Governor is personally making the time to inform us of the current status but make it a little shorter than normal with additional information available on-line. Sorry, comments for this post are now closed.