* Press release from the Illinois Conference of Churches…

The Leadership Team of the Illinois Conference of Churches (ICC) believes sheltering-in-place guidelines save lives during the Covid-19 pandemic. We support careful, evidence-based steps to re-open the economy.

​We believe that the health and safety of our wider community rises above individual autonomy in this unprecedented global emergency.

​Limiting public excursions for anything but essential purposes and exercise and the wearing of masks in public while practicing social distancing are practical ways of showing respect for the communities where we live and serve.

​But we don’t like it.

​Those we love and serve are hurting.

​We grieve the myriad losses our communities are experiencing, not the least of which is the loss of life. Even in the midst of this crisis, more have died in this country from the coronavirus than in the Vietnam War. Business owners, closed now for weeks, wonder how long and if they can hold on. Teachers and parents are struggling with teaching from home. Our front-line workers have held the line steadily with grace and courage. While some families are enjoying down time and togetherness, economic and social stresses are tearing others apart. Our state must rely on science-based directives so that we will properly protect the people who live here.

​While the CARES Act, unemployment benefits, and other programs are helping some, many people fall through the cracks. Small businesses, the homeless, the seriously disabled are struggling. There is evidence that the fault lines of race and economic disparity that have always divided our communities may widen. The pandemic has caused many problems for Black and Brown people because of employment as essential workers. Many are not eligible for the stimulus money or unemployment. Health care is not an option for part time workers while pre-existing medical conditions plague Hispanics and African Americans.

​While we do not know what science will indicate about coming back together for worship, movies, concerts, and even haircuts, we are hopeful that human kindness, not to mention the grace of God, will flourish just as wildly as springtime is blooming across our state.

​We are in prayer for our beloved state and her people, particularly mindful of those whose lives and livelihoods are most endangered.

The Leadership Team of the Illinois Conference of Churches

​We represent approximately seven million Illinois Christians in 13 denominations.

* We talked yesterday about IRMA’s report of problems at retail establishments caused by mask-haters. From the Sun-Times…

Stores have done their part to institute the policy meant to curtail the spread of the virus, said [IRMA CEO Rob Karr], whose association represents hundreds of retailers statewide. Under Pritzker’s extended stay-at-home order effective through May, merchants have posted signs and played recordings over sound systems about the face covering requirement.

“But retailers are in no position to enforce it,” Karr said. “We can’t physically restrain anyone, so anyone can walk right by, and we can’t do anything about it.” […]

“But it doesn’t take a huge problem. It takes one argument that turns into something more serious,” Karr said. “We want to avoid something tragic.”

Karr called on the state to issue “a clear direction that local law enforcement have the responsibility here” in enforcing the face covering requirement.

* This is a 430,000-square-foot facility employing nearly 2,000 workers that produces enough food for nine million meals each day…

There has been an outbreak of COVID-19 at a JBS USA pork processing plant in Beardstown, with at least 30 people having tested positive for the virus, officials said Tuesday.

“I can confirm an outbreak,” said Melaney Arnold, spokeswoman for the Illinois Department of Public Health.

The plant is located in Cass County, which as of Tuesday reported 44 positive cases including the infected JBS plant workers, according to Teresa Armstrong, public health administrator. There have been no COVID-19-related deaths in the county. […]

Armstrong said it is possible that beyond the 30 people who work at the plant — either for JBS or for contractors who provide services such as security, cleaning or cafeteria work — live in other counties and are being reported as cases there, she said.

* Tribune live blog…

Latino communities in Illinois see uptick in COVID-19 confirmed cases: ‘Physical distancing is a privilege’

For National Nurses Week, we asked Chicago-area nurses what their new norm looks like. Here’s what they had to say.

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Pitchfork Music Festival in Chicago canceled due to coronavirus

Former CPS head Barbara Byrd-Bennett, convicted of corruption, moved from prison to Ohio halfway house as part of COVID-19 program

‘Mommy’s not coming back.’ Another Chicago-area nurse dies of COVID-19.

* Sun-Times live blog…

State rep wants to talk about race, face masks and why a cop stopped him outside a South Loop store

Amazon warehouse worker tests positive for COVID-19 after demonstrating for safer conditions

Uber to lay off 3,700 workers and CEO to waive salary

22nd employee contracts COVID-19 at Cook County Circuit Court Clerk’s office

‘Stay Home Save Lives’ gear inspired by Lightfoot memes to aid coronavirus relief

Two people are dead among 85 workers at CPS schools who have tested positive for COVID-19, officials say.

5 more Chicago Police Department employees test positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday.

Will future generations understand what the Virus War of 2020 was really like?

Lake County judge tests positive for COVID-19