* From the two GOP legislative leaders…
Governor Pritzker,
Like you, we believe our top priority during these unprecedented events is the health and wellbeing of our citizens. We also believe it our goal as leaders to address the economic crisis facing our state as well. As other states have laid out less restrictive paths toward reopening, like New York that is partly opening this week, we believe Illinois needs to follow suit.
Last week, you unveiled your Restore Illinois plan that we believe is far too restrictive to those businesses struggling to stay afloat economically during this crisis. Furthermore, the parameters your plan puts in place in determining when a region can move between phases will only cause further economic hardship to small businesses and our state.
To that end, we stand in support of the Illinois Municipal League’s call for revisions to your plan. Specifically, we endorse their call to see our state use the 14-day period before moving between phases, not the 28 days your plan imposes. We believe this adjustment, coupled with using the 11 hospital regions that are already in place, would be a positive first step forward in assuaging the economic devastation this crisis is causing.
Furthermore, we are also asking that you call a special session of the Illinois General Assembly so that we can further discuss and develop the necessary adjustments to your plan that protects the public’s health while at the same time moves our economy forward more quickly.
We stand ready to return to the people’s Capitol to work together during this critical period in our state’s history.
Sincerely,
Bill Brady
Senate Republican Leader 44th District
Jim Durkin
House Republican Leader 82nd District
OK, but Gov. Cuomo said last week that no region was on track to reopen…
And, as I told subscribers last week, people generally don’t do nuance. They see New York’s 14 days and the White House’s 14 days and Pritzker’s 28 days and freak out. A 14-day timeline doesn’t mean it’ll happen in 14 days. I don’t think any state could advance to the next level under the White House plan for quite a while, and it’s not certain that any region in New York will get to the next level by May 18th. But that’s on Gov. Pritzker to explain. He hasn’t done a good job of that to date.
…Adding… Three New York regions are allowed to partially reopen, according to news reports today. But they’re reopening includes manufacturing and construction. Most manufacturing and construction here has carried on throughout.
Also, calling the General Assembly into special session won’t do much good unless the majority party leaders are ready to do something (see Rod Blagojevich). At least one of those leaders doesn’t yet appear ready. At least, he’s not ready to come back this week because he canceled session last week.
* Smart take from Laurence Msall…
University of Pennsylvania Professor Robert Inman recently projected that U.S. states and their local governments will lose $275 billion in sales and income taxes in the coming fiscal year—a 20 percent decline. California officials anticipate an upcoming $54.3 billion deficit that would deplete the state’s rainy day fund multiple times over. Illinois faces a shortfall of as much as $7.4 billion next fiscal year as a result of ongoing economic disruption. Chicago, Peoria, Rockford and cities in every state are experiencing similarly dramatic revenue losses.
While some entered the pandemic in stable financial condition, and some much less so, all of our state and local governments are now or will soon be in major distress. No state or local government can be faulted for the economic calamity caused by the coronavirus. Nor does any state or local government have the capacity to weather this crisis on its own.
The U.S. government is the only entity that can—and therefore must—take action to help all of its governments. Calls to exclude the Illinois, Chicago or other major governments from future rounds of relief because of past bad fiscal decisionmaking are misguided and threaten full national economic recovery.
Our city and state continue to face financial and governance challenges of their own creation. Entire columns can be (and have been) written on what our state and city need to do to help themselves: Pension reform. Increased efficiencies. Property tax relief. Government consolidation.
However, as the nation’s fifth largest economy, Illinois serves as an essential hub for national and international commerce. And as Illinois’ economic engine, Chicago supports substantial portions of not only the State of Illinois’ economy but also the Midwest and national economies.
* Press release…
The Horsemen and Women of Fairmount Park to Rally for safe, spectator-free racing!
In a sign of solidarity, Fairmount Park Horsemen are holding a rally parade in an attempt to convey to the Governor’s Office the desperation to return safely to spectator-free racing. As owners, trainers, and employees in the agriculture industry – the men and women of Fairmount Park have been working daily caring for the equine workforce. During the winter months these athletes get a much-deserved rest but maintain a race-ready fitness during racing season leaving them ready yet dormant until the current restrictions are released.
Some 200 employees currently living and working at Fairmount Park will only require an additional 25 people on the grounds to race a safe, spectator-free racing. All of this can be safely executed while maintaining CDC guidelines for public safety allowing us to take care of ourselves, our families, and contribute to the local and state economies. So many businesses do not have the luxury of safely returning to work while being able to maintain social distancing and restricting groupings, we can. We humbly request the ability to do our jobs while safely staying within all guidelines requested of us.
We are not asking Illinois to venture into the unknown during these uncertain times. Spectator- free racing is currently being conducted all across the United States in Oklahoma, Florida, Nebraska, California and beginning May 16th in our neighboring state of Kentucky.
The Rally Parade for Racing at Fairmount Park will be through Collinsville, IL at 1pm on Tuesday. Instead of Fairmount Park’s “Horse Hooky Tuesday” Racing event, we’ll be rallying for racing! We hope to see you there!
* Sun-Times live blog…
‘Those who can pay rent must’: Chicagoland Apartment Association fears ‘tremendous amount of foreclosures’
Aldermen protect workers from retaliation for COVID-related absences, ease up on businesses
Risk of reopening US economy too fast: A W-shaped recovery
MLB’s coronavirus antibody test for employees yields 0.7% positive rate
A Cook County Jail correctional officer died Sunday of apparent complications of COVID-19.
Time for Illinois Legislature to get back to work — safely and remotely
* Tribune live blog…
MLB owners approve a plan to start the season — without fans — in July
Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers allows nearly all nonessential businesses to reopen with limits
Chicago to open six more testing sites in neighborhoods, will try to reach 10,000 tests per day goal
Northwestern University furloughs staff, cuts leaders’ pay to address financial fallout of pandemic
Abbott Labs prepares to ship antibody tests after obtaining emergency use approval from FDA
Lightfoot criticizes Northwest Side church for holding in-person Sunday services
A majority of Americans disapprove of protests against state coronavirus restrictions, though support for closures dips, poll shows
Food, iPads, care packages part of groundswell of donations to Roseland hospital following Tribune story
Legal aid organizations strained by increase in pandemic-related cases, including domestic violence, unemployment claims
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 2:30 pm:
Dear Leaders Durkin and Brady,
Has Illinois even had 14 days of decline?
Your plea would have more zip if there was… 14 days of decline.
How many days of measured decline has Illinois had.
Not New York, Illinois, how many days of decline has this state had?
Thanks.
- NotRich - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 2:34 pm:
during a special session the FIRST meeting should be the 2 Republican Leaders and the eastern and southern bloc members of their caucuses.. You know, the ones who haven’t social distanced, worn a face covering, and have been in groups of larger than 10.. When Brady & Durkin are prepared to meet in a small office with that group THEN they can call for a special session..
- Fighter of Foo - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 2:35 pm:
Legal aid organizations strained by increase in pandemic-related cases, including domestic violence, unemployment claims.
I think this letter is well written and will be appreciated by a silent majority of folks to scared to say this out loud. There needs to be some opposition to JB’s plan.
- Moe Berg - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 2:37 pm:
===Furthermore, we are also asking that you call a special session of the Illinois General Assembly so that we can further discuss and develop the necessary adjustments to your plan that protects the public’s health while at the same time moves our economy forward more quickly.===
GOP Leaders: As I said when Rep. McDermed offered a similarly vague notion: don’t hide your lights under a bushel.
Why does the GA need to be reconvened to discuss your “adjustments”? Let’s have that discussion first, so it would merely be a formality to unanimously approve them all in a lightening fast session.
Put them all out there for us to see, evaluate and discuss: public health experts, doctors and nurses, economists, insurance companies, the media and, heck, even regular old citizens, too.
Otherwise, it kinda seems like you may not be totally serious (about anything other than political grandstanding).
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 2:37 pm:
=== silent majority===
There is no silent majority.
There is a “noisy” super minority, that will protest for 2-3 hours at a time.
With respect.
- In 630 - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 2:38 pm:
The critics would be best served advocating for plans for increased testing and accelerating the plans for tracing, wide spread communication about places covid+ individuals can go to isolate away from families. Permanent changes to food processing safety, Illinois companies pivoting to producing testing materials, municipalities to designate all but their primary routes as open for pedestrians and cyclists. Things that would actually make it possible to “reopen”and give people outlets for their energy. Otherwise, they just aren’t about safety.
- Phenomynous - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 2:40 pm:
Five of those NY regions are only being held back because of testing availability.
- Logical Thinker - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 2:51 pm:
The silent majority is comprised of the people resuming activities of their “normal” lives. Anecdotal evidence is found in traffic patterns and yes, even delays on highways around the Chicago area which have returned in the last week. Can’t keep the lid on the pot forever; people vote with their actions more than anything else.
- Fixer - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 2:51 pm:
I keep hearing about this “silent majority” from GOP types yet every single indicator shows they simply don’t exist. Maybe show us where you’re getting your numbers of people from. Because farmland doesn’t count as a voter.
- Anyone Remember - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 2:52 pm:
Phenomynous - “Five of those NY regions are only being held back because of testing availability.” Testing ability - would that be “unknown unknowns” ?? I would refer you to this. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REWeBzGuzCc
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 2:53 pm:
===Anecdotal evidence===
This is like “The Onion”
===even delays on highways around the Chicago area which have returned in the last week.===
Cite please.
Also, ridership on Metra, the El, and buses too.
Thanks.
- Hamlet's Ghost - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 2:54 pm:
If I understand correctly, JB’s proposed 28 day test is actually easier to achieve with than the 14 day test based on the benchmarks described in the White House plan. (Different benchmarks.)
If that’s correct then rather than explain, maybe say: “Okay we will apply the 14 day plan, using the White House benchmarks.”
Give Leader Durkin & Leader Brady the appearance of win rather than trying to do nuance. In exchange for something to be determined.
- Fighter of Foo - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 2:55 pm:
Logical…That’s my point, we were pounded with flatten the curve. The NY press conference was a daily occurrence. Just because people aren’t in organized protests, doesn’t mean my eyes are lying with the influx of traffic. JB can have a plan, but the masses are truly waking up that we were never as bad as NY. So, treating us in the same “conversation” is blatantly political. More people will be infected when we open. More will be infected as we don’t open. Time to open.
- Brian G - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 2:55 pm:
They have conducted an experiment in East Peoria where the mayor proposed a reopening earlier in definace of Governor Pritzker’s shelter in place order. Guess what? People are staying home. A few mom and pop shops on Main St and Beck’s florist opened, but they have very few customers. Not that the Peoria Journal Star is rushing out to report that fact.
- Pundent - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 2:58 pm:
=Specifically, we endorse their call to see our state use the 14-day period before moving between phases, not the 28 days your plan imposes.=
The problem with this statement is that it doesn’t recognize that the criteria of these phases is different. The 14 day requirement in the federal plan is based on a decline in cases. But that measurement was always flawed in that it assumed that testing would remain static. You want to encourage more testing not less. And the more you test the more cases you will have. In that sense the 14 day measurement becomes a moving, if not unattainable, target. In fact it would actually encourage states to test fewer people if for no other reason than to lower the positive case count.
What’s more important is the positive test rate and there’s encouragement that with more tests that rate is actually coming down. Pritzker’s measurement is based on a decline in hospitalizations. That’s actually a much better measurement as it’s separate and distinct from the number of tests we perform and addresses the main concern which is that we blow through our capacity of beds and ventilators.
I can’t take Durkin and Brady seriously until they acknowledge the differences in these plans and measurements. Otherwise they’re just playing politics.
- Logical Thinker - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 2:59 pm:
Both the Stevenson and Eisenhower expressways had traffic jams last Friday afternoon from 3-6 pm. You can fetch the data as I know it happened since I was in it.
- Phenomynous - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 3:03 pm:
Can anyone explain why the 28 day window starts on May 1? Seems if declines were happening in April then they should be counted. There is nothing really special about the May 1 date.
- @misterjayem - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 3:14 pm:
“the masses are truly waking up that we were never as bad as NY.”
And anyone with a lick of sense should thank JB Pritzker for doing the work to make it so.
– MrJM
- Oswego Willy - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 3:17 pm:
=== And anyone with a lick of sense should thank JB Pritzker for doing the work to make it so.===
Same folks, they angry that McCormick Place was never fully utilized. Trying to figure out how that’s a bad thing “right now” in the middle of the crisis.
- Demoralized - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 3:28 pm:
=Can anyone explain why the 28 day window starts on May 1?==
You gotta pick a date and I’m assuming that’s the date since that is when the newest order took effect.
- White Power Ranger - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 3:32 pm:
Does Illinois have an exhibit similar to the Regional Status exhibit Gov Cuomo has published? Again, IMO, Cuomo is showing superior leadership compared to our state.
- DuPage Saint - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 3:56 pm:
It is obvious and hidden in plain site why they started on May first. Mayday. The international the rise of the workers and the beginning of the end of capitalism. /s
- 47th Ward - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 3:57 pm:
I agree completely with Lawrence Msall. Wise words from a smart guy. Hope the feds listen.
- Norseman - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 4:17 pm:
=== … we believe our top priority during these unprecedented events is the health and wellbeing of our citizens. ===
This has not been demonstrated by the leaders or their caucuses. What we’re seeing for the most part are GOP pols pushing the open now narrative to the detriment to the health and wellbeing of the citizens of the state. If the GOP’s shrill response to public health oriented efforts to contain the pandemic wasn’t so pathetic, Brady and Durkin’s health priority line would be laughable.
- ryan - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 4:24 pm:
I trust that the GOP leaders were wrong about New York.
However, given that several NY regions were only held back by numbers of tests and numbers of contract tracers, and given that the overall NY state numbers are very close to the standards, I suspect those regions will quickly be able to raise test numbers and hire additional tracers.
- Bruce (no not him) - Monday, May 11, 20 @ 5:38 pm:
I see the White House plan mentioned. Is that the plan that is currently being ignored by the White House? or is there another one?
- LakeCo - Tuesday, May 12, 20 @ 10:00 am:
=More people will be infected when we open. More will be infected as we don’t open. Time to open.=
Far more people will be infected when we open. Fewer people will be infected as we don’t open. Time to wait until the medical experts give the green light.”
Fixed it for you.