* Hopefully, there’s nothing to worry about here…
Attention members and staff –
I have just been made aware that a member of the BoS Center staff has tested positive for COVID-19. This individual was NOT located in a space that was used for the special session or the public viewing area, and at this time it appears this individual had no interaction with any member or other staff person. This person worked one 8-hour shift on Thursday, May 21.
In an abundance of caution, I encourage everyone who has not already done so to be tested for the virus, monitor your health in the coming days, and isolate from interaction with others for 14 days after the conclusion of session. This is consistent with CDC guidance for those who believe they’ve been in close proximity with a COVID-positive individual, as well as our discussions prior to the beginning of special session.
It was an unprecedented step to hold session at the BoS Center, which greatly minimized the chance of exposure to the COVID-19 virus. This incident notwithstanding, I am not aware of any other person who has tested positive. I am working directly with BoS Staff and have asked that all BoS staff members get tested immediately and ensure that appropriate contact tracing efforts are underway.
Jessica Basham, Chief of Staff
Office of the Speaker
Illinois House of Representatives
- Marcos - Wednesday, May 27, 20 @ 6:00 pm:
I saw today (5/27) that the Central Region now does not qualify to move to Phase 3 on the Restore Illinois website. But, just barely. Hopefully, we will get good data tomorrow to move us back into the green.
- Precinct Captain - Wednesday, May 27, 20 @ 6:15 pm:
I hope Tim Butler and Mary Flowers are happy.
- thoughts matter - Wednesday, May 27, 20 @ 6:33 pm:
So this staff member was at work at BOS center the day Rep. Bailey was wandering around without a mask and without a test. Was this staff member anywhere near the protesters outside the Center?
- Chatham Resident - Wednesday, May 27, 20 @ 6:46 pm:
==I saw today (5/27) that the Central Region now does not qualify to move to Phase 3 on the Restore Illinois website. But, just barely.==
That was on the Hospital Admission Change percentage (only 2%).
Everything else on the other criteria is a solid green for Phase 3.
If the Central Region fails to get out of Phase 2 (only barely) on Friday while the other three regions go to Phase 3, how will that fare for state offices in Springfield (Secretary of State for sure) that will be reopening on Monday? Will we be forced to stay home and on work-at-home status longer?
https://www.dph.illinois.gov/restore
- Cadillac - Wednesday, May 27, 20 @ 8:25 pm:
Then the Central Region stays in Phase 2. Don’t be bitter - get better. Rules are rules. It’s all based on well established science. No soup for you.
- AD - Wednesday, May 27, 20 @ 8:31 pm:
=== Then the Central Region stays in Phase 2. Don’t be bitter - get better. Rules are rules. It’s all based on well established science. ===
Not really. The Central Region is way better. Central region with a 2% positive rate vs Northeast with 14% positive rate and the Central Region gets locked down. I get that there’s multiple parameters, but I think he’d have a hard time winning that is an argument based on science when bed availability is better also.
- Cadillac - Wednesday, May 27, 20 @ 8:39 pm:
Maybe the arbitrary May 1 start date and arbitrary 28 day rule is actually harder (rather than easier) to hurdle than what was initially explained.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, May 27, 20 @ 8:44 pm:
May 29 will find all regions in Phase 3
That’s what the plan and measures say.
- historic66 - Wednesday, May 27, 20 @ 9:12 pm:
If the central region doesn’t make it to phase 3 just because of a 2% increase in hospitalizations could you imagine the protests? It won’t be pretty.
- TheInvisibleMan - Wednesday, May 27, 20 @ 10:50 pm:
Central region has a county at its very southern edge with a familiar name.
Clay County.
This didn’t have to happen, but it is obvious why it did.
- Joash - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 5:51 am:
Wonder how many covid positive people were served by the 60+ year old woman at Walgreens that was working the register when I was there there other day..
- Eire17 - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 5:56 am:
He’s dying to give the code red. Colonel Jessup will graduate us to the next phase Friday.
- Blue Dog Dem - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 7:23 am:
ya darn right he wants us to get to the next level. Miss high school football season and you would rather be impeached.
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 7:27 am:
=== Miss high school football season and you would rather be impeached.===
Go back to bed. Start the day over.
People are dying, businesses are closed, you troll with high school football.
Don’t respond. Just pointing out your ridiculousness as you pretend to care about things… then act frivolously.
- efudd - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 9:14 am:
Blue Dog Dem proving, once again, it’s never too early to cram one’s head in another part of one’s anatomy.
- revvedup - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 11:12 am:
BDD: “Nevermind about that disease that spreads easily in crowds of people, what about high school football?”
There’s not enough sarcasm on the planet to express myself to this point.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 12:36 pm:
===If the central region doesn’t make it to phase 3===
Take a breath. It’s fine.
- lake county democrat - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 1:43 pm:
Had to google BOS Center - for the Springfield clueless like me who tried to figure it out (”Bipartisan…no, Budget Office of…that’s not it”) it’s “Bank of Springfield Center.” Learn something new every day. Hope they all stay well.
- Chatham Resident - Thursday, May 28, 20 @ 1:49 pm:
==Had to google BOS Center - for the Springfield clueless like me who tried to figure it out (”Bipartisan…no, Budget Office of…that’s not it”) it’s “Bank of Springfield Center.==
BOS Center used to be, and IMO will always be, best known as the Prairie Capitol Convention Center. Until it went corporate on its naming a year or two ago.
The BOS Center is also only a block north of Saputo’s.