* CBS 2…
Hundreds of people crowded into a hotel ballroom on Wednesday, toasting newlyweds.
But in the middle of a pandemic, how is that allowed? That is what we wanted to know, too. So CBS 2’s Charlie De Mar headed to the Hilton Chicago/Northbrook to find out.
The wedding at the hotel could be described as a potential COVID-19 super-spreader event, and on the same day Illinois hit the grim milestone of 238 deaths in one day – the most since the start of the pandemic. The national death toll was also a record for a single day.
The bride walked into a room filled with hundreds on her special day. All eyes were on her, and no masks were on to block the smiles.
At the Northbrook Hilton, where they promise a cleaner stay in the age of COVID, we saw no social distancing at the wedding – and the groups of people walking about without masks. Only a sparing number of people covered up.
* From the Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association…
“The large gathering that was allowed to take place at the Hilton Chicago/Northbrook is unacceptable and does not reflect the careful efforts the hotel industry as a whole has taken since the onset of the pandemic to protect guests, employees and our communities. When I found out about this situation, I subsequently contacted public health officials to determine the appropriate next steps and reminded hotel management that they must abide by the Tier 3 mitigations and safety protocols to ensure the health of their employees and guests. In addition, we have reached out to our hotel membership across the state to once again stress the importance of abiding by all health and safety guidelines. The hotel industry is committed to working with policy makers and public health officials to ensure this situation is not repeated,” said Michael Jacobson, president & CEO, Illinois Hotel & Lodging Association.
* Tribune…
Dr. Rachel Rubin, senior medical officer and co-lead for the Cook County Department of Public Health said during a news conference Thursday that she felt “profound dismay” after hearing about the wedding.
“This event should not have happened,” she said. “It’s put a lot of individuals in danger.”
County officials said they are now investigating. According to the health department, violations of the state order banning indoor dining and other indoor congregations such as this could lead to arrest, a fine of $1,000 per offense and further actions.
* Gov. Pritzker was asked about it today…
Well first of all, I’m deeply concerned for the people who attended that wedding. I understand that people were in very close proximity to one another. I understand that those people will go home, or back into their communities and may in fact have infected other people.
And this is very concerning to all of us at a moment when we have rampant COVID-19 throughout Illinois community spread. Here we have people, who are in a concentrated fashion, have the ability now to go spread it to everywhere that they return to so I’m deeply worried for them and for the communities that they return to for their families and so on. I hope that each of them will isolate and get a test.
Now, as far as what should happen, what we’ve done, we contacted the Cook County Health Department and other authorities in Cook County as well as the city of Chicago. And we’ve made sure that they’re following up on this. It is their local enforcement that is very important to us and they are indeed doing just that I saw in the latest news story that Cook County is now following up with potential legal action law enforcement action. So we’ll have to see what follows here, but I certainly want to encourage them to do that. We’ve put in place the rules and regulations for them to follow to follow up on this.
It’s very irresponsible and it’s also irresponsible of the hotel to host an event like that. They too have breached the rules, and they should be held responsible.
* Meanwhile…
Monday, December 14, 2020 at 7 PM EST
Thelma Keller Convention Center
Public · Hosted by Darren Bailey for State Senate 55th District
Join us for a Christmas Party Fundraiser on December 14th at the Thelma Keller Convention Center in Effingham.
We’ll have Christmas Deserts, a Hot Chocolate & Coffee Bar, Bingo, and even SANTA will be there! 🎅 Join us for an evening of fun and support our efforts to #RestoreIllinois!
Tickets are $25 for individuals or $50 for a Family Ticket! LIMITED TICKETS available, so don’t wait until the last minute!
Get your tickets at: [redacted]
Sponsorships are also available at the following levels: $2500 - $1000 - $500 - $250
*** UPDATE *** From the Hilton Chicago/Northbrook…
“Last evening, the Hilton Chicago/Northbrook hosted a family wedding with approximately 150 people in attendance. While the event was booked prior to the implementation of the state’s latest mitigation measures, we sincerely regret allowing this gathering to proceed and our family apologizes to our guests, employees, and the Chicagoland community.
The coronavirus pandemic has created unprecedented challenges for the hospitality industry and our family-owned business. However, our hope to keep the hotel afloat and employees working should not outweigh health and safety.
We are committed to working with state and local health authorities to ensure our hotel is abiding by all safety measures and mitigation guidelines. We immediately reviewed our bookings to ensure any business that is inconsistent with the state’s guidelines are not held at this property, and we are committed to following contact tracing and testing protocols recommended by health officials.
It will take time, but we hope to rebuild the trust of our guests, staff and community have placed in us for so many years,” said Holly Allgauer-Cir, General Manager, Hilton Chicago/Northbrook.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 3:08 pm:
Complementary exposure to COVID-19 for everyone! Stay longer for more chances to “win.”
- Clockwork Beige - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 3:09 pm:
Can they suspend the operations of the hotel? I hope so.
- Precinct Captain - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 3:11 pm:
What has CCDPH been doing for most of this year? They are totally MIA! Tribune reported last month they had hired less than 20% of contract tracer positions versus the city which had almost 90%!
- Rudy’s teeth - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 3:13 pm:
Darren Brain on full display. By the way, what is a Christmas desert?
- Sleestak - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 3:20 pm:
&& Can they suspend the operations of the hotel? I hope so. &&
Sure, let’s put more people out of work who had nothing to do with it, that’ll show ‘em. Makes for a nice Christmas too.
- JoanP - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 3:20 pm:
= wgat us a Christmas desert? =
I think that’s where Christmas cacti grow.
- JoanP - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 3:22 pm:
Okay I can’t spell.
I meant “what is”
- lake county democrat - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 3:27 pm:
Of course Santa will be there - he’s making a list.
- cermak_rd - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 3:28 pm:
Christmas desert
It was a Christmas village but then Covid came and …
- bogey golfer - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 3:28 pm:
Christmas desert = fruitcake.
Another reason to pass on the event.
- Sox Fan - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 3:31 pm:
My sister cancelled her wedding next month opting for a smaller gathering of about 10-15 of our immediate families. When we talked over thanksgiving (zoom) she thinks even that might be in doubt.
The selfishness of everyone involved is sickening (pun intended)
- cermak_rd - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 3:32 pm:
Sleestak,
We don’t keep from shutting down other businesses doing harmful things because it will throw people out of work.
Personally, I would heavily fine them by taking the legal limit of people allowed to congregate, adding 1 then dividing that out into however many parties that would be if they were separate events and charging them that many offenses.
- Stu - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 3:35 pm:
Could have been worse…could have been at a Hyatt.
- Streamwood Retiree - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 3:44 pm:
My neighbor’s daughter had to cancel her Church wedding and banquet. Priest married them in chambers. The banquet hall would not refund the pre-payment. Told them they can have the reception next year. Thats for us little people.
- walker - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 3:45 pm:
Charge the people who arranged this event and paid for it.
These kinds of events have already been proven to lead to multiple deaths.
The legislators are expected to spend hours for days in the same room with Darren Bailey after his event?
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 3:50 pm:
=== Hilton Chicago/Northbrook===
This isn’t exactly a Mom & Pop operation. Consequences need to meet the depth of the organization’s pockets.
===Thelma Keller Convention Center in Effingham===
Neither is this one.
- Leigh John-Ella - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 3:53 pm:
If a county isn’t going to enforce restrictions, should a county be trusted to distribute vaccinations?
- Smalls - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 3:54 pm:
== a fine of $1,000 per offense ==
Each person in attendance should be a separate offense. If there were 300 people there, the fine should be $300,000.
- Papa2008 - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 4:10 pm:
Lake County Democrat: Best laugh I’ve had in a week. Thanks
- Sylvester - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 4:25 pm:
&&Consequences need to meet the depth of the organization’s pockets.&&
Do we now carry a form 1040 with us wherever we go so that the officer can calculate the fine if we get pulled over?
- Demoralized - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 4:45 pm:
I would fine that hotel heavily and shut down their banquet facilities.
And I’d send in the State Police to be waiting at the door of Bailey’s little party.
- 6 Figure Pension - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 5:01 pm:
Before jumping to conclusions consider that they could be excited that Joe Biden won and just wanted to gather in a traditional wedding celebration. COVID-19 is a mostly MAGA disease that focuses on churches and places like that.
- Cubs in '16 - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 5:04 pm:
===And I’d send in the State Police to be waiting at the door of Bailey’s little party.===
There’s a headquarters about three miles down the road from the convention center. But it’s Effingham we’re talking about so your suggestion would be met with mockery and condescension.
- JB's Foreign Trust Department - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 5:26 pm:
Kim Foxx: I can look the other way on $900 of stolen Nikes on Michigan Avenue but this ? There will be consequences.
- Responsa - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 5:38 pm:
My bet is that the hotel was more fearful of breaking their legal contract than they are of the authorities. I don’t know. Perhaps the people who contracted for the wedding and chose to go ahead with it are who should be held accountable.
- TheInvisibleMan - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 5:51 pm:
The saddest outcome of all of this is that I have zero trust in my local health department.
I’ve become accustomed to making and cooking my own food over the last few months. For awhile I was looking forward to eating out again in the future.
Now that I see health departments are just buildings, and nothing more, I have zero expectation they will be conducting any regular restaurant health inspections in the future.
It’s sad how the general lack of action of any county health department is even impacting those following the guidance now.
When did protecting the rule-breakers at all costs become official policy?
- Yellow Dog Democrat - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 6:24 pm:
If they are truly sorry, the hotel and caterer will donate the proceeds to charity.
Can’t wait to find out which family it was….
- Manchester - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 6:38 pm:
Fine the Hilton Northbrook and the Thelma Keller Center to the maximum extent allowed. Be creative about it. The Hilton knew darn good and well that this was unacceptable and so does the Keller Center. Any other violations should result in a loss of their license to operate.
- B Up North - Thursday, Dec 3, 20 @ 7:56 pm:
That Hilton is a complete DUMP and I am absolutely not surprised. The people who own this property do not maintain it. I’ve been there at least 6 times in the past few years and every time I wonder why it’s still open. It’s definitely the low rent Hilton in town. I’d like to see them out of town altogether. Surely there’s a clause in their franchise agreement that will allow Hilton to shut them down.
- 17% Solution - Friday, Dec 4, 20 @ 6:34 am:
== Kim Foxx: I can look the other way on $900 of stolen Nikes on Michigan Avenue but this ? There will be consequences.==
Sorry Bub. That happened in Michigan the state, not Michigan Ave.
https://www.theoaklandpress.com/news/cops-say-pair-stole-cart-full-of-nikes-valued-at-800-plus/article_ca113858-363a-11ea-a92e-f7eb550cf65b.html
- Fly like an eagle - Friday, Dec 4, 20 @ 6:46 am:
Meanwhile on Jeanne Ives’ Facebook page 9 hours ago she says, “Happy to be in Arthur, Illinois this evening for Rep. Brad Halbrook’s Christmas Party with Darren Bailey and Dan Caulkins Illinois State Representative.”
A lot of people inside and no masks.
So glad she lost as governor.
- Zim - Friday, Dec 4, 20 @ 9:33 am:
=Meanwhile on Jeanne Ives’ Facebook page 9 hours ago she says, “Happy to be in Arthur, Illinois this evening for Rep. Brad Halbrook’s Christmas Party with Darren Bailey and Dan Caulkins Illinois State Representative.”=
Meanwhile, Champaign County has a positivity rate of ~6.5% sans UIUC testing. It’s not great, but significantly better than just about every other county in Region 6. While Tier 3 mitigations will not be lifted soon, Champaign County local officials could be excused for once again pushing to have the county placed in its own region given what’s occurring in many other Region 6 counties.