Today, the State of Illinois has received the first shipment of the Pfizer coronavirus vaccine at the Illinois Strategic National Stockpile (SNS). The state received approximately 43,000 doses in the first shipment and expects additional shipments in the coming weeks. The vast majority of doses in this shipment will be delivered from the SNS to Regional Hospital Coordination Centers around the state that will serve as pick up locations for local health departments to begin distribution to healthcare workers in their jurisdictions, with the remaining portion going directly to predetermined local health department(s).
Chicago received a direct shipment from the federal government today as well. Four additional local health departments around the state will also receive direct shipments from the federal government later this week: Cook County Department of Public Health, Lake County Health Department and Community Health Center, Madison County Health Department, and St. Clair County Health Department. These direct shipments account for the state’s initial expected allocation of 100,000 doses.
“Today marks a momentous occasion – not just this year, but in American history. Eleven months after scientists the world over first got their hands on the genetic sequence of this virus – and we are seeing the beginning of the end of this pandemic,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “I want to offer my gratitude not only to the researchers who fueled this moment, but also to all the truck drivers, pilots, logistics specialists, warehouse operations managers, and law enforcement officers who have spent the last few days and weeks deploying the largest national mission in a generation. May we all take a moment to feel hope today.”
Due to heightened security protocols for the distribution of the vaccine, the state has provided B-roll video
The Tazewell County State’s Attorney [Stewart Umholtz] said Gov. JB Pritzker’s threat to take action against businesses violating his COVID-19 executive orders raises “serious concerns.” […]
Umholtz believes coercive actions aren’t necessarily helpful. He said he prefers a good neighbor policy over government intrusion.
However, Umholtz said his office has discussed Tazewell County’s potential liabilities for violating Pritzker’s directive with local leaders. He adds the county “may chose to limit its exposure” – when considering Restore Illinois enforcement. […]
Tazewell County Sheriff Jeff Lower questions the lawfulness of the governor’s executive orders, and said he won’t enforce them.
COVID-19 deaths among Illinois nursing home residents are surging and near their highest level but, as the pandemic wears on, those cases are making up a smaller fraction of the state’s total coronavirus death count.
Over the past five weeks, nursing home residents have accounted for 42.8% of the total fatalities, according to a WBEZ analysis of state Department of Public Health data. That’s down from 66.4% during a five-week period ending June 19.
“I think that does suggest that nursing homes are doing something right,” said Ronald Hershow, who directs epidemiology and biostatistics in the University of Illinois at Chicago’s School of Public Health. “They have improved their approach to this health issue over time.”
Carmel began testing wastewater for the virus that causes COVID-19 in May, hoping to build a reliable early warning system ahead of any spikes in cases.
Wastewater is one of the places where the COVID-19 virus exists, because traces of SARS-Cov2 have been found in human waste. Testing wastewater can be a strong indicator of how many people within a community have the virus that causes COVID-19, regardless of whether they have symptoms or have been tested.
“It doesn’t tell us how many people have COVID,” said Mayor Jim Brainard. “What it does it tell us the amount of the virus that’s in our waste stream doubled or cut or went up by 10% or went down by 10%.”
A blood test has been developed that can predict whether Covid patients will need intensive care – or are even likely to survive – shortly after they develop symptoms.
If validated in real-life hospital settings, the test could enable doctors to direct life-saving treatment to the most needy patients sooner, boosting their chances of survival. It could also bolster doctors’ confidence in the face of difficult decisions, such as whether to offer palliative care or an ICU bed when hospitals are close to capacity.
-=Tazewell County Sheriff Jeff Lower questions the lawfulness of the governor’s executive orders=-
I question the lawfulness of the sheriff. However neither myself or the sheriff are state courts. Until either of these items are addressed specifically in the courts, they stand as lawful.
I wonder if the sheriff has the same qualms regarding executive orders when the Illinois river floods.
From the Peoria Public Radio story- “Umholtz believes coercive actions aren’t necessarily helpful. He said he prefers a good neighbor policy over government intrusion.” Then… “Tazewell County Sheriff Jeff Lower questions the lawfulness of the governor’s executive orders, and said he won’t enforce them.”
Yep, that’s the kind of “good neighbor” sheriff I’d want if I had an emergency- law enforcement that picks and chooses what to respond to in the community in their role to “protect and serve”. Must be a nice view from the mountaintop.
Spent 4 months in the Peoria area this year and can confirm the minute you drove east over the river into Tazewell or Woodford Counties, most COVID precautions went completely out the window unless in a large chain store/restaurant.
=Tazewell County Sheriff Jeff Lower questions the lawfulness of the governor’s executive orders=
Always a slippery slope regardless of the subject matter. Cause for pause when the subject matter is enforcement of immigration laws, gun laws, COVID mandates, etc….
A strategy that makes those not enforcing it euphoric when lack of enforcement helps their cause and outraged when it doesn’t, regardless of subject matter.
Because of his misfeasance, I question the lawfulness of Jeff Lower being Tazewell Co Sheriff. Therefore, I do not accept his authority to give me a ticket next time I drive through Tazewell County.
County sheriffs don’t enforce federal issues. It’s never been in question.
-=gun laws=-
Yes, lets talk about how this sheriff handles those laws. That should be a fun can of worms to open for him.
-=COVID mandates=-
As much of an enforceable act as a restaurant not refrigerating their meat overnight. There’s no actual law for that, after all.
I will say one thing this sheriff is good at - convincing people that not doing his job is somehow the fault of ‘the state’. Right up there with the dog ate my homework. I’m glad it has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the cognitive ability of county sheriffs is ranked right next to grade school children.
=== A blood test has been developed that can predict whether Covid patients will need intensive care ===
We see a lot of possible things to hang our hat on to assuage our concerns about COVID. Reading stories that some studies have found that O blood type is less susceptible to severe COVID illness gives some hope for my family. However, we will get vaccinated, continue to wear our masks and keep socially distant until the all clear is sounded by CDC.
=== I see JB didn’t bother to thank the Trump Administration—sigh===
Why would Governor Pritzker thank the Trump Administration, they held super spreader events well beyond the election and the companies that created the vaccines got no monetary support in the creation.
Thanking the military, UPS, FedEx… that makes sense.
Have a friend who is a Peoria native, spent most of his life in Peoria. He asserts that when you drive east across the Illinois River from Peoria County to Tazewell County, you’re actually headed South across the Mason-Dixon line. The brother of Sheriff Buford Pusser ran a roadhouse in Tazewell County.
Petey, you want Trump to get credit for something. I give him credit for exacerbating the number of COVID deaths and cases because of his disinformation campaign and politicization of mitigation efforts.
As far as the vaccine goes, I thank the scientists and public health experts who have been doing the research that enabled the vaccines to be developed more quickly. I also thank those who have been risking their lives during the pandemic to treat patients and keep providing us with food and vital services.
As for Trump’s ego, I would suggest we name the pandemic for him. He likes to associated with the biggest of everything. COVID-19 has been the biggest and most impactful disease in the US in over 100 years.
- Not a DJT Apologist - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:40 pm:
Pritzker thanks everyone but never Trump. Would it hurt him to publicly thank Trump at least once?
How is a vaccine largely developed in Germany, by a multi-national company, first deployed in other counties, and being used around the globe, a win by the President?
This isn’t America landing a man on the moon by ourselves.
When Biden won , I didn’t go to the celebration by my townhouse. I saw JB walking there. It’s good to know that Biden celebrations can’t be super spreading events in Illinois. JB makes all his decisions based on science, just look at him.
==As for Trump’s ego, I would suggest we name the pandemic for him.==
The Trump virus.
Remember the Trump Pandemic of 2020.
The worst recession since the Trump Pandemic of 2020.
Norseman for the win.
- lake county democrat - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:01 pm:
I’ll give Trump credit for project warp speed (and even include pfizer since the guaranteed purchase regardless of success may have played a role in the development), but only in the context of all the terrible COVID decisions he’s made (not least of which: siding with Team Jared and making the initial China travel ban porous as Swiss Cheese). One of the great Trump ironies is if he had followed his germophboic insticts and done what would have been criticized as overreaction (as was his porous China ban…), he might have gone down as a good president in a Churchillian sort of way (”did lots of domestic things wrong, but did the big thing right”)
I’ve personally had to deal with Jeff Lower on a professional level.
I honestly can say he is a joke.
Doesn’t surprise me at all this is his take on JB. He should be made an example of.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:40 pm:
I see the Trump trolls are out in force to get praise for their dear leader.
So folks, let’s send him a big thank you for the Trump Virus, the Trump Pandemic and the Trump Recession.
And while we’re at it, let’s also thank him for passing on acquiring an additional 100 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, downplaying the pandemic as if it were just the flu, undermining democracy, and fomenting revolt.
Pfizer made it clear that they were not part of “Warp Speed” They took no federal funds. They did sell to the US. Moderna on the other hand was part of Warp Speed.
Speaking for me and only me. As a 75 yr old I think the vaccines should be given to the healthcare workers, first responders, teachers, necessary workers and anybody else younger than me. When those folks had a chance to be vaccinated then I’ll get in line.
- Google Is Your Friend - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 1:45 pm:
==* Great idea in Indiana…==
The Tribune covered efforts to do this in Chicago last month. Argonne is involved and so is UIC’s public health school as well as a few other schools.
- Google Is Your Friend - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 1:48 pm:
https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/environment/ct-covid-sewage-monitoring-20201117-rgi5wgme75h5lb2qxdi6rnr6lq-story.html
- TheInvisibleMan - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 1:58 pm:
-=Tazewell County Sheriff Jeff Lower questions the lawfulness of the governor’s executive orders=-
I question the lawfulness of the sheriff. However neither myself or the sheriff are state courts. Until either of these items are addressed specifically in the courts, they stand as lawful.
I wonder if the sheriff has the same qualms regarding executive orders when the Illinois river floods.
- Anon221 - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:02 pm:
From the Peoria Public Radio story- “Umholtz believes coercive actions aren’t necessarily helpful. He said he prefers a good neighbor policy over government intrusion.” Then… “Tazewell County Sheriff Jeff Lower questions the lawfulness of the governor’s executive orders, and said he won’t enforce them.”
Yep, that’s the kind of “good neighbor” sheriff I’d want if I had an emergency- law enforcement that picks and chooses what to respond to in the community in their role to “protect and serve”. Must be a nice view from the mountaintop.
- Bigtwich - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:05 pm:
==Umholtz believes coercive actions aren’t necessarily helpful. He said he prefers a good neighbor policy over government intrusion.==
What’s a State’s Attorneys Office for?
- 4 eyes - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:08 pm:
Spent 4 months in the Peoria area this year and can confirm the minute you drove east over the river into Tazewell or Woodford Counties, most COVID precautions went completely out the window unless in a large chain store/restaurant.
- JS Mill - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:09 pm:
=Tazewell County Sheriff Jeff Lower questions the lawfulness of the governor’s executive orders=
The same sheriff’s dept that returned weapons to the family of mentally ill Waffle House shooter..
Lots of “good neighbor” decisions coming out of that office.
- Grandson of Man - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:15 pm:
Today is an historic day: Americans getting the first COVID vaccines and America ridding itself of an authoritarian regime, as electors vote.
- Just Do It - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:15 pm:
=Tazewell County Sheriff Jeff Lower questions the lawfulness of the governor’s executive orders=
Always a slippery slope regardless of the subject matter. Cause for pause when the subject matter is enforcement of immigration laws, gun laws, COVID mandates, etc….
A strategy that makes those not enforcing it euphoric when lack of enforcement helps their cause and outraged when it doesn’t, regardless of subject matter.
- Norseman - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:19 pm:
Because of his misfeasance, I question the lawfulness of Jeff Lower being Tazewell Co Sheriff. Therefore, I do not accept his authority to give me a ticket next time I drive through Tazewell County.
- Petey L. - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:20 pm:
I see JB didn’t bother to thank the Trump Administration—sigh
- TheInvisibleMan - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:20 pm:
-=enforcement of immigration laws=-
County sheriffs don’t enforce federal issues. It’s never been in question.
-=gun laws=-
Yes, lets talk about how this sheriff handles those laws. That should be a fun can of worms to open for him.
-=COVID mandates=-
As much of an enforceable act as a restaurant not refrigerating their meat overnight. There’s no actual law for that, after all.
I will say one thing this sheriff is good at - convincing people that not doing his job is somehow the fault of ‘the state’. Right up there with the dog ate my homework. I’m glad it has been proven beyond a reasonable doubt that the cognitive ability of county sheriffs is ranked right next to grade school children.
- Norseman - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:24 pm:
=== A blood test has been developed that can predict whether Covid patients will need intensive care ===
We see a lot of possible things to hang our hat on to assuage our concerns about COVID. Reading stories that some studies have found that O blood type is less susceptible to severe COVID illness gives some hope for my family. However, we will get vaccinated, continue to wear our masks and keep socially distant until the all clear is sounded by CDC.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:25 pm:
=== I see JB didn’t bother to thank the Trump Administration—sigh===
Why would Governor Pritzker thank the Trump Administration, they held super spreader events well beyond the election and the companies that created the vaccines got no monetary support in the creation.
Thanking the military, UPS, FedEx… that makes sense.
- Anyone Remember - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:26 pm:
4 eyes -
Have a friend who is a Peoria native, spent most of his life in Peoria. He asserts that when you drive east across the Illinois River from Peoria County to Tazewell County, you’re actually headed South across the Mason-Dixon line. The brother of Sheriff Buford Pusser ran a roadhouse in Tazewell County.
- Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:33 pm:
===That should be a fun can of worms to open for him===
Ouch.
- Norseman - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:36 pm:
Petey, you want Trump to get credit for something. I give him credit for exacerbating the number of COVID deaths and cases because of his disinformation campaign and politicization of mitigation efforts.
As far as the vaccine goes, I thank the scientists and public health experts who have been doing the research that enabled the vaccines to be developed more quickly. I also thank those who have been risking their lives during the pandemic to treat patients and keep providing us with food and vital services.
As for Trump’s ego, I would suggest we name the pandemic for him. He likes to associated with the biggest of everything. COVID-19 has been the biggest and most impactful disease in the US in over 100 years.
- Not a DJT Apologist - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:40 pm:
Pritzker thanks everyone but never Trump. Would it hurt him to publicly thank Trump at least once?
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:43 pm:
=== Would it hurt him to publicly thank Trump at least once?===
Trump is a lame duck President yet to concede an election he lost and is damaging democracy…
… you’re concerned a governor isn’t given an “atta boy”?
300,000 deaths tell me… the governor handled it fine
- Cool Papa Bell - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:46 pm:
How is a vaccine largely developed in Germany, by a multi-national company, first deployed in other counties, and being used around the globe, a win by the President?
This isn’t America landing a man on the moon by ourselves.
- Northside Moderate Dude - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:48 pm:
When Biden won , I didn’t go to the celebration by my townhouse. I saw JB walking there. It’s good to know that Biden celebrations can’t be super spreading events in Illinois. JB makes all his decisions based on science, just look at him.
- wildcat - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 2:52 pm:
“JB makes all his decisions based on science, just look at him.”
OUCH.
- don the legend - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:00 pm:
==As for Trump’s ego, I would suggest we name the pandemic for him.==
The Trump virus.
Remember the Trump Pandemic of 2020.
The worst recession since the Trump Pandemic of 2020.
Norseman for the win.
- lake county democrat - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:01 pm:
I’ll give Trump credit for project warp speed (and even include pfizer since the guaranteed purchase regardless of success may have played a role in the development), but only in the context of all the terrible COVID decisions he’s made (not least of which: siding with Team Jared and making the initial China travel ban porous as Swiss Cheese). One of the great Trump ironies is if he had followed his germophboic insticts and done what would have been criticized as overreaction (as was his porous China ban…), he might have gone down as a good president in a Churchillian sort of way (”did lots of domestic things wrong, but did the big thing right”)
- Ferris Wheeler - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:02 pm:
Why are we distributing vaccines to counties that refuse to enforce the executive order?
- Rich Miller - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:02 pm:
===Why are we distributing vaccines to counties that refuse to enforce the executive order? ===
Because we’re not fascists?
- Cool Papa Bell - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:03 pm:
=Why are we distributing vaccines to counties that refuse to enforce the executive order?=
Uh… humanity?
And all of those other people in those areas that follow the rules and try to keep people healthy.
- Oswego Willy - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:09 pm:
===Why are we distributing vaccines to counties that refuse to enforce the executive order?===
My goodness gracious… I think you’re thinking that you being smart to humanity by deciding to act in an inhumane way to distribution.
Whew.
- EssentialWorkingMom - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:13 pm:
==Because we’re not fascists==
==Uh…humanity==
Thank you for both of these replies. Truly helping me get through today.
- Scott - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:20 pm:
I thought this wasn’t Facebook?
- The Dude - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:33 pm:
I’ve personally had to deal with Jeff Lower on a professional level.
I honestly can say he is a joke.
Doesn’t surprise me at all this is his take on JB. He should be made an example of.
- Joe Bidenopolous - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:40 pm:
I see the Trump trolls are out in force to get praise for their dear leader.
So folks, let’s send him a big thank you for the Trump Virus, the Trump Pandemic and the Trump Recession.
And while we’re at it, let’s also thank him for passing on acquiring an additional 100 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, downplaying the pandemic as if it were just the flu, undermining democracy, and fomenting revolt.
- Blanche - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:50 pm:
I thought this site was Illinois-centric only.
- Demoralized - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 3:57 pm:
==Tazewell County Sheriff Jeff Lower questions the lawfulness of the governor’s executive orders, and said he won’t enforce them.==
His job is to enforce the laws. Period. If he can’t do that then he should find another line of work. He’s violating his oath as a Sheriff.
- Banish Misfortune - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 4:14 pm:
Pfizer made it clear that they were not part of “Warp Speed” They took no federal funds. They did sell to the US. Moderna on the other hand was part of Warp Speed.
- Blue Dog Dem - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 4:16 pm:
Speaking for me and only me. As a 75 yr old I think the vaccines should be given to the healthcare workers, first responders, teachers, necessary workers and anybody else younger than me. When those folks had a chance to be vaccinated then I’ll get in line.
- Bigtwich - Monday, Dec 14, 20 @ 4:44 pm:
Suburban mom
You should stop picking on Trump.