* From Gov. Pritzker’s campaign spokesperson in response to my question about his plans for Governor’s Day….
The Governor is planning to host a casual outdoor event on the Director’s lawn to celebrate the tradition of Governor’s Day. With the Delta variant of COVID surging and pediatric cases on the rise, the Governor doesn’t plan to attend the IDCCA brunch, which in its current form is a large indoor event. He continues to encourage others to take all possible pre-cautions to prevent the spread.
I’ve asked the IDCCA for comment.
*** UPDATE *** IDCCA President Kristina Zahorik…
This year’s hybrid gathering will convene Democratic activists from across the state to celebrate the party’s efforts to Build Back Better in a way that is safe and follows the science. While we respect the Governor and other Democrats’ decision not to join the event in person, we’d remind individuals that they can participate in our activities virtually. We hope the Governor takes part in the Brunch virtually or sends a video to address the thousands of grassroots Democrats who will be watching, attending, and supporting his reelection. Furthermore, we’ve put several COVID-19 mitigations in place:
* Do Not Attend in Person Unless Vaccinated: From the start of planning we have included a hybrid virtual option for individuals to participate. If individuals are not vaccinated we ask that they get vaccinated or participate virtually.
* Mask Requirement: All in person attendees are required to wear masks from the time they enter the Crowne Plaza Hotel until they leave the hotel after the event. If you forget your mask we will provide you with one.
* Proper Mask Use: Masks must cover your nose and chin at all times.
* Mask Compliance: If you ignore the mask requirements, you will be asked to leave the event.
* Seating: Unlike in years past, the seats will be spaced far apart from each other for social distancing. We have also limited in person attendance to allow for more spacing in the room.
* Hand Sanitizer: We will have multiple hand sanitizer stations throughout the hotel.
We look forward to seeing the Governor in person at next year’s Brunch.
…Adding… About that “required to wear masks from the time they enter the Crowne Plaza Hotel until they leave the hotel after the event” thing. There will be food and drink, so mask wearing won’t be all the time, of course.
- Just Me 2 - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 1:20 pm:
Lead by example and cancel it or move it outside.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 1:38 pm:
It’s not the Governor’s event to move or cancel.
- Annonin' - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 1:39 pm:
Usually a very infectious event —- nposting D spirit. Maybe he’ll reconsider
- Nuke The Whales - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 1:45 pm:
If only there were some sort of lawn at the fairgrounds where Democrat Day could be held…
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 1:47 pm:
===If only there were some sort of lawn===
IDCCA brunch is a huge fundraiser, so I don’t think they could do it at the fairgrounds.
- FIREDup!! - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 1:47 pm:
Fully vaxxed and not comfortable in crowds inside or out.
- Minnie Pearl Jam - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 1:48 pm:
Before I bought my ticket to this year’s brunch, I asked what precautions they’re taking. They’re following all the precautions the Gov and public health officials have recommended, eg requiring masks, spacing seating to 6 feet, etc.
The Gov doesn’t like the Democratic Chairs. Message received.
- Demoralized - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 1:52 pm:
==The Gov doesn’t like the Democratic Chairs. Message received.==
Oh grow up and stop being a victim. The guy didn’t attend Lollapalooza and it was outside. What makes you think he would attend a large indoor event?
- Scheduling question - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 1:55 pm:
“The Governor is planning to host a casual outdoor event on the Director’s lawn”
Did the Gov schedule his event at the same time as the IDCCA brunch ?
Who is invited to the Gov’s event ?
- Concerned Dem - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:00 pm:
I agree with Minnie, this is just intraparty pettiness playing out and as a result the Governor is sending the wrong message by avoiding an event that is following the recommended safety steps.
Also to decode “casual event” means he really doesn’t have one planned but his people will throw one together in less than a week.
- Just Me 2 - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:00 pm:
=== IDCCA brunch is a huge fundraiser, so I don’t think they could do it at the fairgrounds.===
So money is more important than health, eh? That sounds like something a Republican would say.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:01 pm:
===his people will throw one together in less than a week===
What? It’s Governor’s Day. lol
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:03 pm:
=== this is just intraparty pettiness===
Meh.
If it were a State Central Committee “thingy” maybe, lol
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:05 pm:
=== So money is more important than health===
It’s a social event
This isn’t some business open 6 days a week, 12 hours a day, looking for workers to run the shop.
It’s farcical to think so… whatabout-y
- No return to work - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:06 pm:
Wonder if he is going to stop the return to work for state employees shortly…appears to not be safe to do so..
- SpiDem - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:07 pm:
ILDCCA, like the Robin Kelly election as DPI chair, are Durbin-run affairs. Everything about this has to be viewed through that lens.
The Governor will be running his own program in 2022, and he’s putting people on notice that if they want the type of funding support that only he can provide, then they need to pick sides.
Pure pettiness. Durbin and Pritzker should have figured out a compromise by now. Both of them refuse to budge. The party will suffer as a result
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:17 pm:
=== The Governor will be running his own program in 2022, and he’s putting people on notice that if they want the type of funding support that only he can provide, then they need to pick sides.===
That’s not petty, especially since the Honorary Chair is useless to raise cash in any way… and what group, say a labor organization, wants to run afoul of the SEC helping the Honorary chair when an actual governor politically could help?
Petty is a term often used by the lesser side seeking sympathy from an alleged slight.
- The Real Downstate - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:30 pm:
Completely agree with SpiDem
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:35 pm:
=== Pure pettiness. Durbin and Pritzker should have figured out a compromise by now. Both of them refuse to budge. The party will suffer as a result===
Elections have consequences.
Pritzker sits with $35 mil, can have an “EFT Fundraiser” at anytime, all he needs is a phone….
… reminds me of the knight in “Last Crusade” when the villain chooses the wrong “cup”
.., he chose poorly.
How will the party suffer without Pritzker, I was told in these comment sections about how some felt “good” choosing against the governor.
Welp, “you won”… enjoy it
- The Real Downstate - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:40 pm:
fwiw, I doubt this decision will impact ticket and sponsorship sales for the event. People are coming to see Ossof and fellow Dems from around the state, not the Gov, Governor’s Day or not.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:42 pm:
Like this…
=== Idk, as a Kelly supporter myself I don’t see it as a set back or an embarrassment. Reform-minded members of the central committee and the Dem Party of IL in general wanted to move away from someone like MJM and towards something new. This is certainly new. It spreads out fundraising and operations amount several staffers and committee members. It makes it so that the Chair isn’t all-powerful. I think this structure, after years of MJM, is worth trying out. At the very least, as someone downstate, I’m just happy that the candidate of Cullerton, MJM, and JB wasn’t elected Chair.===
- The Real Downstate Thursday, Jul 15, 21
Why do you need the governor there?
- walker - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:42 pm:
Paid my brunch sponsor money. Support IDCCA. Local dem leader. Still not attending in person. No regrets.
Yes for Governor’s outdoor event.
COVID rules, period
- The Real Downstate - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:47 pm:
JB cancelling on an event held on the day that is supposed to honor and support him and other Dems is, imo, a petty move to avoid being in a room with Durbin and Kelly. Therefore his decision doesn’t change my mind about what I said earlier about being thankful that his preferred choice for chair was not elected.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:49 pm:
===JB cancelling on an event held on the day that is supposed to honor and support him and other Dems is, imo, a petty move to avoid being in a room with Durbin and Kelly.===
LOL
===At the very least, as someone downstate, I’m just happy that the candidate of Cullerton, MJM, and JB wasn’t elected Chair===
You literally don’t want him there.
The governor is obliging… you should be “happy”
- The Real Downstate - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:50 pm:
Happy that his preferred candidate isn’t chair doesn’t mean I’m happy that he’s bailing on the biggest Dem event of the year, which isn’t hosted by the state party. You’re reaching, OW.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:53 pm:
=== Happy that his preferred candidate isn’t chair doesn’t mean I’m happy that he’s bailing on the biggest Dem event of the year===
Choices have consequences.
I’m sure Robin Kelly can raise enough… oh… nevermind.
===You’re reaching===
You’re reaching… for a governor you rejected leading the party.
The governor is obliging. You won.
- The Real Downstate - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:56 pm:
Yes, Kelly won. And sore losers and gonna be sore losers.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:56 pm:
=== We hope the Governor takes part in the Brunch virtually or sends a video to address the thousands of grassroots Democrats who will be watching, attending, and supporting his reelection.===
“Please, please *please* recognize us”
If you’re askin’ publicly to be relevant to the governor… that’s… that’s an interesting choice.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:58 pm:
===And sore losers and gonna be sore losers.===
You want a sore loser at the event?
Hoping the governor can attend, asking him publicly to do so, even virtually… that seems a bit desperate
- Arsenal - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:59 pm:
==Did the Gov schedule his event at the same time as the IDCCA brunch ?
Who is invited to the Gov’s event ? ==
Democrat Day- or Governor’s Day, when the Governor is a Democrat- has long had the ILDCCA brunch in the morning and a rally at the Fairgrounds in the afternoon. There’s no time conflict.
- Gohawks123 - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:59 pm:
I agree with real downstate here. How are you going to skip out on the DEM event of the year? If they are following your guidelines and better yet you don’t think the Gov. can’t just speak and then walk out the door if he is being that cautious ?
- irony is fun - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 3:00 pm:
==- The Real Downstate - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 2:56 pm:
Yes, Kelly won. And sore losers and gonna be sore losers. ==
Did she? Did she REALLY win? Because she’s in an impossible situation and can’t raise a dime. I don’t think she won, dude.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 3:04 pm:
=== Did she? Did she REALLY win? Because she’s in an impossible situation and can’t raise a dime. I don’t think she won, dude.===
Welp;
===At the very least, as someone downstate, I’m just happy that the candidate of Cullerton, MJM, and JB wasn’t elected Chair.===
It’s a “nose-face” situation, and Kelly was sold a bill of embarrassing goods.
Why “want” the governor there, or even ask publicly?
It’s fun stuff. That’s for sure.
- fs - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 3:13 pm:
“Governor, you can attend virtually”
“Yes, well, unfortunately my internet is down”
“Governor, it’s not until next week”
- DuPage Saint - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 3:19 pm:
To bad Will Rogers is not still around. He could have spoke at at both. He wasn’t a member of an organized party he was a Democrat
- wayward - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 3:21 pm:
Well, if it’s a brunch, the masks will probably come off when they eat. In that case, it would basically be an unmasked indoor event.
- Rich Miller - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 3:24 pm:
===the masks will probably come off when they eat===
Yeah. I followed up with that question, but haven’t yet heard back.
- wayward - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 3:34 pm:
Also, for those of us who struggle with weight, COVID is not something you want to mess around with. And Pritzker is a smart and realistic guy.
- Shytown - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 3:43 pm:
100% the right move
- Eastern Bloc Mitigation - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 3:50 pm:
Good for him for once again leading by example. It makes no sense to have an event of that size indoors during a pandemic. Why not have the event outside at the fairgrounds this year???
- Moe Berg - Wednesday, Aug 11, 21 @ 5:29 pm:
Right move on the governor’s part and the DCCA should accept that the situation has changed with COVID and Delta.
Events are being cancelled left and right, including outdoor events. Major corporations are delaying return to office.
DCCA leadership needs to set its egos aside and do the right thing in the best interest of public health.
Putting out a statement that “all persons are required to wear masks” when that’s not true for people while they are eating and drinking is too clever by half.
I hate when Republicans gaslight, but it really boils my blood when Democrats do it.
- Candy Dogood - Thursday, Aug 12, 21 @ 12:50 am:
The transmission rates in several counties are higher than at any point earlier in the pandemic. With the return to in person school, regardless of masking at school, is a return to expanded social gatherings outside of school without masks. Creating a hybrid event isn’t the best idea because you’re asking people to make an individualized choice — and in this case, specifically asking them whether they will have any personal benefit from being seen attending the chairman’s breakfast. The most prudent and cautious are also less likely to attend, so this is a situation where self selection bias is not going to be our friend.
Lets ask people from all over the state, every county even, to attend this event. Even from those counties where the new cases exceed 50 out of 100,000. I understand the pressure to return to a sense of normal, the pressure to “Build Back Better,” but the party fund raiser should not be held if it risks becoming a statewide super spreader of the delta variant. It exists as a trap for any elected official that should be modeling good decision making, much less putting themselves at unnecessary risks.
It might be prudent to cancel the in person portion of the event.