* ABC 7…
The west suburban village of Oak Park is urging residents to shelter in place for two weeks as the number of coronavirus cases in Illinois reached 288.
Oak Park Mayor Anan Abu-Taleb declared a local state of emergency Wednesday due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
The village’s Public Health Director Mike Charley issued a public order requiring residents to shelter in place starting Friday, March 20, through April 3.
The order is here. An Oak Park resident in his 30s just tested positive.
* Let’s take a look at the definitions section, which is where the meat is. The order includes numerous exemptions…
a. For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence only to perform any of the following “Essential Activities.” But people at high risk of severe illness from COVID-19 and people who are sick are urged to stay in their residence to the extent possible except as necessary to seek medical care.
i. To engage in activities or perform tasks essential to their health and safety, or to the health and safety of their family or household members (including, but not limited to, pets), such as, by way of example only and without limitation, obtaining medical supplies or medication, visiting a health care professional, or obtaining supplies they need to work from home;
ii. To obtain necessary services or supplies for themselves and their family or household members, or to deliver those services or supplies to others, such as, by way of example only and without limitation, canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products, and products necessary to maintain the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences;
iii. To engage in outdoor activity, provided the individuals comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined in this Section, such as, by way of example and without limitation, walking, hiking, or running;
iv. To perform work providing essential products and services at an Essential Business or to otherwise carry out activities specifically permitted in this Order, including Minimum Basic Operations; or
v. To care for a family member or pet in another household.
b. For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence to work for or obtain services at any “Healthcare Operations” including hospitals, clinics, dentists, pharmacies, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, other healthcare facilities, healthcare suppliers, home healthcare services providers, mental health providers, medical cannabis dispensaries and related retail sales or any related and/or ancillary healthcare services. “Healthcare Operations” also includes veterinary care and all healthcare services provided to animals. This exemption shall be construed broadly to avoid any impacts to the delivery of healthcare, broadly defined. “Healthcare Operations” does not include fitness and exercise gyms and similar facilities.
c. For purposes of this Order, individuals may leave their residence to provide any services or perform any work necessary to the operations and maintenance of “Essential Infrastructure,” including, but not limited to, public works construction, construction of housing (in particular affordable housing or housing for individuals experiencing homelessness), airport operations, water, sewer, gas, electrical, oil refining, roads and highways, public transportation, solid waste collection and removal, internet, and telecommunications systems (including the provision of essential global, national, and local infrastructure for computing services, business infrastructure, communications, and web-based services), provided that they carry out those services or that work in compliance with Social Distancing Requirements as defined this Section, to the extent possible. Upon application of hardship by the Village’s Chief Building Official, the Public Health Director may authorize limited private construction activities not limited to the matters set forth in this section.
d. For purposes of this Order, all sworn Police Department and Fire Department personnel (“First Responders”), emergency management personnel, emergency dispatchers, court personnel, and law enforcement personnel, and others working for or to support Essential Businesses are categorically exempt from this Order. Further, nothing in this Order shall prohibit any individual from performing or accessing “Essential Governmental Functions.” Essential Government Functions means all services needed to ensure the continuing operation of the government agencies and provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public and all agencies that provide for the health, safety and welfare of the public. All Essential Governmental Functions shall be performed in compliance with Social Distancing Requirements as defined this Section, to the extent possible.
e. For the purposes of this Order, covered businesses include any for-profit, non-profit, or educational entities, regardless of the nature of the service, the function they perform, or its corporate or entity structure.
f. For the purposes of this Order, “Essential Businesses” means:
i. Healthcare Operations and Essential Infrastructure;
ii. Grocery stores, supermarkets, food banks, convenience stores, and other establishments engaged in the retail sale of canned food, dry goods, fresh fruits and vegetables, pet supply, fresh meats, fish, and poultry, and any other household consumer products (such as cleaning and personal care products). This includes stores that sell groceries and also sell other non-grocery products, and products necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences;
iii. Food cultivation, including farming, livestock, and fishing;
iv. Businesses that provide food, shelter, and social services, and other necessities of life for economically disadvantaged or otherwise needy individuals;
v. Newspapers, television, radio, and other media services;
vi. Gas stations and auto-supply, auto-repair, and related facilities;
vii. Banks and related financial institutions;
viii. Hardware stores;
ix. Plumbers, electricians, exterminators, and other service providers who provide services that are necessary to maintaining the safety, sanitation, and essential operation of residences, Essential Activities, and Essential Businesses;
x. Businesses providing mailing and shipping services, including post office boxes;
xi. Educational institutions—including public and private K-12 schools, colleges, and universities—for purposes of facilitating distance learning or performing essential functions, provided that social distancing of six-feet per person is maintained to the greatest extent possible;
xii. Laundromats, dry cleaners, and laundry service providers;
xiii. Restaurants and other facilities that prepare and serve food, but only for delivery or carry out. Schools and other entities that typically provide free food services to students or members of the public may continue to do so under this Order on the condition that the food is provided to students or members of the public on a pick-up and takeaway basis only. Schools and other entities that provide food services under this exemption shall not permit the food to be eaten at the site where it is provided, or at any other gathering site;
xiv. Businesses that supply products needed for people to work from home;
xv. Businesses that supply other essential businesses with the support or supplies necessary to operate;
xvi. Businesses that ship or deliver groceries, food, goods or services directly to residences;
xvii. Airlines, taxis, and other private transportation providers providing transportation services necessary for Essential Activities and other purposes expressly authorized in this Order;
xviii. Home-based care for seniors, adults, or children;
xix. Residential facilities and shelters for seniors, adults, and children;
xx. Professional services, such as legal or accounting services, when necessary to assist in compliance with legally mandated activities; and
xxi. Childcare facilities providing services that enable employees exempted in this Order to work as permitted. To the extent possible, childcare facilities must operate under the following mandatory conditions:
1. Childcare must be carried out in stable groups of 12 or fewer (“stable” means that the same 12 or fewer children are in the same group each day).
2. Children shall not change from one group to another.
3. If more than one group of children is cared for at one facility, each group shall be in a separate room. Groups shall not mix with each other.
4. Childcare providers shall remain solely with one group of children.
g. For the purposes of this Order, “Minimum Basic Operations” include the following, provided that employees comply with Social Distancing Requirements as defined this Section, to the extent possible, while carrying out such operations:
i. The minimum necessary activities to maintain the value of the business’s inventory, ensure security, process payroll and employee benefits, or for related functions; or
ii. The minimum necessary activities to facilitate employees of the business being able to continue to work remotely from their residences.
i. Any travel related to the provision of or access to Essential Activities, Essential Governmental Functions, Essential Businesses, or Minimum Basic Operations;
ii. Travel to care for elderly, minors, dependents, persons with disabilities, or other vulnerable persons;
iii. Travel to or from educational institutions for purposes of receiving materials for distance learning, for receiving meals, and any other related services;
iv. Travel to return to a place of residence from outside the jurisdiction;
v. Travel required by law enforcement or court order; or
vi. Travel required for non-residents to return to their place of residence outside the Village. Individuals are strongly encouraged to verify that their transportation out of the Village remains available and functional prior to commencing such travel.
i. For purposes of this Order, residences include hotels, motels, shared rental units, and similar facilities.
j. For purposes of this order Social Distancing Requirements includes maintaining at least six-foot social distancing from other individuals, washing hands with soap and water for at least twenty seconds as frequently as possible or using hand sanitizer, covering coughs or sneezes (into the sleeve or elbow, not hands), regularly cleaning high-touch surfaces, and not shaking hands.
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* Out of the blue last month I received an email from former Rep. Helen Satterthwaite (D-Urbana). She asked me a question and I responded and asked how she was getting along…
At 91 plus I am doing pretty well, living at Clark-Lindsey Village in Urbana, planning to be an election judge on March 17 (it will keep me from biting my nails all day waiting for results), enjoying being surrounded by friends and family. Glad my stint in the legislature was then, not now.
Always happy to read your articles. They’re great; keep them coming!
Helen served in the House from 1975 until 1993. She was remapped into Republican turf when the GOP drew the map. I was just so pleased to hear from her. She was a grande dame of the General Assembly in those days.
* Then, I received an email yesterday from former Champaign County Clerk Mark Shelden, a Republican I’ve known since he was on House GOP staff…
Rich,
Yesterday I went to vote at my polling place. An assisted living facility, Clark-Lindsey Village decided to not be a polling place and that precinct was moved into my polling place. When I went to cast my ballot, I was greeted by Helen Satterthwaite. When I was County Clerk she served as an election coordinator for me on election days and now was back to being a judge.
I was then told by one of the other judges that her one day stint as an election judge was going to require her to be quarantined at her Clark-Lindsey Village apartment for two weeks.
I posted it on my Facebook page and then one of my friends contacted WCIA. They did a story on it.
It’s amazing that it’s been 27 years since she left the GA. Old timers know her well, but everyone should admire her dedication. Perhaps during her two week quarantine a few people could drop her a note.
Helen Satterthwaite
Clark-Lindsey Village
101 W Windsor Rd
Urbana, IL 61802
* I asked for permission to publish the WCIA story in its entirety…
Voters in Illinois were hitting the polls Tuesday. While those who came out were taking precautions due to coronavirus, one election judge took the risk even though it means quarantine.
“I was all psyched up and ready to participate,” says former Illinois Representative Helen Satterthwaite. “In a way, it would have been kind of a disappointment not to participate today.”
Satterthwaite has been an election judge for longer than she can remember. Now, she is 91-years old and lives at Clark-Lindsey Village in Urbana. The retirement community enacted a policy Tuesday that says residents who leave campus will have to self-quarantine when they get back. Satterthwaite was originally going to work polls at the retirement community, but she wanted to keep doing her civic duty when things changed.
“When we had to relocate, and some of the judges were no longer able to participate, I thought it would be putting a burden on the County Clerk’s Office to have myself being replaced. As well as all the others,” says Satterthwaite.
She is preparing for two weeks in quarantine. She says she knows Clark-Lindsey will take good care of her in that time. But on election day, she knew she could only be on the front lines.
“I think it’s better than sitting at home wondering what’s happening to an election,” says Satterthwaite. “It’s better to be a part of it instead.”
Click here and watch the video. She’s still got it.
* Mark sent along a photo…
*** UPDATE *** From Ms. Satterthwaite…
Wow! I haven’t had this much attention in a long while. I enjoyed the comments from so many folks that I haven’t heard from in a long time. You certainly have a good readership.
While I appreciate the attention, let’s not forget all those unsung workers who kept things going on election day — at the clerk’s office as well as at the polls. Good troupers, all.
Helen Satterthwaite
Yep. She’s right.
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* Gov. JB Pritzker held his daily COVID-19 press conference in Murphysboro today…
Last Monday, just nine days ago, our known count case, case count sorry was at 11. Our known case count was at 11, and it was all in one county in Cook County.
Yesterday, we had 160 cases reported in 15 counties. Today, our total is 288 across 17 counties, and people of all ages from nine to 99 have contracted COVID-19.
We know this in part due to an increase in testing but also, we know it is spreading this virus knows no boundaries.
As we move forward the administration will continue to use every tool at our disposal to respond to this unprecedented challenge, and to keep people safe.
But as rumors continue to swirl. I do want to assure all of you, essential services will always remain available grocery stores pharmacies gas stations, the things we all need will not be closing down.
I’ll let [IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike] speak to the specifics of the new cases in a moment, but I want to be clear, Illinois is being recognized as a national leader in response to COVID-19. But even so, these numbers will get much worse in Illinois before they will get better.
But it’s precisely because things will get worse, that we must maintain our common values as Illinoisans demonstrating our generosity and our unity.
A few blocks from where we stand now, since the headquarters of the Knights of Columbus branch here in Murphysboro. Every year Murphysboro Knights of Columbus host Friday fish fries during Lent, attracting hundreds of area residents for laughs and good times, community, and celebration.
Until now, this year had looked no different. But the Murphysboro Knights of Columbus didn’t look at the worst of the world outside and declare the end of their tradition.
Two days from now the Murphysboro Knights of Columbus will still have their fish fry. But this year, they will be handing out hundreds of meals through drive thru pickup, a community coming together, providing meals to support their neighbors and keeping each other safe when this is all over we will still have each other. So let’s hang on to that comfort and allow the bonds that connect us to carry us forward.
And, remember, I’m using Otter for transcription, so pardon the typos. This post will be updated.
Jackson County Board Chairman Keith Larkin said “Don’t let fear steal your humanity.”
* Pritzker was asked about a potential lockdown…
What I would say is that we should look at the mistakes that were made in Europe as this crisis was coming upon them, as this Coronavirus was spreading. And we should, it should be a cautionary tale, to all of us that we need to make sure that we’re distancing ourselves, socially distancing ourselves, that people are isolating themselves when they feel, you know that they might have even a cold.
Please stay home. If you have the flu please stay home. If you don’t feel well please stay home because here’s why. Yes, you may not have the coronavirus, but if you get somebody else sick, and then they get Coronavirus, or if you get Coronavirus while you are sick with the flu or a cold, your risk goes up significantly. And you’re putting other people at risk when you go out and potentially transmit whatever it is that you may have. And by the way, you should just assume that you may have Corona virus, just assume that, what would you do, you should self isolate that is the right thing to do so. If you’re not feeling well stay at home my point in pointing to Europe is we need to avoid what happened in Italy, we need to take the actions now to make sure that we do that.
* Pritzker was asked if he would call a special session…
I think, again, we need to make sure that we’re doing this in, in a way that’s healthy and safe. You know that when you open up the Capitol, you’re not just talking about the 177 members of the General Assembly that come. And that’s a gathering that is suggested not to happen according to all the guidelines and of course the order that I gave here in Illinois. But it also includes lobbyists and other people and the staff people that, many staff people who work in the Capitol. So, it is very important for the legislature to, to take that into account to consider what the you know the right thing to do for the legislature is. And so I’ll work with them on that we need to work together.
* The City of Chicago is currently denying FOIA requests during the emergency and Pritzker was asked if he is doing the same…
We will continue to respond to FOIA requests. I would ask members of the media and the public who put in FOIA requests to have some patience because we do have people working at home. We have fewer staff people in the office who are able to access the kinds of documents that people are looking for in their FOIA requests, so hopefully people will be a bit patient but we intend to fulfill FOIA.
* On testing…
CEOs around the country, especially ones that have facilities and do business in the state of Illinois and know us, have been very willing to step up and help us out to take pieces of their supply and send it to us, even separate from what they’re doing, across the rest of the United States. Not putting us in line, but putting us a little bit ahead of the line in the last few days so we’ve increased our testing capability. I just heard that one of our labs today at 1230 received the ability to do thousands more tests, because of work that was done by our staff. And so I’m very happy to say that we’re, be able to do more tests. It’s still not enough to be clear you’re talking about thousands of tests. We need to be able to test many more people than that.
Now, I believe the federal government which has been trying very hard for a long time to expand testing is almost there. They keep telling me that I believe that. Now that may be in the next three days that we’re going to start to see thousands and thousands and thousands more tests for the state of Illinois. So, I will keep reporting to you what I know and what I hear. You know I guess I feel a little bit sometimes like Charlie Brown with Lucy and the football with the federal government because there are some terrific people who work at the federal government. There are people at the CDC, you know, and in the, you know, in the second and third rungs at the Department of Health and Human Services in Washington, who are trying very hard to do the right thing. And those are the people that I’m trying to talk to and implore to help us in the state of Illinois and we’re getting some pretty good response from it.
* Possible prisoner release…
We’ve looked at what types of people we think should be considered eligible for that. You know, that’s, that’s something that I’m always looking about because are, you know, we should do something about the nearly 40,000 prisoners that we have in the state of Illinois.
Having said that, there are some very dangerous people who should not be considered, but there are others that are very vulnerable and who have committed some non violent offense, and who should be first in line if we were to do something like that.
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* Oh, man…
The Illinois Department of Public Health today announced 128 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) across Illinois. Two additional counties are now reporting cases; Kendall and Madison counties.
An additional 20 individuals at the long-term care facility in DuPage County experiencing an outbreak have tested positive, bringing the total to 42 (30 residents and 12 staff).
Currently, IDPH is reporting 288 cases in 17 counties in Illinois. Cases have occurred in ages 9 to 91. Cases by county can be found on the IDPH website, as well as a list of local health departments who will have the most up to date information.
* Graph…
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* Illinois PIRG…
Today, the Illinois Commerce Commission passed several emergency orders in response to the Covid-19 pandemic, including placing moratoriums on utility disconnections as well as on in-person solicitation by alternative retail electric and gas suppliers.
The Commission further opened an inquiry into energy affordability and ordered Peoples Gas to submit a formal response to the recently published engineering study of its distribution system, a study criticized by Illinois PIRG Education Fund for ignoring tough questions facing the troubled Peoples Gas pipe replacement program.
Illinois PIRG Education Fund Director Abe Scarr released the following statement in response:
Thank you Chairperson Zalewski and the Illinois Commerce Commission for taking swift action to protect the public health of Illinois residents by placing moratoriums on utility disconnections and on in-person alternative retail energy supply solicitation.
It’s critical that everyone stay home as much as possible to slow the spread of Covid-19. For many, this means a challenging combination of lost income and higher utility bills. No one should lose essential utility service during a pandemic and be forced from home to stay warm, cook, or power electronics.
We applaud the Commission’s order requiring a formal response from Peoples Gas to its recently published engineering study, a study which did not include critical considerations such as logistical challenges and costs to customers. This action presents an opportunity for the Commission to fulfil its regulatory responsibility and reform the poorly designed, mismanaged Peoples Gas pipe replacement program.
* Mayor Lightfoot…
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today announced that the City of Chicago will be temporarily suspending debt collection practices and non-safety related citations and impounds, as well as penalties for late payment. This penalty relief package directs a temporary suspension of late fees and defaults on payment plans, including city tickets, utility bills, parking and red-light citations, booting and other non-public safety relates violations. Additionally, there will be no new interest accumulated on current compliance plans.
These measures represent the first steps of the administration’s efforts to help reduce the financial impact of COVID-19 on city residents and take effect immediately today through April 30, 2020.
“This is a common sense way that we can help mitigate the burdens and pressures many are feeling. We know that these practices disproportionately impact the residents that are most in need during this crisis,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “We realize that many of our residents are strapped for cash right now as the effort to contain the spread of the coronavirus has created difficult economic circumstances for those who are unable to work. We don’t want to further impact people who can’t afford to pay these penalties today and want to provide some breathing room to help them prioritize how to address their financial obligations.”
Today’s hold harmless announcement also includes the temporary suspension of payment plan defaults and non-safety impounds and an extended deadline for city debt checks on transportation network provider and taxi drivers. Other financial relief efforts include:
Ticket Issuance
Enforcement will be prioritized for safety-related violations.
Enforcement on compliance-related violations will be suspended until April 30, 2020
Parking, Red Light, Speed Camera Violation Collections
Delay assessment of penalty (ticket doubling) until after April 30, 2020
Delay driver’s license suspension until after April 30, 2020
No Booting until after April 30, 2020
Delay referral of tickets to collection firms until after April 30, 2020
No defaults of payment plans for until after April 30, 2020
Utility Bills
Extend due dates until after April 30, 2020 delaying assessment of penalties
Delay referrals to collection firms until after April 30, 2020
No defaults of payment plans until after April 30, 2020
Administrative Hearing Collections
Extend due dates until after April 30, 2020 (this will delay assessment of interest)
Delay referrals to collection firms until after April 30, 2020
No defaults of payment plans until after April 30, 2020
Other Collection Efforts
Extend deadline for TNP and taxi drivers to pay debt to April 30
No debt holds on new licenses or permits
Law firms and collection agencies will cease collection efforts.
In recent days, several other City government operations have moved into reduced hours or full closure, including: City Hall, Administrative Hearings, Navy Pier and Chicago Public Schools. However, Mayor Lightfoot’s administration remains committed to ensuring all vital services and supports will remain in place for residents during this time. Given the rapidly evolving nature of this situation, the City is working diligently to provide timely and transparent updates on changes that pertain to all Chicagoans.
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* Washington Post…
The deluge into unemployment offices is beginning to strain systems. In Ohio, the Department of Job and Family Services said 36,645 claims were filed Monday. That’s typically what the department receives each month, The Columbus Dispatch noted.
Pennsylvania saw more than 50,000 on Monday and more than that on Tuesday, according to a tally from economist Jacob Robbins and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Minnesota officials saw more than 31,000 applications on Monday and Tuesday, the Star Tribune reported. In New Jersey, 15,000 applications arrived on Monday, causing the state’s website to crash, local affiliate WHYY reported.
* I asked the Illinois Department of Employment Security about the situation here…
Hi Rich –
Over the last two days, IDES has received over 41,000 unemployment benefit claims, compared to the same two days during the corresponding week last year, when IDES received 4,445 unemployment benefit claims.
All IDES offices are closed, by the way. You have to call or file online.
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* Email to Illinois House Democrats…
Good afternoon, members –
Please be advised that the session days scheduled for next week will be cancelled; however, as I indicated in my communication earlier this week, the session schedule is “in flux,” and members should be prepared to return to Springfield to address urgent matters. Regarding the committee deadline for House bills, which was set for March 27, that will be extended to April 3; this and other deadlines will be reviewed and extended when needed moving forward.
Generally, members should be re-evaluating any and all travel plans, including those made for the weeks of April 5 and April 12 (the legislative spring break). This is not only due to the need to practice social distancing to safeguard the health of our communities, but also due to the possible need to return to Springfield for session during that time period.
Furthermore, we are planning to have a conference call for all caucus members. We’re planning for tomorrow, but still finalizing the details – more info on this will be sent to members as soon as possible. The agenda will include a status update on the progress of various working groups.
Take care and be well,
Jessica
Jessica Basham, Chief of Staff
Office of the Speaker
*** UPDATE *** The Senate has also canceled next week.
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Congressional roundup
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The venerable Burt Constable…
Setting the stage for what will be one of the fall’s most-watched national races, Illinois State Sen. Jim Oberweis claimed a narrow victory over fellow State Sen. Sue Rezin and political newcomer Catalina Lauf in Tuesday’s race to see which Republican would take on freshman Democratic U.S. Rep. Lauren Underwood in the Nov. 3 general election. With 87% of precincts reporting, Oberweis had 12,305 votes to Rezin’s 11,154 and Lauf’s 10,075. […]
Until two years ago, the 14th Congressional District had been solidly Republican, with U.S. Rep. Randy Hultgren of Plano winning four terms. Before that, an earlier version of the district had been represented for one term by Democrat Bill Foster. Until two years ago, Foster, who now represents the 11th District, had been the only Democrat to interrupt the Republican dominance that had been exerted for the previous 20 years by since-disgraced former Speaker Dennis Hastert of Plano.
* Tribune editorial board...
OK, 6th Congressional District voters, get ready for an intense political journey to November because Jeanne Ives of Wheaton, a firebrand conservative, will take on Rep. Sean Casten of Downers Grove, a high-energy Democrat.
Ives, a former Illinois House member, was on track to soundly defeat Gordon (Jay) Kinzler. But that’s not what makes Ives so formidable. Two years ago she nearly upended Gov. Bruce Rauner in the gubernatorial primary by rallying conservatives who were disappointed in Rauner’s leadership. Her bona fides should play well in the 6th, a longtime Republican district. Casten, a freshman in Washington, was a first-time candidate in 2018 when he took out high-profile incumbent Peter Roskam.
Who’s got the edge in Casten vs. Ives? Hard to say. Casten, who had no primary challenger Tuesday, won in 2018 by riding the blue wave that saw Democrats take control of the House. He also spent nearly $6 million. This cycle, Casten has raised about $2.6 million, according to recent Federal Election Commission reports. Ives has raised about $900,000.
Both of those races will present voters with stark choices. President Trump won the Underwood district four years ago, but times have changed. Hillary Clinton won Casten’s district by 6 points. Ives has a very rough road ahead of her.
* Effingham Daily News…
Mary Miller on Tuesday won the Republican nomination to seek the 15th District seat in the U.S. Congress, according to unofficial results. With 702 of 821 precincts counted, she collected 58 percent of the vote percent of the vote and was declared the winner by the Associated Press over three other candidates.
Kerry Wolff of Altamont had 12.6 percent of the GOP vote. Darren Duncan had 21.6 percent; Chuck Ellington had 7.9 percent.
The primary is the general in that district. Miller is married to state Rep. Chris Miller, a member of the Eastern Bloc, which, as I told subscribers this morning, did quite well yesterday.
* SJ-R…
Springfield Democrat Betsy Dirksen Londrigan is going to get her second chance in two years to take on U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis, R-Taylorville, in a general election.
In the 13th Congressional District primary race, Londrigan, 48, defeated political newcomer Stefanie Smith, 36, of Urbana, by a wide margin.
In 2018, Londrigan came within a percentage point of defeating Davis, who was first elected to the House in 2012. He was unopposed in Tuesday’s Republican primary.
“I’m excited to take on Rodney Davis,” Londrigan said. “I’m excited to be in a position to stand up and protect people’s health care and be here in this race with my neighbors across central Illinois.”
That’s going to be another barn-burner unless the college students aren’t back in school by November.
* Politico…
And though veteran Reps. Danny Davis (7th) and Bill Foster (11th) won their races with ease, the margins were such that political veterans wonder if they’ll face tougher races next time. Davis won by 61 percent and Foster took 59 percent. When an incumbent falls under 65 percent in a primary, there’s an indication of unrest in their district. Under 60 and you’re in danger of losing your seat the next time around. Davis faced three upstarts in Tuesday’s race, and Foster was challenged by Will County Board member Rachel Ventura.
Davis is currently at 65.6 percent. Kristine Schanbacher spent six figures and finished with just 12.1 percent. Davis is probably fine. Remap is coming up, though, so we’ll see what happens to his district.
Foster is at 58.7 percent. Ventura is a Will County Board member and a Bernie Democrat and her showing was likely a direct result of that presidential campaign and her local work. Foster is most definitely not a Bernie Democrat. As long as he continues to work the district, he should be OK, but he apparently needs to take things more seriously next time around.
* US Rep. Dan Lipinski, meanwhile, is scheduled to speak with reporters this afternoon at 2:30. That’s the same time as Gov. JB Pritzker’s daily COVID-19 press conference, however, so he may alter those plans.
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Now more than ever, get out of your bubbles
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The American people have a real problem…
* And then there’s this sort of insanity…
* From Monday…
It shouldn’t be surprising that Britain, which bravely survived being bombed every day by the Germans for months in WWII has come up with the adult and rational strategy to not only survive Coronavirus, but to defeat it and make it go away without causing massive damage to their economy. As the Germans bombed London every day causing massive damage, the Brits adopted the brave strategy of “Keep calm and carry on” and in the end they did just that and helped defeat Germany. And that is exactly what they are doing with the Coronavirus. While the rest of the world is collapsing under fear and hysteria and destroying their economies in defense of the Coronavirus by isolating everybody, Britain is using science, logic, bravery, and common sense to protect their people by just isolating vulnerable people, not strong and healthy people.
While most of the world is shutting down everything from restaurants, bars, travel, museums, sports, and even churches to isolate everybody which will cost trillions of dollars and cause massive economic harm for everybody, Britain is focusing on just isolating the most vulnerable people which are people over 60 with other health issues while letting the majority of people continue to live their lives with very little risk.
* Tuesday…
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson unveiled much more stringent measures to tackle the coronavirus outbreak after new research indicated a quarter of a million people would have died under previous plans to control the spread of pandemic.
* As a result, things are starting to change on the right…
And now the left needs to start waking the heck up. If Fox News can change, so can everyone else. We need to take this more seriously, folks. A lot more seriously. And we need to try to pull together.
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* Team coverage at the Sun-Times…
Chicagoans braced for the threat of coronavirus and plenty of mishaps at polling places to vote in the 2020 primary election — an election with at least two tight races that could be affected by what could be more than a quarter of a million ballots yet to be counted.
Chicago Board of Elections spokesman Jim Allen late Tuesday said 200,000 early voting ballots had yet to be counted, and a “potential universe” of another 70,000 mail-in ballots could arrive to be counted in the next two weeks.
“We’re going to be counting for another two weeks, easily,” Allen said.
Allen explained that the city’s election board normally shuts down early voting the Monday before Election Day. It gathers all the memory chips from machines to be able to report out all early voting data, like “one big happy family of data.”
“This time we had early voting open on Election Day and serving as precinct [polling places], so now those precincts are coming in with all early voting data, going back to Feb. 19th,” Allen said. “That’s 200,212 ballots.”
Keep that in mind.
You can see some five-day-old maps for vote by mail applications here, returned mail here and early voting here to give you a rough idea of what’s out there.
* Regardless of the issues, the Associated Press declared Marie Newman the winner…
Challenger Marie Newman claimed victory over Rep. Dan Lipinski on Tuesday night in a rematch of their nationally watched Democratic congressional primary that was a battle between the party’s progressive and moderate wings.
The businesswoman from La Grange ended nearly four decades of Lipinski family control of the Southwest Side and southwest suburban congressional seat. The congressman’s father, William Lipinski, served from 1983 until 2005, when he engineered the appointment of his son.
“I am bursting with pride and gratitude for the amazing coalition who helped bring about much needed change in our district,” Newman said in a statement. “We are going to work together to lower healthcare costs, to fight climate change, and to continue building a hospitable community for everyone, no matter where you come from.
* Whatever’s left to be counted could be crucial in this race…
Ald. Edward M. Burke, the long-time 14th Ward Democratic Committeeperson, was in a close race to retain the seat against freshman state Rep. Aaron Ortiz, but his chief rival’s lead was growing.
Ortiz — who ousted Burke’s brother, state Rep. Dan Burke, just over a year ago — is leading with 40% of the vote to Burke’s 33%, with 94% of precincts reporting. Alicia Elena Martinez trails with 27% of the vote.
The too-close-to-call race — for now — leaves Burke’s seat, which he has held since 1968, up for grabs.
Ortiz won his House race.
* Perhaps the same goes for this race…
Illinois Supreme Court Justice P. Scott Neville Jr. looked poised to hold the seat on the high court he inherited from the late Justice Charles E. Freeman, but a strong challenge from Appellate Court Justice Jesse Reyes meant there was no clear winner in the race late Tuesday. […]
With 92 percent of precincts reporting, Neville led with 24.4 percent of the vote. Reyes had 21.3 percent, Harris had 16.1 percent, McBride had 12.7 percent, Cobbs had 12.9 percent, Epstein had 7.8 percent, and Howse had 4.8 percent.
Neville is now up by 5.
* The state’s attorney’s race wasn’t close despite huge spending by Bill Conway…
With about 85% of precincts reporting at 10:30 p.m., Foxx had 48% of the vote and Conway had 33%. Two other challengers were polling a distant third and fourth.
* Press release…
State Rep. Yoni Pizer conceded to Margaret Croke in the race for 12th District State Representative on Tuesday.
“I congratulate Margaret Croke on her victory and a hard-fought campaign,” said Rep. Pizer. “I decided to step up and run because I believe strongly that representation matters. I was humbled and honored to be appointed the first-ever openly gay representative of the 12th District, which includes the historically LGBTQ community of Boystown. I intend to work with Representative-Elect Croke to ensure that it receives the representation we need and deserve.”
* Hannah Meisel…
Anti-gun advocate Denyse Wang Stoneback appeared to have defeated appointed State Rep. Yehiel “Mark” Kalish (D-Skokie) in a race that centered on the Democratic Party’s push to expand access to reproductive health care.” […]
In the 3rd District, appointed State Rep. Eva-Dina Delgado appeared to lead Chicago teacher Nidia Carranza, according to unofficial returns. Delgado had the support of Mayor Lori Lightfoot, while Carranza had the support of the Chicago Teachers Union.
In the 9th District, State Rep. Lindsey LaPointe, appeared to lead former WGN radio host Patti Vasquez and Chicago Police Officer Joe Duplechin, according to unofficial returns.
In the Illinois Senate, appointed State Sen. Robert Peters (D-Chicago) appeared to lead immigration attorney Ken Thomas, according to early returns.
* I think this is over, but we’ll see…
Illinois state Sen. Iris Martinez has a big lead in the Democratic primary for clerk of the Cook County Circuit Court. With 3,579 out of 3,668 precincts reporting, Illinois state Sen. Iris Martinez is heading up the four-way race, with 34% of the vote.
Cook County Board of Review Commissioner Michael Cabonargi follows in second place (27%), trailed by former Cook County Commissioner Richard Boykin (25.3%) and civil rights attorney Jacob Meister (13.7%).
That’s gonna mean another legislative appointment.
…Adding… Cabonargi has conceded.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Kinda…
*** UPDATE 2 *** Marie Newman…
“Earlier today, I spoke with Congressman Lipinski, who ran a tough race. I want to thank him for reaching out, and I’m hopeful we can work together in the coming months to fight for our community and to get things done for the Third Congressional District. I am so proud of the coalition we built in this campaign and I am looking forward to continuing to meet with people and hearing their concerns on the campaign trail over the next few months. Now, more than ever, we need to be unified and not divided. Let’s all stand together in this fight for better healthcare, a more equitable economy and solutions that improve everybody’s everyday.”
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* Someone asked me last night how many COVID-19 tests the state is doing every day and how many the state believes it needs to do. As you know, there’s a horrible national shortage of tests right now, although the situation has improved this week. I reached out to the administration yesterday and here’s the response…
Right now, state labs are processing around 300 specimens a day following the more stringent CDC guidelines around who qualifies for a test. Ideally, with private labs and additional testing materials for state labs, thousands of tests could be conducted per day statewide that would give us the data to closely monitor and track community spread. Sentinel surveillance could be expanded so experts could study that data.
* Meanwhile…
Gov. JB Pritzker has signed an emergency declaration, effective through April 12, enabling haulers to get free Illinois Department of Transportation overweight trucking permits for the movement of emergency relief supplies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s always important for haulers to be able to move supplies in a timely and safe manner, but it’s never been more important than right now,” said Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Omer Osman. “We want to assure everyone that we are doing everything we can to assist during this unprecedented time and ensure that the supply chain remains strong.”
Operators are required to carry a copy of the order and waiver, which can be found at webapps.dot.illinois.gov/ITAP.
The order does not apply to posted bridges and local highways with special and seasonal weight restrictions. Haulers can use www.GettingAroundIllinois.com to determine if their routes are free of size and weight restrictions.
“Many truck operators are facing enormous pressure to keep supply lines open in light of the coronavirus pandemic,” said Don Schaefer, executive vice president of the Mid-West Truckers Association. “This action will keep trucks moving on a timely basis to meet the needs of a concerned public.”
* And…
Daily Public Schedule: Wednesday, Mar. 18, 2020
What: Gov. Pritzker to join Metro East officials to discuss the statewide response to COVID-19.
Where: St. Clair County Health Department, Annex Conference Center Meeting Room, 19 Public Square, Belleville
When: 10:30 a.m.
What: The Pritzker administration to hold a daily press briefing on COVID-19.
Where: Jackson County Courthouse, Courtroom 3, 1001 Walnut Street, Murphysboro
When: 2:30 p.m.
* One more for now…
With Illinois on Tuesday reporting 160 coronavirus cases and one death, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has assigned duties to about 60 Illinois National Guard service members to assist the state with its COVID-19 response.
Pritzker joins several other governors who have called on the National Guard for help. The service members were assigned duties Monday, the governor’s office said. […]
On Tuesday, the governor’s office said Pritzker a day prior had activated about 60 Illinois National Guard service members — that includes 43 airmen from the Peoria-based 182nd Airlift Wing’s Medical Group and 17 planners and liaison officers from both Army National Guard and Air National Guard units from across the state, including medical planners.
“The activation is to assist with anticipated need for logistic support and medical staffing,” Pritzker spokeswoman Jordan Abudayyeh said.
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Open thread
Wednesday, Mar 18, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Man, what a morning. Up really late, overslept a bit, lost my Internet connection, browser problems. You name it, I got it. Great timing, too. Be nice to each other. I’ll have another post up soonish. I need another cup of coffee first, though.
…Adding… And the coffee maker just broke.
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Election night preview: Be patient
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Scott Kennedy at Illinois Election Data has a very well-written and thoughtful piece on his website (click here) that he condensed for Twitter several hours ago about today’s election. Here’s the tweet thread…
Holding an election during a global pandemic is not optimal. Here’s an explainer on what’s known, what’s unknown and what to expect. I’ll tweet some key items below.
Without a pandemic, turnout could have been a record high, at least on the Democratic side. It’s very hard to predict what it will be now. 730,000 people (D & R) have already voted but that’s probably at most a third of potential likely voters.
As many as 165,000 vote by mail ballots could still be returned if they are postmarked by today. They can be counted if they arrive any time in the next two weeks.
Be patient. Only the results of large margin victories will be known tonight, if at all. More data may come in the next day or two, some data won’t be in until two weeks later. Far less will be known about election results tonight than in any Illinois election in the modern era.
Don’t automatically assume the first reported election results tonight include EV. Election authorities aren’t legally allowed to count early vote & already received vote by mail ballots until after the polls close at 7pm. They can organize them, they just can’t count them.
Some election authorities will count EV/VBM ballot first tonight, others will count them last once all of their other precincts are in and others won’t count them until tomorrow or Thursday. Some of that happens in Illinois even during normal elections.
Over the next few days you will be able to see the totals by county/election authority of the number of ballots that remain uncounted or outstanding on the State Board of Elections’ website.
In the days following today some election authorities will update their totals each day with newly received or counted data, others will wait all two weeks. It will vary by election authority but it may take the full two weeks before the results of close elections are known.
Finally, please be patient and lower your expectations. Conducting an election is challenging in the best of circumstances and these are extraordinary times. It will also be safe to assume that the remaining unknowns are larger than you probably expect.
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A glimpse into our future
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Haru Coryne at ProPublica Illinois…
Illinois hospitals face the possibility of widespread bed shortages if the novel coronavirus that causes COVID-19 continues to spread through the state, according to several scenarios analyzed by Harvard’s Global Health Institute.
Perhaps 1.7 million adults living in Illinois are projected to get the virus over the course of the pandemic, with thousands expected to become sick enough to need a hospital bed, the analysis found. Yet across the state, from metropolitan Chicago to southern Illinois, hospitals lack enough beds, including intensive care unit beds, to meet that rising need.
The model projects how different hospital systems around the country could handle a surge in patient admissions if 20%, 40% or 60% of the adult population becomes infected over 6, 12 or 18 months. The projections are based on 2018 hospital occupancy levels and bed counts, as well as the trajectory of the virus so far. According to the model, about a fifth of adults who are infected will need to be hospitalized.
How soon regions run out of hospital beds depends on how fast the novel coronavirus spreads and how many open beds they had to begin with. Here’s a look at the whole country. You can also search for your region.
In all but the best-case scenario, where the infection is held to 20% over 18 months, more than half of the hospital regions in Illinois would run out of beds.
If 40% of the adult population in Illinois becomes infected with the virus over the next 12 months — the moderate scenario considered by the Harvard team — there will be bed shortages in every part of the state, including places along the border, such as East St. Louis, where people may rely on hospitals in other states.
Click here for more. Half a decade ago, excess hospital beds were seen as a huge problem that had to be fixed.
* Meanwhile…
Expect this to happen in all crucial sectors.
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Late afternoon/evening precinct reports
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Ah, Chicago…
The answer is: Yes.
…Adding… This has been getting a lot of play on Twitter…
By coincidence, my pal Chris Dudley voted at that precinct. Her story…
Rich,
I wanted to let you know about Andy and my experience voting in Chicago this morning. Our normal polling place is at a neighborhood nursing home. We were informed last week via mail that the polling place had been changed to a new location. When we arrived at the new location this morning, the delightful poll worker informed us that our particular precinct was not voting at this location— because they never received the materials. She informed us that we would need to vote at the Police HQ on Addison (which has been the location for early voting in the 44th ward). As we departed, hand written signs we noticed (which we missed) were posted on the doors to inform the voters of our precinct where to proceed.
So off we went to the Police HQ. The line at 11:00 was very long wrapping around the building. Many candidates , including Margaret Croke, were working the line (at an appropriate distance). The poll workers were EXCELLENT. They were professional, patient and attentive to the social distancing necessary at this time. The voters in line were equally delightful. No complaining, seemed delighted to be out in the fresh air while they waited. It was encouraging to see so many folks lined up to vote. Adding, I have never stood in line to vote in all my years voting in Chicago…but was most happy to do so today.
Stay safe. Stay healthy.
…Adding… Oh, my…
* As I told subscribers this morning, I won’t have live election results here tonight, but I will have links to sites where you can see those results. I will have a ScribbleLive post for winners, however.
Now, on to the precinct reports. Tell us what you’re seeing, what you’re hearing and where you’re at. Thanks!
[Comments are now off. Please move to the live election coverage post.]
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Question of the day
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* In all the chaos I forgot it was St. Patrick’s Day. So, how about let’s talk about our favorite St. Patrick’s Day political moments in days gone by?
…Adding… Musical interlude…
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* Gov. Pritzker said today at his daily news conference that a COVID-19 patient has died. Click here to watch or listen.
His announcement…
I’m deeply saddened to share news that I’ve dreaded since the earliest days of this outbreak. The first KOVID-19 related deaths in Illinois.
The patient, a woman in her 60s with an underlying condition resided in Chicago was not a nursing home resident, and was diagnosed with Cova 19 earlier this month.
I want to extend my deepest condolences to her family members. I want them to know that the entire state of Illinois mourns with them.
May her memory be a blessing.
Remember that I’m using Otter for transcription, so there will be typos.
* More bad news…
On Saturday I announced that one of our new cases was a woman residing at a private long term care facility in DuPage County. We acted immediately to send in an IDPH infectious control team to make sure that every precaution was being taken and to institute even more stringent procedures. They tested the home’s entire population, including all residents and all employees and tests so far have revealed 22 positive confirmed cases. 18 residents and four staff members. All of the individuals who have tested positive are now isolated at the facility or at a hospital and visitors have been restricted.
This situation reinforces just how critical it is especially for our vulnerable populations that we get approvals and supplies from the federal government, so that we can test large groups of vulnerable people earlier than we are able to now.
My team and I have been on the phone, day and night communicating with the medical testing supply chain. But the federal government is monopolizing supplies and not providing them to the States.
They set deadlines, and they blew through them. They told us capacity would increase and it hasn’t the powerhouse research institutions. Here in Illinois including universities, hospitals and national laboratories are lending their own world class resources to the fight against COVID-19, but they’re running into the same roadblocks that the state laboratories are. This is an incredible failure by the federal government and everyday that they continue to abdicate their responsibilities is another day that we fall behind. I’ve requested and now I’m demanding that the White House, the FDA and the CDC produce a rapid increase in test deployment nationwide, or get out of the way, and allow us to obtain them elsewhere ourselves
* Small business…
We’re also working expeditiously to mitigate the challenges that small businesses are facing. My Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has secured the necessary documentation to declare a statewide economic injury declaration, and the US Small Business Administration will receive it shortly. The SBA is offering coronavirus Disaster Assistance loans to help impacted companies get through this period of instability. And this will ensure that all of our counties qualify for assistance. Once approved by the SBA, you’ll be able to access this through our dceo website.
* Regarding the Chicago Board of Elections statement earlier today…
Last week the Chicago Board asked me to do something that is unquestionably not within my legal authority. According to their statement earlier today they wanted me unilaterally to cancel in person voting on March 17 convert Illinois to an all vote by mail state and extend vote by mail to May 12. Not surprisingly, they could not even begin to explain the legal basis for their request, nor could they explain how they believe that they at the election authorities across the state could effectively convert the election to all vote by mail, nor could they promise the people of Illinois that the state would be able to hold an election on the suggested date of May 12.
I will not use this moment, this moment to supersede my constitutional authority. I will not.
There are people out there today who want to say, ‘Oh, it’s a crisis bend the rules that overstep your authority.’ Let me tell you this. It is exactly in times like these. When the constitutional boundaries of our democracy should be respected, above all else, and if people want me want to criticize me for that if people want to criticize me for that. Well go ahead, I’ll wear it like a badge of honor.
Every step that we’ve taken during this crisis, my legal team has understood and laid out our legal authority to do it. Where we felt my authority didn’t extend to some action that we felt we needed to take to keep people safe. We have worked with the individuals or entities involved. To get to the right answer. All of them have stepped up to the plate. All except the Chicago Board of Elections.
The governor’s office provided the opportunity to use the National Guard to help staff the election. And we also worked to recruit volunteers, 2000, young people from the Mikva Challenge were turned away from volunteering, because the board wouldn’t reduce red tape.
So instead of accepting help or offering any solutions of their own, the Chicago Board of Elections decided to wait until Election Day to call the press and attempt to shift the blame for their failings. […]
If you were on Twitter one minute claiming Donald Trump is making dictatorial grabs, and the next minute screaming that the governor needs to overturn state statutes and constitutional law to deny people their right to vote, you need to get your priorities straight.
I have a responsibility to the people of the state of Illinois to make sure that democracy survives through everything that through everything democracy will be preserved. That through everything democracy will be venerated. And I have a responsibility to the life and safety of the people of my state to their well being and to their health.
Whew.
* From a press release…
Currently, IDPH is reporting 160 cases in 15 counties in Illinois. Cases have occurred in ages 9 to 91.
* Updated graph…
* On to questions. The governor was asked about the federal recommendation to limit crowd sizes to 10 and if he would do that here…
I’m continuing to consult with medical doctors and the scientists about this, as you’ve seen guidance that has come forward from the CDC and others has changed really from day to day. There’s been an increasing concern about the numbers of people who gather and the potential for passing coronavirus from one person to another. And so we’re going to continue to evaluate that every day and consider what options we may need to take going forward.
The governor said he offered to send National Guard members in “plain clothes” to help with Chicago’s polling place issues and that was rejected.
* Asked again about preschool and daycare…
Yeah, at the moment our belief is that providing daycare in small groups, providing preschool, again, in small groups - remember preschool got closed if it was in a K 12 facility to many people in that location. But in small groups, we wanted to make sure that we kept at least an opportunity for there to be daycare. We’re continuing to evaluate that, but right now I think that’s where we’ll stay.
Presser has ended.
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* Press release…
Attorney General Kwame Raoul today warned businesses to maintain fair prices on goods and announced that the Attorney General’s office will take action to stop unfair pricing on items that are crucial to stopping the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Raoul’s office has received more than 100 complaints over the last few days from individuals about what they believe is price gouging on items tied to the epidemic, such as hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, face masks and disinfectant sprays. Attorney General Raoul is directing businesses to maintain fair pricing, particularly on items public health agencies are recommending people use to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The Attorney General’s office is collaborating with state’s attorneys throughout Illinois to combat price gouging within communities. In addition, Gov. Pritzker issued an executive order Monday that prohibits price gouging and give the Attorney General enforcement authority. Raoul’s office is currently prioritizing enforcement action for price gouging on essential medical supplies, such as protective gear, and other items identified in the governor’s executive order.
“Now more than ever, it is crucial to put people before profits, and I will not hesitate to use my office’s authority to take decisive action against those that deliberately raise the prices of items that are crucial to stopping the spread of the coronavirus. I am committed to collaborating with partners in law enforcement and retail to ensure that businesses do not seize upon this crisis to make money,” Raoul said. “Price gouging will not be tolerated, and I will use all tools at my office’s disposal to hold accountable anyone whose pricing prevents Illinois residents from purchasing necessities that can save the lives of our most vulnerable residents by stopping the spread of the coronavirus.”
The Attorney General’s office is responsible for enforcing the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, which provides consumer protections against fraudulent and deceptive business practices. Raoul’s office has contacted state’s attorneys and law enforcement agencies, as well as the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, to ensure that businesses do not inhibit efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus by exorbitantly raising prices on items people need in order to avoid contracting COVID-19.
In addition to encouraging individuals to file complaints related to unfair pricing, Raoul’s office is monitoring products on websites including Amazon, eBay and Facebook, and contacting companies regarding ads or offers that may be problematic. The Attorney General’s office will continue to investigate and attempt to mediate allegations of unfair pricing.
Raoul’s office is also encouraging people to limit purchases to only items they need and to avoid “hoarding” items that are in high demand as more residents make plans to remain at home to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
* Meanwhile, Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) is either unclear on the concept or he’s pouting…
My only concern is some of that stuff just doesn’t make sense. Why not close grocery stores also? Why only restaurants and bars?
Yeah, close the grocery stores. Right. We need grocery stores, Senator. Bars and Applebee’s? Not so much.
* Highlights from the WBEZ live blog…
Mayor Lori Lightfoot has postponed the monthly City Council meeting scheduled tomorrow, citing new guidance on COVID-19 precautions from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s office. […]
The Chicago Transit Authority says the coronavirus appears to be having an effect on ridership. The agency says that, Wednesday through Friday, train ridership was down 19% and bus ridership dropped 6%. The CTA says those were the latest preliminary ridership statistics available.
* From the Tribune’s live blog…
Some Illinois liquor stores expect spike in demand in wake of coronavirus bar closures […]
Highland Park paramedics under quarantine after treating patient with possible exposure to COVID-19
The prospect of losing our first responders to quarantine (or worse) is something that truly alarms me about the next several weeks.
…Adding… Another one…
A Chicago Fire Department paramedic has tested positive for coronavirus and has now been quarantined, City Hall disclosed Tuesday.
The first confirmed case to any of the city’s first-responders was disclosed by Dr. Allison Arwady, the city’s health commissioner, during a conference call with reporters that include Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
“CDPH has already done an investigation [to] ensure the safety of fellow employees. There’s no indication that the member contracted the virus during a service call. The case is doing well in isolation at home,” Arwady said.
* From the WUIS live blog…
Lincoln Library Closes, Public Encouraged Not To Attend Tuesday City Council Meeting, Springfield Fire Department Offers Phone Line To Self-Report COVID-19 […]
Sangamon County Declared “Disaster Area”
* Meanwhile…
Illinois is allowing marijuana dispensaries to provide curbside sales to medical patients to protect them from potential coronavirus infection.
A memo from the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation sent to dispensaries on Monday provided guidelines. “The exchange of cash and product must take place on the dispensary’s property or on a public walkway or at the curb of the street adjacent to the dispensary.”
Home delivery is not allowed. Dispensaries must scan the ID cards of patients or caregivers, but they don’t have to hand over the IDs.
They should have drive-through windows.
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Early afternoon precinct reports
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Hannah Meisel…
12th House
Though there had already been tension in the 12th District as newcomers began lining up in the summer to fight longtime House member Sara Feigenholtz, after former Senate President John Cullerton announced he was planning on retiring in November, even more Democrats got into the race to replace Feigenholtz, who almost immediately announced her intention to seek Cullerton’s empty Senate seat. […]
The campaigns got heated over the weekend over protections for Coronavirus, with Pizer’s campaign throwing arrows accusing Croke’s campaign of putting lives at risk for still engaging in limited in-person get-out-the-vote activity at early voting locations.
Tensions also bubbled on Monday when Pizer’s campaign accused Croke’s campaign of covering up signs that included a message regarding why the campaign was not engaging in in-person canvassing during the COVID-19 outbreak.
Croke spokesman Hugo Jacobo said Pizer’s campaign “ha[d] no proof” it was done by a Croke campaign member.
“No one on our team did that or would do that,” Jacobo said. “100 percent of our efforts are on communicating with voters.”
At least they weren’t actually stealing the signs. /s
* Latest updates…
* Sun-Times: City elections board spars with governor’s office over decision not to postpone primary
* SJ-R: ‘Interest is starting to grow’
* Tribune: DuPage Co. restocking polling places with hand sanitizer, other supplies as votes trickle in
* NBC 5: DuPage County Clerk announces that more than 9,800 votes had been cast as of 8 a.m. No additional polling places were closed in the county Tuesday, but 17 closures were previously announced, all of which were relocated to the DuPage County Fairgrounds.
* Daily Herald: Seven Lake County polling places to change due to pandemic
* What’s going on in your neck of the woods? Make sure to tell us where you’re at. And, please, don’t engage in policy and campaign debates. We have other threads for that. People read these threads to get an idea about what’s going on. So, enlighten us. Thank you kindly.
[Comments are now closed, so click here for a fresh post.]
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[The following is a paid advertisement.]
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DoIT implementing “new security feature”
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Hannah Meisel yesterday…
State agencies are currently implementing plans for “a temporary reduction of government functions and workforce while maintaining core functions and essential operations,” the governor’s office said, but those plans will not be available for a few days.
Marjani Williams, a spokesperson for the Department of Central Management Services, which handles some human resources functions for every state agency, told The Daily Line last week that CMS is “in the process” of finalizing updates to the state’s work-from-home policy and would soon have concrete changes to respond to COVID-19. […]
Meanwhile, the state’s Department of Innovation and Technology is implementing new security measures for state employees who access state data “while away from the office,” according to an internal memo to some state employees obtained by The Daily Line on Friday.
State employees who received the memo have until Monday to complete enrollment in multi-factor authentication, which will allow remote access to state Outlook email.
“Strengthening our state cybersecurity is a top priority for both DoIT and Governor Pritzker,” the memo said. “As our workforce becomes more accustomed to accessing state data when away from the office, the risk of a security breach increases. To reduce this risk, the Department of Innovation and Technology (DoIT) with support from the Governor’s office, is implementing a new security feature to help ensure our state accounts are better protected from external threats.”
Oh, I’m sure this is all going to come off without a hitch. /s
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* WBEZ…
School assignments given during the mandatory school closure should not count toward student grades because most school districts are not ready for e-learning, according to the Illinois State Board of Education.
All K-12 schools in the state will be closed from March 17 until at least March 30 under an order from Gov. JB Pritzker.
While some school districts are able to move to e-learning to continue class remotely, the state board says most districts don’t have the capability. Of the 614 districts that responded to a survey sent by ISBE over the weekend, 71% said they had obstacles to moving to e-learning. The biggest challenge was student access to broadband, followed by access to digital devices.
The board said it’s a matter of equity not to have assignments impact grades during this time. The state is exploring options to move districts to e-learning if closures go beyond March 30, but that is at the exploratory stage.
Chicago Public Schools instructed teachers to hand out learning packets Monday to be completed by students during the shutdown. CPS CEO Janice Jackson said this work should be seen primarily as enrichment, but she also suggested teachers could find ways to get students to do it.
We are now paying the price for years of inaction on this front. Hopefully, this will finally break the logjam.
* And the school closures could last longer than two weeks. President Trump said yesterday it was possible the pandemic would be with us through July or August. Sun-Times…
For the second time this school year, Chicago families face an uncertain future as all schools close Tuesday — but this time it’s because of the coronavirus outbreak that has taken over life in the United States.
City and schools officials are making efforts to ease the burden on families in need, but Mayor Lori Lightfoot acknowledged Monday that it’s not yet clear whether school can resume at the end of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mandated two-week closure March 31.
“This is an incredibly fluid situation, which is an understatement,” Lightfoot told reporters after touring the district’s coronavirus command center. “I don’t want to get ahead of myself and predict what may be happening in April because as a matter of fact it’s hard for us to predict what’s going to happen one or two days in advance.”
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
Today the Office of Governor JB Pritzker, the Illinois Education Association (IEA), the Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT), Illinois Association of School Administrators (IASA), Illinois Principals Association (IPA), and Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) released the following statement:
These are unprecedented times, but we are all together with the goal of caring for students. Our organizations are truly inspired by the phenomenal cooperation shown across the state and encourage all of our members to be reasonable, creative, and generous while determining what’s best for our students in Illinois. ISBE has announced that these will be Act of God Days. To assist our members during this time, the leadership of the IEA, IFT, IASA, and IPA have prepared this joint guidance with the Office of Governor JB Pritzker and ISBE to be effective through March 30, 2020. As this is a rapidly evolving situation, subsequent guidance may be released.
From March 17 through March 30, all school district employees on the district’s payroll will get paid as if the schools were functioning normally, regardless of the district plans developed during this time. These school days will not be made up. All employees will get paid as if they did all the normal work they would have done if schools were functioning normally. Normal pay includes salary, hourly and stipend pay, benefits, and employees will receive full and normal service credit in their pension systems.
From March 17 through March 30, the employer can expect school district employees to participate in work activities in some form. The concrete details of the work, including stipend work, that will occur during this timeframe must be worked out through mutual agreement, but negotiations should focus on ensuring (1) continuity of education, (2) provision of meals, and (3) other student support measures as appropriate for each district. Public health and safety of students and staff are paramount, and to the extent work can be done remotely, it should be. Illinois Department of Public Health and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommendations on social distancing and group gatherings should be adhered to. Employers should not require any more employees than absolutely necessary to come to school.
No school district can unilaterally change the use of benefit days. We encourage local collaboration on the use of benefit days and encourage ways to support anyone who is sick or is caring for a sick family member.
We acknowledge that the current law on teacher evaluation and Reduction in Force (honorable dismissal and layoff) remains in full force including all timelines and existing statutory language. If necessary, meetings and evaluation conferences associated with these statutes will occur remotely.
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* AP…
In Illinois, Cook County Clerk Karen A. Yarbrough took to Twitter on Tuesday morning to encourage poll workers to mark space on the floor at polling sites to keep voters a safe distance apart and avoid spreading the virus. The tweet included a photo of a roll of blue tape, a piece of string and a tape measure along with a note that concludes: “THIS PICTURE CAN SAVE LIVES.”
Yarbrough said shortly after the polls opened, however, that she had heard of no problems at the county’s polling sites and expected “things to go well” on Tuesday.
“I’m just hopeful that we’ll have a good day voting for the people,” she said.
Not since New York City postponed its mayoral primary on the day of the Sept. 11, 2001, attacks has an election been pushed off in such a high-profile, far-reaching way. Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine initially asked a court to delay the vote, and when a judge refused to do so the state’s health director declared a health emergency that would prevent the polls from opening.
* DuPage County Clerk…
Voting is proceeding in DuPage County.
By 8:00 AM, 9,894 voters had cast ballots today, for an overall turnout of 8% of 49,745 cast. DuPage County has 613,430 registered voters.
No additional polling places have been closed today. […]
This morning, the DuPage County Division of Transportation delivered additional stocks of hand sanitizer and cleaning supplies to every polling place in DuPage County. A team of 25 field representatives will be deployed across the County throughout the day to keep polling places restocked with supplies.
* Daily Herald…
The continuing spread of the COVID-19 pandemic has prompted the closure of seven Lake County polling places for Tuesday’s primary election — but alternate sites have been established.
* SJ-R…
It’s 7:15 a.m. and Sangamon County clerk Don Gray is pleased.
“We opened every poll on time and everyone is staffed,” Gray said. “I’m proud of how the election judges have stepped up and done their civic duty.”
There are 79 polling stations for 180 precincts. And Gray says those polls are safe. Voters will have hand sanitizer and election judges will be wiping down every surface at the polls with disinfectant wipes.
* But Chicago (surprise!) is a freaking mess. And to cover themselves, election officials are shifting blame…
Chicago Board of Election Commissioners spokesman Jim Allen said city election officials asked Gov. J.B. Pritzker to call off in-person voting but the governor declined.
Allen said board of election officials spoke with the Governor’s staff last week hours after health authorities declared the coronavirus outbreak a global pandemic.
“We were urging the postponement of the election, the abandonment of the polling place model of voting and a conversion to vote by mail for the safety of the voting public,” Allen said.
“They’ve been trying to get away from in-precinct [voting] for years and we always say no,” explained one top Dem about Chicago election authorities. “It’s insane,” the person added. “They are government officials. They should be doing their jobs not making it worse simply to cover their own [behinds].”
* This was my question during the conference call…
Having a plan is one thing, executing it is quite another.
* They simply did not do their jobs and now want to blame others when nobody else is complaining like this…
He was also unaware of an offer by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency to provide the city with hand sanitizer and dodged a question about the state’s offer to supply 2,000 high school kids in a state program which was apparently denied when city elections officials refused to waive polling place training requirements.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Jordan Abudayyeh…
Our nation and our state are facing a crisis at the moment. Over the last week, so many leaders have stepped up to the plate to offer innovative solutions to our challenges and, unfortunately, there are those who have shirked their responsibility.
Last week, the Chicago Board of Elections held a call with the Governor’s office, the House Speaker and the Senate President where they voiced concern about having enough election judges. The Governor’s Office offered to provide the National Guard to help staff the election and we also worked to recruit volunteers. 2000 young people from the Mikva Challenge were turned away from volunteering because the board wouldn’t reduce red tape. So instead of accepting help or offering any solutions of their own, the Chicago Board of Elections decided to wait until Election Day to get on a call with press and make politically charged accusations.
The Governor cannot unilaterally cancel or delay an election. Elections are the cornerstone of our democracy and we could not risk confusion and disenfranchisement in the courts. No one is saying this is a perfect solution. We have no perfect solutions at the moment. We only have least bad solutions.
What’s concerning is that the board has time to play politics instead of doing their job. Instead of hosting a press call to pass on the blame for their failures, we would urge the Chicago Board of Elections to focus on ensuring our democracy can continue as uninterrupted as possible by troubleshooting the issues at the polls.
This administration and the Governor are focused on our critical health needs around the state today. The Chicago Board of Elections should find a way to do their job.
…Adding… Agreed…
*** UPDATE 2 *** Jim Allen has stepped into a buzzsaw…
*** UPDATE 3 *** Walkback…
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Mid-morning precinct reports
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Chicago Elections Board is reporting extremely low turnout, just 10,000 in the first hour.
Here’s a list of news media campaign update pages with the latest headlines. Click the links throughout the day to stay updated…
* Sun-Times: Election judges report sanitizer shortages: ‘I’m not sure what we’re supposed to do’
* WBEZ: Virus doesn’t stop Illinois election
* SJ-R: Primary Election Day updates: Polls are open, all are staffed
* Tribune: https://www.sj-r.com/news/20200317/primary-election-day-updates-polls-are-open-all-are-staffed
* NBC 5: DuPage County Clerk announces that more than 9,800 votes had been cast as of 8 a.m. No additional polling places were closed in the county Tuesday, but 17 closures were previously announced, all of which were relocated to the DuPage County Fairgrounds.
* Daily Herald: Seven Lake County polling places to change due to pandemic
If you run across any other such links, please let me know.
* How are things looking like by you? Tell us what you see and where you are. Thanks.
[Comments are closed. Fresh thread is here.]
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* He’s right, of course…
As the United States continues to struggle to ramp up basic testing for COVID-19, experts at the World Health Organization on Monday emphasized that countries should prioritize such testing—and that social-distancing measures are not enough.
“We have a simple message for all countries: test, test, test,” WHO Director General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus (aka Dr. Tedros) said in a press briefing March 16. […]
“The most effective way to prevent infections and save lives is breaking the chains of transmission,” he went on. “And to do that, you must test and isolate. You cannot fight a fire blindfolded. And we cannot stop this pandemic if we don’t know who is infected.””
But we don’t have nearly enough tests. Not even close. And that’s having serious consequences.
* Sun-Times…
Laura Koch was enjoying a show at the Chicago Theater earlier this month when a cough that started earlier in the day got worse and she developed a fever.
She left at intermission, and by the following day she developed more symptoms consistent with the coronavirus, including shortness of breath and vomiting.
Though she’s tried repeatedly to get tested for COVID-19, her efforts have proved fruitless.
For nearly 10 days, city and state officials, emergency room doctors and even her personal physician have rebuffed her requests. Despite being diagnosed with pneumonia — which can be caused by the novel coronavirus — Koch didn’t meet the state’s threshold for testing because she hadn’t come into contact with a person that tested positive or traveled to a hotbed for the disease, like China or Italy.
“I’m really frustrated with our whole system,” said Koch, a sales trainer for a food service company who remains self-quarantined in her Uptown apartment. “We hear that all these tests are available, but they’re obviously not.” […]
Dr. Robert Murphy, director of the Global Institute for Public Health at Northwestern University, said anyone that’s even exhibiting “minor symptoms” should already be getting tested — but mistakes at the federal level in not ramping up testing sooner have limited capacity, leading to the severe restrictions. Now, to make more tests available, it’s not as easy as simply “flipping a switch,” he said.
This is just maddening.
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Early morning precinct reports
Tuesday, Mar 17, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the Village of Barrington…
As of this morning, Tuesday, March 17 at 6:15 a.m., there is currently NO VOTING at Village Hall, and likely other Village of Barrington polling places, due to a lack of election judge volunteers reporting for duty. Unfortunately we do not have any further information for our residents as to where or how to vote at this time.
Cook County Elections Department “leases” space for elections; Village Hall is one of those spaces. We provide the building, but do not provide judges, nor do we have any authority to do so.
Before you head to your polling place today, please contact your election board for further information
Oh, man.
What’s it looking like where you vote? How are the crowds? What’s the mood? Please tell us what you’re seeing and where you’re at. Thanks.
…Adding… Daily Line…
Chicago Board of Election Commissioners Chair Marisel Hernandez told reporters Monday that the election would be the “most difficult in 100 years.”
Hernandez pleaded with “young, healthy” Chicagoans to serve as election judges by simply showing up to a polling place Tuesday.
There has been a “tsunami” of resignations of election judges, Hernandez said.
“We are in an untenable position,” Hernandez said.
But even if polling places open as scheduled, it is not clear how many voters will show up amid fears that they could get sick, or unwittingly spread the virus.
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* Yesterday…
Within hours of Pritzker proclaiming the latest move to try and curb the spread of the coronavirus, a 12-feet-long, 3-feet-wide spray-painted black on white background message across the front of the restaurant proclaimed:
“Governor Pritzker — Screw You.”
Peggy Brandon, the owner of the restaurant at 114 W. Market St., said Sunday afternoon that public reaction had ranged from anger to support and she remained unrepentant.
“I did it myself because he (Pritzker) had no business shutting my business down,” said Brandon, 57.
* Today…
Rosati’s of Taylorville, the defiant pizza restaurant that posted a huge window sign that said “Gov. Pritzker — Screw You” after the governor announced a statewide restaurant shutdown, has lost its franchise with the Rosati’s chain.
A letter from Rosati’s head office displayed on a Facebook page, which the Warrenville-based company confirmed to the Herald & Review Monday was genuine, slammed Taylorville franchisee Peggy Brandon for her “juvenile approach.”
It added: “Because this franchisee does not hold our same values, we have terminated their franchise.” […]
Brandon said 20 employees would be left without a paycheck in an overreaction to a disease that has yet to produce a single case in Christian County. “And yet he (Pritzker) wants me and my servers to go without income for two weeks. Is the government going to pay us? Hell no, they’re not. Pritzker is a (expletive expletive). He needs to go.”
Full statement…
Seems a bit harsh.
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* One of the errands I ran today was getting a new license plate sticker. Whew…
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is announcing that all offices, including Driver Services facilities statewide, will be closed to the public due to the COVID-19 virus and the health and safety recommendations by experts endorsing social distancing efforts. The closures will take effect March 17 through March 31.
Expiration dates for driver’s licenses, identification (ID) cards, vehicle registrations and other transactions and document filings will be extended by 30 days through an emergency rule.
White also joins a growing list of states and industries calling on the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to push back the Oct. 1, 2020, federal REAL ID deadline due to the impact COVID-19 is having on the general public and driver’s license and ID card-issuing agencies nationwide.
“After careful consideration, it is clear that this decision to close offices and Driver Services facilities is the right one to make for the health and safety of Illinoisans,” said White. “This important action will help prevent the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”
White is reminding residents that many transactions with the Secretary of State’s office may be conducted online at www.cyberdriveillinois.com. Customers are encouraged to take advantage of these online services, some of which include:
• obtaining a duplicate driver’s license or ID card;
• renewing a vehicle registration;
• obtaining a driver record abstract;
• renewing a standard driver’s license with the Safe Driver Renewal program;
• filing Business Services documents, such as incorporations and annual reports;
• customers with issues involving administrative hearings may contact 312-793-3722 or 217-782-7065.
White stressed that the office will continue to monitor the COVID-19 crisis. Expert advice, news and events involving the virus will influence the reopening date of offices and the Driver Services facilities.
“We will do everything we can to help protect the health and safety of our residents,” said White. “This will, and must, be the guiding principle of our decision making.”
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* If you click here and read the governor’s new executive order, you’ll see the state statutes listed that justify his decision to close restaurants and bars and limit the size of gatherings to less than 50 people. The powers derive from the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act and the governor is invoking sections 7(1), 7(2), 7(3) and 7(8). Here they are…
Sec. 7. Emergency Powers of the Governor. In the event of a disaster, as defined in Section 4, the Governor may, by proclamation declare that a disaster exists. Upon such proclamation, the Governor shall have and may exercise for a period not to exceed 30 days the following emergency powers; provided, however, that the lapse of the emergency powers shall not, as regards any act or acts occurring or committed within the 30-day period, deprive any person, firm, corporation, political subdivision, or body politic of any right or rights to compensation or reimbursement which he, she, it, or they may have under the provisions of this Act:
(1) To suspend the provisions of any regulatory statute prescribing procedures for conduct of State business, or the orders, rules and regulations of any State agency, if strict compliance with the provisions of any statute, order, rule, or regulation would in any way prevent, hinder or delay necessary action, including emergency purchases, by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency, in coping with the disaster.
(2) To utilize all available resources of the State government as reasonably necessary to cope with the disaster and of each political subdivision of the State.
(3) To transfer the direction, personnel or functions of State departments and agencies or units thereof for the purpose of performing or facilitating disaster response and recovery programs.
(8) To control ingress and egress to and from a disaster area, the movement of persons within the area, and the occupancy of premises therein.
The “movement of persons” and “occupancy of premises” are the most important here, I think. The entire state has been declared a disaster area.
* Disaster’s definition…
“Disaster” means an occurrence or threat of widespread or severe damage, injury or loss of life or property resulting from any natural or technological cause, including but not limited to fire, flood, earthquake, wind, storm, hazardous materials spill or other water contamination requiring emergency action to avert danger or damage, epidemic, air contamination, blight, extended periods of severe and inclement weather, drought, infestation, critical shortages of essential fuels and energy, explosion, riot, hostile military or paramilitary action, public health emergencies, or acts of domestic terrorism.
…Adding… Read to the bottom of the EO and you’ll see he also suspended the section of the Open Meetings Act that requires local members of a public body to be physically present for votes.
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* Press release…
Dear Editors and Reporters:
With Ohio announcing today that it is postponing its primary, which had been scheduled for tomorrow, I wanted to let you know that Illinois is proceeding with plans for tomorrow’s primary as scheduled.
As of today we have had 504,000 early votes cast and 294,000 mail ballots sent to voters. The day before the 2016 primary, those numbers were 400,000 and 160,000 respectively. With early voting continuing today, we likely will see a substantial increase when early voting sites close. We along with the state’s 108 local election authorities had been encouraging early voting for several weeks and in the past two weeks had increased our efforts so voters could vote early and avoid lines and crowds on election day out of concern for coronavirus.
Those efforts appear to have been successful as we will undoubtedly set new records for early and mail voting for a primary election.
We have worked with the Illinois Department of Public Health to make sure local election authorities have proper guidance for coronavirus safety in their polling places. We have provided polling place signage (attached) to local election authorities to alert voters and poll workers to best practices for preventing the spread of coronavirus. Local election authorities have, when necessary, consulted their local emergency managers for help in obtaining sanitizing supplies for their polling places.
Illinois has seen hundreds of polling place location changes in the past week and we have made every effort to keep our online polling place lookup database current so voters can find accurate information on where to vote. In many cases involving cancellations last week, election authorities were able to contact affected voters by mail to alert them to new polling places. In addition, many local election authorities are facing the additional challenge of election judges canceling. Local election authorities are going to great lengths to recruit replacements, including increasing judge pay in some cases. Please check with your local election authority for specific details.
As to the question of why Illinois is going forward with Tuesday’s election, there are several factors to be considered. As already noted, much of the voting for this election already has been done. Also, at this point there is no date in the foreseeable future when we can expect greater safety with any certainty. Taking action to move to an all-mail ballot system, as has been suggested by some media members, fails to take into account the needs of many disabled voters who are unable to cast paper ballots by mail.
To be clear, the State Board of Elections does not have the authority to change an election date. Doing so would require action by the General Assembly to amend the Illinois Election Code or a court order. We have no intention of seeking such an order nor has any other state official indicated that intent.
With Gov. Pritzker having ordered the closure of restaurants in Illinois as of tonight except for carryout service, we want to point out that in-person voting is a comparable transaction to picking up a takeout restaurant order or shopping at a grocery store. There is no need for close contact when requesting a ballot from an election judge and Illinois does not require voters to show ID; a voter’s signature compared to the signature on record is proof of identity. Primary voting typically is a swift transaction that can be done at a safe distance from other voters.
We understand that this election presents voters with the difficult task of weighing civic duty with the safety of themselves and others. We believe that by following guidance from our state and federal health professionals, voters can vote safely at early voting sites today and at polling places tomorrow.
Thank you for you attention to accurate reporting of this rapidly unfolding situation. Please follow our Twitter feed at @illinoissbe for continued updates.
I will make every effort to return calls and emails but at this point the volume is too great so you may receive future mass briefings like this one.
Matt Dietrich
Public Information Officer
Illinois State Board of Elections
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* Gov. Pritzker is having a press conference in Springfield today…
There is new guidance out just moments ago from the President of the United States, and we can talk more about that in the questions and answers, but as a result of the guidance that’s been given, I am mandating that any gatherings of the 50 people or more guidance by the CDC will be canceled
This post will be updated. And, again, remember that I’m using Otter for my transcription, so there will be some typos.
* IDPH Director Ngozi Ezike…
We have two new counties that have developed cases, Peoria and Will counties. So the numbers of cases are increasing each day as is the number of locations. People should assume that this novel coronavirus is in their community and take steps to protect themselves and reduce the spread. There is evidence that the transmission of the virus often occurs when symptoms first develop. So it’s important to limit close contact with people as much as possible, even if you don’t feel that sick. […]
It is important that we reduce the amount of virus circulating in the community. This happens by reducing the number of people who come in contact with the virus. Bottom line is, stay home as much as possible.
* Missed this from Gov. Pritzker earlier…
And I want to express my sincerest gratitude to the many unsung heroes who keep this operation moving 24/7. The vast majority of whom the public will never know, Springfield is also home to one of our three state run COVID-19 testing labs, which are also located in Chicago and Carbondale, these facilities and their personnel, deliver deliver us from sorry Deliver us some of the fastest results of any state. When it comes to COVID-19 testing and support our Sentinel surveillance operation to monitor for the virus, all across, Illinois. 15 hospitals statewide are running the program with more to come, three hospitals here in Central Illinois seven hospitals in Cook County, three hospitals in other areas of Northern Illinois, and two hospitals in Southern Illinois. All performing this Sentinel surveillance together. Our state lab and hospital partners are ramping up testing to the levels necessary for us to better understand the presence and patterns of the spread of the virus in Illinois.
But to get a full picture of that we need the federal government to lead. Follow or get out of the way. From the beginning, I’ve been pressing the White House for a rapid increase in test deployment nationwide. There are COVID-19 tests available right now that have been approved for use in Europe, and use in Asia, that are not available in the United States so I’m calling on the FDA to review and approve these tests as soon as possible. precious time has been lost because the White House made some bad decisions early on, which led to the current low levels of testing across the United States. But at the state level, we’ve had to scramble to create more testing capability on our own, our hospitals and our research centers in Illinois which are some of the finest in the world were finally given permission by the federal government to develop our own tests, which has expanded testing availability, but still more must be done by the federal government to the people of Illinois, and to all the people across Central Illinois and Springfield.
* The governor was asked what he would do with business owners who defy the restaurant/bar closing order…
Obviously you can’t police everything all the time and so we obviously want communities to understand what the limitations are and understand what the orders are that have been given, and to follow them. And so we’re gonna, you know, we’re going to do our best to help the communities, managing themselves. And I think you’ve seen on social media and elsewhere, the public, the vast majority of the public understands what needs to be done here. There are a few people who want to resist and want to talk about resistance against it, but I think at this point, you know, the public is kind of reining in those outliers. […]
I would say to them that, weeks from now, months from now, when one of those party goers, one of those people that they defied the order to have into their establishment that becomes sick, perhaps dire. Somebody perhaps might die and they should know that they are responsible for that.
He also said the 50 person limit could be lowered to 10.
* The governor was asked about the 50-person limit and how that would apply to election day tomorrow…
Look, we have to have our elections continue in my opinion, this is the right thing to do our democracy needs to go on, we need to elect leaders. If we cancel these elections you know when we have an election, would be a question I might ask, but the most important thing is that we’re taking every precaution. Every time somebody goes and votes on a voting machine that people are touching, it’s being wiped down. We have guidance to all the election judges to make sure to to maintain social separation distance.
We’re making sure that we have sanitizer at the locations that people are voting at, and then just remember we have a terrific early voting mechanism across the state. Not only can people go in over the last 44 days and today to early vote, but also we have vote by mail, and we’ve had record vote by mail in many areas of the state so I feel good about the decision to have the election on tomorrow with another question. […]
As you know, the process of voting is a very short, relatively short process … You’re with a machine really you’re facing people to check in, and they’re going to give social, you know, social distance to people. But the total time in a location and engaging with a group of people, isn’t very much and doesn’t doesn’t really happen. So, we think it’s, we do believe it’s safe. We’ve certainly consulted experts and we think that the election will be just fine.
* The governor was asked about IRMA’s plea to make sure grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations, etc. be allowed to remain open…
You’re asking questions that I can’t fully answer today because the scientists and medical doctors don’t have answers to those things either.
Obviously the fundamental functions that people need like being able to put gas in your car and all that. I cannot anticipate, I do not anticipate that we’ll be doing anything that will prevent people from getting in their own car if they absolutely need to and suggest to people. They should stay home, but they may need to go to the grocer, they need they need to go somewhere else to a doctor, perhaps, so we’re not going to prevent any of that. But I will say that I don’t know what the next day will bring. I mean, as you’ve seen we’ve had to evolve as the science has evolved. I would add one more thing just for to keep in mind here, because these decisions are not easy. I mean, no one wants to close the schools, no one wants to ask businesses to close them it’s a terrible thing. It’s not what I would do.
* Mass transit…
If you have not been in Chicago today or yesterday, mass transit is, you know, there are many many fewer people in mass transit many many fewer people on the roads. And I think you’re seeing that in Central Illinois as well. So I think we don’t have any answers about what may happen with mass transit.
* In conclusion…
Last thing for the people who think that they’re the least vulnerable and most invulnerable young people who feel just fine and they think they’re just fine because they haven’t heard much about coronavirus affecting people in their age group. They are carriers potentially.
For those out there who think that you’re immune. You’re not.
For counties out there that have said, ‘Well, nobody in my county’s gotten it. I live in an area where people just don’t get these things. This seems like something that only happens in Chicago.’ You’re wrong.
All over the world in rural areas, people are getting coronavirus. It is coming, unfortunately, to everywhere in the state of Illinois, no matter where you live, it will come. And so you need to be prepared. You need to listen to what we’re saying. And we will. As a result of the positive actions that we’re taking in the individuals across the state are taking, we will bend this curve and we will save lives.
Presser ended.
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* People really need to knock this off for crying out loud. Let her be…
Statement from Lisa Badger, Springfield Park Board trustee, on her coronavirus diagnosis – March 16, 2020:
Since learning over the weekend I am one of the first confirmed cases of coronavirus in Sangamon County, my life has been turned upside down. I join everyone who is feeling fearful and uncertain about what is happening and what is to come.
But I would please ask for time alone at home to recover with my family, as our local, state and federal officials work to stop the spread of this disease that has brought everything to a halt.
I had NO symptoms when I was in contact with the public from March 5th on. When I developed a slight fever and other symptoms that initially were unconcerning last week, I stayed home from work and contacted my healthcare team. I have not been out of the country, had any known contact with anyone who had traveled abroad, nor have I had direct contact with anyone who has yet tested positive for coronavirus. I assume I contracted this virus through community spread. Please understand, I used to work as a nurse, and I am very proactive about my health and underlying conditions.
I am in direct and constant contact with my doctors and recovering, although it is a slow process and I am concerned about getting worse instead of better.
I am a public official and proud of being open and accessible to my constituents and anyone who needs help. In addition to being a Springfield Park Board trustee, I work in a very visible position as a community affairs specialist in the State Treasurer’s office, and I am a union steward for Teamsters Local 916, a Democratic precinct committeeperson and am involved in many other ways in Springfield. I take pride in being easy to reach.
My family and I have been bombarded with negativity since my case went public: hundreds of texts, voicemails, Facebook messages and more. People are threatening to sue me. They’ve been terrible to my daughter.
I understand everyone is scared. I’m scared, too. But I’ve done nothing wrong. I have taken every precaution possible, and I caught this from someone else. Now I need time to rest and recover without the overwhelming stress of so many personal attacks and accusations.
Please, stop reaching out to me and my family. Call the Sangamon County Public Health Department and urge them to do more to help find out how I contracted the virus, and to do everything they can to test people with symptoms and ensure immediate treatment. If you’re concerned about exposure at the youth career fair I attended on behalf of the Treasurer, please contact the Treasurer’s office.
I love this community, and I only wish to be well again, and for all of us to be well. I will provide further updates as warranted. Thank you to everyone for respecting our privacy and for banding together during this difficult time to stop this pandemic as soon as possible.
* SJ-R…
Badger also expressed concern over how the Sangamon County Department of Public Health handled her case. She said the department has not followed up with her or her contacts appropriately and they have not collected data for the 14 days prior to her first known possible symptom on March 4.
“I attempted to offer that information and it was not being received,” she said.
Regarding that, Gail O’Neil, director of the Sangamon County Department of Public Health, said the department has been following the guidelines set by the state department of public health, choosing to focus on contacting people who may have been around her when she was most infectious.
“We’re really not concerned about where she got it at this point,” O’Neill said. “We’re concerned about where she may spread it and when she was most infectious … So, yeah, there wasn’t a long time backwards that we were responsible for following up on.”
Wait. The public health department isn’t concerned about where she got it?
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12 new cases, now 105 cases in 15 counties
Monday, Mar 16, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Press release…
The Illinois Department of Public Health today announced 12 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) across Illinois. Two additional counties are now reporting cases, Peoria and Will counties. Other locations with cases include Chicago and Champaign, Clinton, Cook, Cumberland, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, Sangamon, St. Clair, Whiteside, Winnebago, and Woodford counties.
“We know there is a lot of concern as the number of cases and locations increase,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “However, not everyone who has respiratory symptoms like cough and shortness of breath needs to be tested. Similarly, not everyone who is infected with novel coronavirus needs medical treatment. We want to make sure those at higher risk of severe illness are prioritized for testing and that they can receive the medical care they need. We ask those who have mild symptoms to stay home so the health care system is not overwhelmed.”
Information so far suggests that most COVID-19 illness is mild. However, older people and people of all ages with severe chronic medical conditions, like heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes, seem to be at higher risk of developing serious illness. It is crucial that we limit contact with older people and those with certain health conditions.
Currently, IDPH is reporting 105 cases in 15 counties in Illinois. Cases have occurred in all age ranges and the number of cases that do not have a clear connection to travel or a known COVID-19 case is increasing.
…Adding… Our daily graph…
* Meanwhile, from the NY Times…
President Trump told a group of governors Monday morning that they should not wait for the federal government to fill the growing demand for respirators needed to help people diagnosed with coronavirus.
“Respirators, ventilators, all of the equipment — try getting it yourselves,” Mr. Trump told the governors during the conference call, a recording of which was shared with The New York Times.
“We will be backing you, but try getting it yourselves. Point of sales, much better, much more direct if you can get it yourself.”
The suggestion surprised some of the governors, who have been scrambling to contain the outbreak and are increasingly looking to the federal government for help with equipment, personnel and financial aid.
* Also…
The U.S. surgeon general, meanwhile, said the number of coronavirus cases in the United States has reached the level that disease-battered Italy recorded two weeks ago — a signal that infections are expected to rise in America.
“We are at a critical inflection point in this country, people,” U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Jerome Adams told Fox News. “When you look at the projections, there’s every chance that we could be Italy.”
Two weeks ago, there were 1,700 cases of coronavirus in Italy and the country had reported 34 deaths. Now, Italy is reporting an estimated 25,000 cases and more than 1,800 people have died.
The U.S. has recorded about 3,800 infections and at least 65 deaths, two-thirds of them in hard-hit Washington state.
* Related…
* Chicago area hospitals postponing some elective surgeries amid COVID-19
* United Airlines cuts more flights as analysts warn impact of coronavirus on air travel could rival 9/11
* Coronavirus and sports: MLB pushes back opening day again and next month’s NFL draft will happen, but without public events
* Stocks fall worldwide as coronavirus throttles economies
* Running list of Chicago-area closings and cancellations because of coronavirus
* DuPage County issues disaster proclamation in wake of coronavirus pandemic
* Regulators shut down video gambling machines across Illinois due to COVID-19
* Illinois suspends visitations at state prisons to slow the spread of coronavirus
* Indiana governor orders all restaurants, bars closed for two weeks amid coronavirus pandemic
* Govs in NY, NJ, Conn. close bars
* Springfield coronavirus update: Memorial opens drive-through screening clinic
* How coronavirus is complicating 2020 census push
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* Press release…
State Senator Brian Stewart, R-Freeport, and State Representative John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, issued the following joint statement today in response to Governor JB Pritzker’s announcement over the weekend on actions the state is taking regarding the Coronavirus pandemic:
“On Sunday Governor JB Pritzker ordered bars and restaurants closed in the state of Illinois commencing Monday, March 16th through Monday, March 30th as a latest response to the Coronavirus. To bureaucrats and billionaires two weeks without a paycheck is nothing. In fact, the bureaucrats’ paychecks are guaranteed by the taxpayers of Illinois, unlike the cooks, the servers, the dishwashers, and the owners of those bars and restaurants.
The Governor will defend his decision by claiming an “abundance of caution” and citing his “emergency authority”. Under those conditions what is next? Are we going to close the grocery stores, the pharmacies, the marijuana stores, factories, and other businesses? It is noted that the Governor did not postpone the election while other states did so.
In the days after 9-11 and the attack on the twin towers in New York and the Pentagon in Washington DC there was a lot of uncertainty and a monumental crisis across the nation. Our leaders at that time worked to assure the nation that there would be a concerted effort to return to normalcy. Here in Illinois our leaders are seemingly paralyzed with fear and fueling uncertainty.
Real leadership demands a measured response to this crisis. It is pretty clear that those among us who have underlying illnesses and who are in an advanced stage of life are the most vulnerable to the Coronavirus. All efforts should be made to make sure that this demographic is monitored and that their chances of exposure are limited.
Our concern with the Governor’s response to the Cornavirus is that it is incoherent and reactionary and that the trajectory he is on could lead to some permanent damage to the Illinois economy and the confidence of the people of Illinois. We urge the Governor to proceed with the same caution that all of us have been advised to do when dealing with the Coronavirus. Governor Pritzker, please don’t kill the patient.”
* Jordan Abudayyeh in the governor’s office…
The science is clear: in order to protect the health and wellbeing of the people in our state we have to flatten the curve. It is reckless and irresponsible for leaders to contradict the guidance coming from our public health officials. Real leadership requires making tough decisions while working day and night to ensure the people impacted by those decisions have the resources they need and that’s exactly what Gov. Pritzker has been doing. The administration has held briefings and calls for lawmakers to learn about the unique challenges we’re facing and we encourage the skeptics to join those to learn more about the crisis we’re facing. Now is not the time for politics because the only way we’re going to get through this is by working together to ensure every single one of us is doing our part for the greater good.
* Meanwhile…
Ohio’s Republican Gov. Mike DeWine announced that the state would not go forward with in-person voting on Tuesday.
The move follows days of pressure for the four states scheduled to vote on Tuesday — Arizona, Florida, Illinois, and Ohio — to postpone their primaries. In an open letter, more than 1,600 people, including 100 medical professionals, called for the next round of presidential primaries to be postponed amid the coronavirus pandemic. All of the four states scheduled to vote on Tuesday have declared a state of emergency in response to the outbreak. The decision to hold both the Democratic and Republican primary elections — which have closed down schools, restaurants, and bars to try to slow the spread of the coronavirus — could exponentially grow the amount of cases and death toll. In Arizona, the state Republican Party decided months ago not to hold a presidential primary.
The letter, which is addressed to the Democratic National Committee and the secretaries of state for the four states, calls for those states to push their primaries to May. Until then, it reads, “mail-in voting should be implemented throughout under the guidance of health and election authorities.” Postponing the elections would also give states enough time to explore alternatives to in-person voting at a sufficient scale, the letter notes, particularly if the emergency continues to worsen.
The letter is here.
*** UPDATE 1 *** That Ohio thing is not a done deal…
DeWine announced the change at a Monday afternoon news conference. He said his office does not have the power to unilaterally change the voting date, but the governor outlined a process involving the courts that can allow for this change.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Stay tuned to the live coverage post for updates…
*** UPDATE 3 *** Assuming a quick appeal, but not certain…
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Welcome, Lily!
Monday, Mar 16, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* From the governor’s office…
Rich,
Remember that time Emily Bittner had a baby and then a pandemic started? Well here’s the good news for you to post!
The Governor’s comms director Emily Bittner and husband Clay Diette of the Chicago Laborers’ District Council are excited to (virtually) introduce the world to Wilhelmina Jean Diette, aka Lily, named after beloved relatives. She came into the world at 7 lbs, 4 oz and she and mom are doing great.
She’s rigorously observing all social distancing recommendations for as long as needed, but she’s very excited to meet everyone in person when the world returns to normal. In the meantime, she appreciates all the well wishes and encourages everyone to do what the governor says.
* Here she is…
Such a cutie.
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Open thread
Monday, Mar 16, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I have three hugely important errands I need to run today that I couldn’t get to over the weekend.
Please keep your discussion Illinois-centric and be nice to each other. Also, we have a ton of COVID-19 posts, so try to stay away from that topic here. Thanks. Be well.
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* This email was sent to 17 state legislators…
I am writing to you to ask for your help in bringing the 51 Illinois Citizens that were passengers of the Princes Cruise back to their homes in Illinois. As I’m sure that you are aware some of these passengers are being held at a facility in Georgia. They arrived there on Friday and until today they had absolutely no medical help and very little food or water. Today was a WIN for them as they were able to get additional supplies such as food, sheets and blankets. One Illinois citizen wrote on her Facebook page that they received breakfast yesterday, which they were thankful for, however, it was cold and they did not have any silverware to eat with! These people did nothing wrong and yet we treat them like this? Other states have sent transportation to get their citizens. Why is Illinois not doing the same? These citizens deserve to be home in Illinois. Would you please explain to me why it is so hard to transport 51 Illinois citizens back for Illinois where they belong? I would appreciate your view concerning this matter.
* Background from KWQC…
Donna and Bruce Hardy of Milan were on a cruise to Hawaii with passengers who tested positive for the COVID-19 virus.
After spending eight days in isolation in their room on the cruise ship, they are now being quarantined in Georgia. Donna says her room at the quarantine facility is terrible, and she’s been suffering from headaches due to mold in the bathroom.
“Our room is terrible,” Donna said. “You know our eyes water when we go in to use the toilet. We’ve not showered since we got here. We’re not gonna shower in our unit so we’re sponge bathing in the kitchen sink. Even if we could shower, we don’t have clothes. We just want a clean safe place to serve our quarantine. That’s all we ask. I’m usually very strong but I’ve lost it the last couple days. Anxiety attacks. We just want to be treated with dignity and we don’t have it.”
The couple will be in quarantine until March 26th.
They’re hoping that the state of Illinois will allow them to come home sooner, or at the very least, to be given a new room for the remainder of their quarantine.
According to the governor’ office, 51 Illinoisans are under quarantine at that Georgia military base. The governor’s office has been in contact with 36 of them. The others haven’t yet consented to releasing their names and contact information. The governor’s office has a point person handling this issue and the office has also been reaching out to legislators with constituents in quarantine.
The governor’s office says more people are being diagnosed with COVID-19 since they got off the ship and there’s no safe way to transport these folks back to Illinois without infecting more people.
* Pritzker press secretary Jordan Abudayyeh…
Following the guidance of medical professionals, the Governor’s Office has made the difficult decision to keep cruise ship passengers in isolation for 14 days until they are cleared to safely travel back home to Illinois. Understanding the hardship this poses, staff from the Governor’s Office have been in direct contact with the passengers to ensure their needs are being met. The Governor himself has also talked with the federal government to make requests for the passengers. There are no easy decisions, but our administration is working to prioritize the health and safety of everyone who calls Illinois home.
The quarantine lasts 14 days from the time they were moved off the ship. Releases will start around the 23rd or 24th, depending.
* Oklahoma’s governor pushed to bring his quarantined people back to their home state, but he is the same governor who did this…
Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, who faced swift backlash since tweeting a photo of himself and his children at a crowded restaurant Saturday, declared a state of emergency on Sunday as the state announced its eighth case of coronavirus.
In the now-deleted tweet, Stitt said, “Eating with my kids and all my fellow Oklahomans at the @CollectiveOKC. It’s packed tonight!”
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* This just went out to House Democrats…
March 16, 2020
to: House Democratic Caucus Members
cc: Office of the Speaker Employees
from: Jessica Basham, Chief of Staff
re: Updates re: Session Schedule, COVID-19 Guidance
SESSION SCHEDULE
Members are advised to be prepared to return to Springfield for session at any time. Currently, the session schedule is being reviewed daily and should be considered “in flux.” Any call for session will not be made lightly – the greatest priority is the consideration of the health and safety of all our communities. A call to return to Springfield amidst this public health emergency would only occur if necessary. With that in mind, members should consider modes of transportation that present the least possibility of contact with others, as well as other measures to reduce possible exposure while in Springfield.
Our staff is communicating with the Governor’s Office and the other caucuses as we work to identify any needed legislation to address this situation, as well as anything that requires immediate action from a timing perspective. Further updates will follow as information becomes available.
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* Friday night at 6:30…
Lester Bovia will serve as Interim Inspector General of the Department of Children and Family Services. Bovia currently serves as Deputy General Counsel and Ethics Officer at the Illinois Human Rights Commission, where he was instrumental in the General Counsel’s office’s initiative to eliminate the Commission’s 2,500-case backlog. He has served the Commission for over 10 years, also serving as Acting General Counsel from October 2018 to January 2019 and as an administrative law judge since his start in September 2009. During his 22 years of legal experience, Bovia has practiced as a litigation associate at Winston and Strawn, as a conflicts attorney at Perkins Coie and as in-house counsel for a small restaurant chain. He also currently teaches as an adjunct law professor at DePaul University College of Law. Bovia earned his Bachelor of Science from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and Juris Doctor from the University of Illinois College of Law.
* Rumors have circled for a while now about how the governor was hoping to replace DCFS IG Meryl Paniak. I asked the governor’s office what was going on…
Meryl Paniak asked the Governor to withdraw her appointment as Inspector General at DCFS to pursue other opportunities. The Governor will appoint Lester Bovia as interim Inspector General at DCFS. He is an experienced attorney who recently served as Deputy General Counsel at the Illinois Human Rights Commission where he worked to eliminate the backlog at the agency. The administration will conduct a thorough search to name a permanent appointment.
* Hannah Meisel at the Daily Line…
Those in child welfare circles had for months heard the Pritzker administration had been looking for a replacement for Paniak, whose window of time to get Senate confirmation was running out in March. State Sen. Tony Munoz (D-Chicago), who chairs the Senate’s appointment committee, filed Paniak’s appointment message on March 5, 2019. But appointments only last for 60 legislative days, and Paniak’s was about to expire, despite efforts within the Senate to confirm Paniak before time ran out.
When asked by The Daily Line in January whether he was directing people in his administration to look for someone to replace Paniak, Pritzker said no.
“I’m not interviewing anybody for that position so I’m not sure why you’re asking that question,” Pritzker said. “I’m not interviewing anybody to replace that position.” […]
ACLU Illinois Director of Institutional Reform Heidi Dalenberg, who is in charge of a decades-old consent decree governing the treatment of Illinois foster children and DCFS as a whole, said in a statement Sunday that children in DCFS care “need a strong, experienced and fearless Inspector General.”
“While we do not know the details behind Ms. Paniak’s departure, her most recent report was well-researched and a helpful guide for those committed to reforming the Department,” Dalenberg said. “The next Inspector General for DCFS must be willing to be a straightforward and speak truth to power inside DCFS. The lives of children are at stake.”
* Meanwhile…
Recognizing the unprecedented challenges families, medical providers, and state agencies are facing from COVID-19, the launch of YouthCare services for DCFS youth in care will be postponed a minimum of 30 days, the Illinois Department of Healthcare and Family Services announced today.
Letters are being sent to all families and group homes informing them of this delay. In close coordination with the Illinois Department of Public Health and stakeholders across the state, HFS and DCFS will assess the timeline as we move forward and announce a new transition date as soon as possible.
“With more medical providers than ever, teams of dedicated care coordinators and other vital services never offered before, we look forward to offering this enhanced care to vulnerable youth as soon as possible,” said Theresa Eagleson, Director of the Department of Healthcare and Family Services. “But the challenges facing our healthcare system and families at this time as a result of the coronavirus must be our top focus, and we are determined not to distract from those crucial priorities.”
“The safety and health of the children we serve is, and always will be, my top priority,” said Marc Smith, Director of the Department of Children and Family Services. “The transition to Managed Care will improve the coordination and access to health services for youth in care. But addressing the unprecedented crisis of COVID-19 outbreak must be a priority at the moment. Delaying the rollout will allow DCFS to remain focused on addressing the emerging challenges of COVID-19 and ensure a smooth transition to YouthCare in the months ahead.”
HFS and DCFS have been working closely with the ACLU and other crucial stakeholders to bolster several aspects of the program’s operations. YouthCare already offers more than three times as many medical providers as the current DCFS healthcare system. More than 90 percent of major providers in the current system have already joined YouthCare. The program also offers more providers across every major category than the current system, from hospitals and primary care physicians, to vision and dental.
…Adding… From Heidi Dalenberg, Director of Institutional Reform, ACLU of Illinois…
Governor Pritzker and his administration today showed true leadership and the right priorities in announcing a delay in the roll-out of a managed care system to direct health care for children under the care of DCFS. In light of the coronavirus crisis, it is the right decision. When this crisis passes, we stand ready to work with the Department and others in the State government to ready DCFS for this transition in a way that protects the children in our care.
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* Sun-Times on March 3rd…
If Illinois Democrats are looking for help in deciding among the dwindling field of presidential candidates, they shouldn’t look to Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
With just two weeks before the Illinois primary, the governor said Tuesday that he has no plans to join other Democrats across the country making endorsements.
“I’m for the Democrat,” Pritzker said. “I don’t know who is going to win in Illinois. I don’t know who is going to win the nomination. But I know one thing — Donald Trump has got to go.”
* Today…
Governor JB Pritzker is proud to announce his endorsement of Vice President Joe Biden for President. After witnessing the decisive winnowing of the field of Democratic candidates, Gov. JB Pritzker believes it’s time to unite and focus on ending Donald Trump’s presidency.
“As our nation faces some of the biggest challenges of our time, I know Vice President Joe Biden is the right candidate to beat Donald Trump and lead us into a new era,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “It’s time to unite as Democrats to restore respect to our nation’s highest office. Joe will stand on the side of working families and serve as a partner to us in Illinois as we work to create good paying jobs, expand healthcare and invest in education. After four years of Donald Trump’s failure to lead with honor, tell the truth, or stand up for the middle class, we need a steady hand and a President who is ready to move our nation past the divisiveness and vitriol that have become the norm in 2020. I trust Joe to lead with his head and heart, to do what’s right, and to get things done for the American people.”
* Tina Sfondeles had the scoop…
But by Sunday, Pritzker’s political team said the governor was making the endorsement, in part, to remind voters elections are still important, even as the nation and state grapple with the coronavirus outbreak. Despite some concerns over voter turnout, Pritzker on Sunday said the election would not be delayed.
“Democracy must continue,” Pritzker said at a Chicago news conference Sunday. “We have to elect leaders, even in less than ideal circumstances.” […]
Biden now has the backing of Mayor Lori Lightfoot and three African American members of Congress from Illinois — Rush and Reps. Danny Davis and Robin Kelly, whose districts have the highest concentration of black voters in the state.
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Just a reminder…
Monday, Mar 16, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* I’ve been putting most closure notices and related items on the live coverage post. They’re coming in way too fast and I need to focus on other stuff.
Thanks for your understanding. How are you holding up?
…Adding… State parks have been closed and video gaming has been suspended. Yeah, I know what I said in the first sentence, but those are kinda big.
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BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!
Monday, Mar 16, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* AP…
States across the U.S. are allocating hundreds of millions of dollars to respond to the coronavirus, even as the U.S. government prepares to send billions more their way.
Many states have built up sizable stockpiles in their “rainy day” funds during several robust years of tax collections. Some governors and state lawmakers now are tapping into those savings for emergency expenses. Others are looking to set aside even more in reserve, fearing the economic uncertainties stemming from the coronavirus could send tax revenues into a tailspin.
* Scroll down…
“It definitely has the potential to have a significant impact on state budgets — both on the spending and revenue side,” said Brian Sigritz, director of state fiscal studies at the National Association of State Budget Officers.
“One positive, if you want to use that word, is that this is coming after a period where states have seen strong revenue growth for the past couple of years … and have been able to increase the size of their rainy day funds and reserves,” Sigritz added.
I CANNOT STOP LAUGHING!
Illinois’ rainy day fund is like a dollar forty-seven.
Man… It’s… It’s gonna be bad… So bad… So, so bad.
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The session is looking thin
Monday, Mar 16, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* My weekly syndicated newspaper column…
The Senate Democrats caucused by phone last week. Among other things, members heard updates about what is happening in response to the novel coronavirus pandemic.
Senate President Don Harmon told members that he, the other legislative leaders and the governor are working on a list of must-pass bills.
One of the bills that is causing some worry is a change to the hospital assessment law, which is about to expire at the end of the fiscal year. Failure to pass a new law could result in a $3.5 billion hit to the state budget, so it’s pretty darned important.
But the legislation needs to be passed well before the end of the fiscal year because the federal government requires 90 days to study and approve the proposal.
House Majority Leader Greg Harris (D-Chicago) confirmed to me that the Illinois Department of Health and Family Services, which handles Medicaid, must submit its proposal to the federal Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) “by April 1.”
Others have said the General Assembly has until April 2 to get this done, but the real issue is it looks right now that legislators will have to return to Springfield during an international pandemic when everything from sports teams to schools to churches are shutting down and the general public is panic-buying food and supplies and panic-selling stocks. It’s like a bad zombie apocalypse movie
Nobody said the job would be easy, I suppose, but I doubt if anyone saw this coming.
In the meantime, the complicated, highly technical negotiations over the program’s rewrite continue with twice-weekly meetings. The Illinois Hospital Association’s board meets on March 27th and those involved in the talks hope to have the powerful group’s tentative approval by then. That doesn’t leave much of a window of opportunity before April 1 or 2, but such is life.
The governor’s office was quick to tamp down fears that the state’s budget might take a $3.5 billion hit while other state revenues are very likely to tumble along with the markets and the economy. “We’re working to prioritize what needs to be done and how quickly we can do it,” said the governor’s press secretary Jordan Abudayyeh, adding that the government would do everything it possibly could to obtain federal approval of the state’s proposal.
Those efforts could include asking the federal government for additional time, with the hope that the escalating COVID-19 crisis will put the feds in a more forgiving mood.
Then again, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has lately taken to lobbing sharp criticisms at the Trump administration’s response to the outbreak and at President Donald Trump himself. Trump recently called Washington Gov. Jay Inslee a “snake” after Inslee criticized the administration’s handling of the situation on the ground in his hard-hit state.
You get a good look at someone’s character in times like these, so we’ll see how well everyone cooperates at the state and local levels when it comes to those “must-pass” bills and if anyone tries to play any games.
They need to pass a budget, perhaps a lump-sum or six-month (or both) budget to allow the state government to operate in these uncharted waters. Beyond that, there’s some cleanup work to do on some of the myriad laws the legislature passed in an end-of-session rush last May. They also may want to look at some legislation designed to help people, business and local governments get through this emergency. A Chicago casino might fit into that latter category since the city’s precariously ill-funded pension funds are undoubtedly taking a shellacking these days and the casino was designed to help two of the funds. Not to mention the state revenues that could be lost. The state backstops McPier’s bonds, and McCormick Place has lost over a half a dozen conventions in the past several days with more cancellations guaranteed, so that probably needs to be looked at. I could go on, but you get the idea.
Decades of misfeasance and malfeasance have left the state with zero cushion to handle the coming blows. The same goes for the city and for far too many other municipal entities throughout the Prairie State.
”Together, we’ll find a way to the other side,” the governor pledged during a recent news conference. Let’s hope so, because that path is looking extremely perilous right now. At bare minimum, everyone at the top needs to pull together and stay together.
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