* 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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* Bloomington Pantagraph…
On Tuesday morning, if you want to find the owner of Snapper’s Bar and Grill, Joe Sartie, drop in on him in downtown Clinton. His door will be open.
Sartie is one of a handful of owners struggling with Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s order to close bars and restaurants for indoor seating in an effort to minimize the spread of COVID-19 in the state.
“This is my Alamo,” he said.
Clinton is in DeWitt County, where the public health director told a local radio station late last week “Live your life like you normally would.”
*** UPDATE *** Administrative Code…
Section 690.1415 Penalties
a) Any person who knowingly or maliciously disseminates any false information or report concerning the existence of any dangerously contagious or infectious disease in connection with the Department or certified local health department’s power of quarantine, isolation and closure or refuses to comply with a quarantine, isolation or closure order is guilty of a Class A misdemeanor. (Section 2(k) of the Act)
b) A public health order issued by a certified local health department under this Subpart is equivalent to, shall be enforced as, and carries the same penalty as an order issued by the Department directly.
(Source: Added at 32 Ill. Reg. 3777, effective March 3, 2008)
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* There was a report that someone at the March 8th Women’s March in Springfield was diagnosed positive. Londrigan spoke at that march…
*** UPDATE 1 *** SJ-R…
Lisa Badger, a Springfield Park Board trustee, confirmed Sunday that she is one of the two people currently diagnosed with COVID-19 in Sangamon County. […]
“I am in isolation at home, and have primarily been, since Wednesday evening when my symptoms became concerning,” Badger said. […]
“As I have not been out of the country, or had any known contact with someone who has been out of the country, or had direct contact with someone who has tested positive, it can only be assumed that I received the COVID-19 virus through community spread,” Badger said. “That could have been in any number of ways, as I had been in the public: grocery stores, restaurants, employment, community gatherings, etc.”
One of the public events Badger attended was the Springfield Women’s March on March 8, where she spent time in close contact with two Springfield city council members: Ward 6 Ald. Kristin DiCenso and Ward 8 Ald. Erin Conley.
And Betsy Dirksen Londrigan, a Democratic candidate for the 13th Congressional district who attended the march, announced she was going into self-quarantine until March 22.
Badger works for the state treasurer. I reached out earlier today for information on the treasurer’s response, but haven’t yet heard back.
*** UPDATE 2 *** This is the internal email sent to state treasurer office (STO) workers this afternoon…
STO Team –
On behalf of Treasurer Frerichs, we continue to actively monitor updates from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) concerning COVID-19 in Illinois. Treasurer’s Office (STO) policies are being monitored and periodically updated in response to recommendations from the public health experts. Please be assured that we are working with building management to ensure that all appropriate universal precautions and cleaning efforts are made in all working areas and public places.
The Treasurer’s Office has been notified by IDPH officials that an STO employee on the 4th Floor of the Monroe Building in Springfield has tested positive for COVID-19. The employee reported not having been present in the office since March 6th. State and federal laws prohibit the Treasurer’s Office from identifying anyone who has tested for, or contracted, COVID-19 and we intend to comply with these laws when and as applicable.
Effective immediately, the Treasurer’s Office has made the business decision to close our business offices beginning on Monday, March 16, 2020 and continuing through March 31, 2020 based on information presently available to us. During this temporary period, the following precautions will be taken to help protect the health and safety of our employees while also taking necessary steps to help ensure the continuity of our business operations and service to the public:
No employees will be permitted to report to work or perform services in our business offices. The only exception is for designated individuals who are identified as performing essential functions and for limited purposes. If you attempt to report to work, you will be asked to leave.
Should you need to have access to any information or personal items that may be stored in your work office, you should contact Human Resources at the contact numbers listed below to see if arrangements can be made to accommodate your needs.
Employees who have the ability and resources to perform your work activities from a remote location are requested to do so during the time you would normally be scheduled to be present in the office. If you have any questions about remote working, please speak with your direct supervisor.
During the hours you would normally be scheduled to be working, you are asked to remain at home (or at a safe remote location that allows for appropriate social distancing).
You will receive your normal compensation as if you were actively working and in return we are counting on you to be available to respond to emails, text messages, telephone calls or other forms of communication when requested by management during your normally scheduled working time.
All employees are required to keep accurate records of the time (through the ADP timekeeping system) that they perform work while at home and normally expected to be working. If an employee does not have access to the ADP timekeeping system, they should email their time to their supervisor on a daily basis or, if that is not possible, record their time on paper.
All STO employees are required to observe the advice from IDPH to engage in proper social distancing and refrain from non-essential travel.
Any employee on leave status or utilizing other paid time off benefits will continue to be eligible for those privileges during this temporary period. We also will continue to honor all reasonable accommodations for individuals who are disabled or otherwise in need of such assistance during this period.
Employees who are working remotely should check in with their supervisor at least once per workday to determine if there is a change of these terms or if any other precautions are necessary or recommended.
Depending on the nature of duties performed, some employees will receive additional instruction from their managers about work assignments and reporting obligations as a follow up to this communication.
All STO employees will continue to be paid while we get through this unprecedented situation at the rate that those employees would normally have been paid had the employee been working when scheduled (up to 37.5 hours per week for hourly/non-exempt staff).
Please remember that the Ethics Act requires that employees not engage in prohibited political activity while on compensated time or using State resources; as a reminder, compensated time includes sick time.
The State Treasurer’s Office carries out vital functions for State government. As long as the financial markets are open, receipts need to be processed, and state payments need to be made, the Treasurer’s Office needs to be open and functioning. Because of advance planning these functions should be able to be carried out almost entirely remotely.
…Adding… I asked how many people would be working from home…
We have four offices.
All employees will be working from home except for two.
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* From Gov. Pritzker…
ACTIONS TO PROTECT STATE WORKFORCE
Gov. Pritzker also announced that he has directed state agencies to implement plans for a temporary reduction of government functions and workforce while maintaining core functions and essential operations.
Select employees will continue to report to work; while the remaining workforce will either work remotely or be asked to remain home on call while receiving pay. All state employees will continue to be paid during this period.
Over the next several days, the Pritzker administration will finalize these plans and update state employees and the public. The Office of the Governor will remain fully operational throughout this period.
“Several days.” Hmm.
* Response…
Statement of AFSCME Council 31 Executive Director Roberta Lynch:
“State employees provide public services that are vitally important to the well-being of every Illinois resident. They protect kids, safeguard public health, help struggling families, keep prisons safe, care for veterans and people with disabilities and much more.
“Governor Pritzker is right to direct state employees wherever possible to work remotely during this outbreak. Preventing community transmission of the coronavirus is necessary to keep people healthy and prevent a surge of infections that overwhelms the health care system. The governor is modeling the behavior that every Illinois employer should follow.
“Our union’s top priority will remain protecting the safety of those state employees who continue to work on the front lines of public service in the days to come, in prisons, veterans homes, disability centers, critical human services and more. It’s vitally important that they have adequate personal protective equipment, sanitary working conditions and the other support and tools they need to do their jobs and stay healthy.
“We will do everything possible to ensure that core services are maintained while all possible measures are taken to halt the spread of this virus and protect the health of employees and those they serve.”
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* You may recall Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s statement yesterday…
“In light of guidance from public health officials to practice social distancing to stem the COVID-19 outbreak, political campaigns and organizations should take immediate steps to cease in-person get-out-the-vote efforts. At this moment, we must all do everything we can to stop the spread of this virus. While I am fully aware that this is not an ideal situation for campaigns as I understand the type of in-person and close contact campaigning that is traditionally done within the final days of an election, everyone must now take responsibility for keeping our communities safe. There are plenty of organizing tactics available that don’t involve in-person contact such as phone banking, texting out the vote and other virtual communications practices.
“Those who wish to lead us in government should model good and safe behavior by stopping these activities in order to slow the spread of this virus. This is a time to put safety over politics.”
* I reached out to all four legislative caucuses yesterday to see what they were doing. Here’s Magen Ryan with the Senate Democrats…
Days ago President Harmon asked campaigns to transition to electronic communication, phonebanking, and literature drops without voter interaction
Jayme Odom at the House Republican Organization…
We’ve asked campaigns to follow CDC and IDPH guidelines, cease door-to-door activities, and take their campaigns more fully into the digital space.
This is the email sent to Senate Republican candidates…
In keeping with recommendations from The Illinois Department of Public Health, and out of an abundance of caution, we are encouraging all Illinois Senate Republican candidates to suspend in-person campaigning for the foreseeable future. It is imperative we do all we can to help stop the spread of the COVID-19 virus. You can continue utilizing other methods of reaching voters that do not require face-to-face contact.
* I’ve been trying to get a response out of Team Madigan for more than 24 hours. Here’s what they finally told me this afternoon…
Over the weekend, we sent a note to staff and others with general health precautions regarding COVID-19 that follow the direction of the governor’s office. Included in that advice was to limit their interactions with the public, stay home if they exhibit symptoms and discouraging large gatherings like fundraisers and town halls. We also advised staff that those who do not feel comfortable directly engaging with voters and the general public should not, and we’ll work to ramp up our texting and phone banking operations.
In addition, the Democratic Party of Illinois is assisting local election authorities by initiating an outreach program to Democratic voters in precincts where polling places have been relocated.
I’ve checked around with several House Democrats and no one has received any guidance other than a memo from Madigan’s chief of staff on Friday which talked about “how to work remotely and keep time,” according to one HDem.
The man is the committeeperson of the 13th Ward, the chairman of the state party, the speaker of the Illinois House who has by far the largest campaign operation of anyone in this state, and that’s all he’s got?
…Adding… Sigh…
…Adding… I just received a text from a House Democrat who is working a polling place today telling me that he has received no guidance from his regional manager or campaign manager on this topic.
…Adding… One HDem member remembered receiving a memo from HQ a couple of days ago with election day guidance. This is the extent of the health advice…
COVID-19 ISSUES
It is important to remind volunteers and voters to practice healthy handwashing and social distancing when entering polling locations, particularly if the location is busy or located in a high-risk building. Please work with your local election authorities and election judges to ensure public health protections
are in place, such as signs directing voters to restrooms or handwashing stations, sanitizer, tissues, etc.
Compare that with “without voter interaction” (Harmon), “cease door-to-door activities” (Durkin) and “suspend in-person campaigning” (Brady).
…Adding… The House Democrats sent regional and in-district staff a memo yesterday. It included things like encouraging people to wash their hands for 20 seconds, avoid large gatherings, avoid using seniors and people with pre-existing conditions at polling places, keeping your distance at the doors and avoid shaking hands.
Again, that’s much less than the other three caucuses.
Meanwhile, this is the guidance issued to party chairs by the Illinois Democratic County Chairs Association…
• Switch all door to door canvassing to phone banking. If possible, highly encourage virtual phone banking where volunteers can make calls from home.
• Limit or close access to County Party Headquarters or campaign offices.
• If you are hosting phone banking at your County Party Headquarters, please ask individuals to use their personal cell phones to make calls. If individuals are unwilling to do so, please make sure you use disinfecting wipes on the phones volunteers use.
• Make sure individuals are practicing the CDC and WHO recommended good hygiene practice of handwashing (or hand sanitizer use), particularly when they enter your space. If you are unable to close your Headquarters; please have soap and hand sanitizer available for individuals coming into your space. Please post signs encouraging people to take advantage of these resources. CDC printouts available here: https://www.cdc.gov/handwashing/fact-sheets.html
• Limit or cancel any Get Out The Vote rallies & Primary Election Night Parties.
• Ask all Precinct Committeepersons to contact their Election Judges before Tuesday to ensure judges still plan on serving on March 17th.
• Ask all Precinct Committeepersons to check on their polling location at 6am on Tuesday morning to ensure the polling location is open on time.
• If a polling location has been changed due to concerns about Covid-19, coronavirus, please consider doing outreach to Democratic voters in the precincts effected to make sure they know the polling location has changed. Please include all relevant information including the address of the new polling location. This can be done via social media, phonebank, robo call, or email.
* Meanwhile, Gov. JB Pritzker was on Meet the Press today with Ohio’s Republican Gov. Mike Dewine…
CHUCK TODD: Both of you have primaries on Tuesday. You have indicated a couple of days ago, you guys will go forward. Any hesitance? Governor DeWine, you first.
GOV. MIKE DEWINE: We’re going to go ahead. But we’re telling people, again, to be careful. The good thing in Ohio is we have basically four weeks of voting. People can vote today. We’re urging them to go vote today.
CHUCK TODD: Gotcha.
GOV. MIKE DEWINE: They can vote Monday. They’ve got 13 hours on Tuesday. So that just naturally spreads it out. We’re asking them to be very, very careful.
CHUCK TODD: Governor Pritzker, any second thoughts about the primary on Tuesday?
GOV. J.B. PRITZKER: We’ve done the same as Ohio. We have actually lengthened our hours of early voting. We have mail balloting. We’ve had record mail balloting this year. So we’re going to go ahead with it. But we’ve been extra careful at all of our polling places. Everybody is practicing good hygiene. And we’re making sure that it’s safe for people to come and vote. The schools are closed, so many people will be voting in schools. And there won’t be big crowds.
* Related…
* Chicago breaks World War II-era record for vote-by-mail applications; election officials encourage early voting: Chicago broke a World War II-era record for vote-by-mail applications, with 118,000 voters requesting ballots, she said. Those votes will count if envelopes are postmarked by Tuesday. As of Saturday, 125,000 Chicagoans had voted at one of the city’s more than 50 early voting locations, officials said.
* Press release: With growing concerns about the spread of the coronavirus Jim Oberweis is calling on Gov. Pritzker to take action to allow the elderly and other at-risk individuals to use curbside voting on Election Day instead of risking exposure to the coronavirus. Illinois laws allows for curbside voting for any “voter with a temporary or permanent disability who, because of structural features of the building in which the polling place is located, is unable to access or enter the polling place, may request that 2 judges of election of opposite party affiliation deliver a ballot to him or her at the point where he or she is unable to continue forward motion toward the polling place; but, in no case, shall a ballot be delivered to the voter beyond 50 feet of the entrance to the building in which the polling place is located (10 ILCS 5/17-13) (from Ch. 46, par. 17-13).”
* With coronavirus, how safe will voting be this Election Day?: Potentially late changes to polling locations, new hygiene protocols and even the amount some election judges are being paid are among the ways Tuesday’s primary will be different from many voters’ memories of casting a ballot due to the COVID-19 outbreak.
* Press release: Bernie 2020 announced today that it is ramping up its remote organizing program, making calls to more than 170,000 Illinoisans in a single day since the campaign shifted its organizing capacity to remote and digital formats. The campaign in Illinois received more than 1,000 sign ups for remote volunteer shifts in response to the campaign’s move to remote organizing.
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* During his press conference today (click here), Gov. JB Pritzker began by talking about the situation at O’Hare…
Customs and Border Patrol and the TSA agents are under federal jurisdiction, meaning times of heightened security and monitoring require federal leadership. Instead of being alerted by federal Customs and Border Patrol, my administration learned through Twitter about the unacceptable and frankly dangerous situation at O’Hare International Airport, one of the nation’s and the world’s busiest airports, together with Mayor Lightfoot. Senator Durbin and others. We worked through the night to demand immediate action from the White House, and as a result this morning. I received a call from Vice President Pence and another from Secretary of Homeland Security, acknowledging that mistakes were made and informing me that Customs and Border Patrol would be doubling staff at O’Hare Airport today. I continue to monitor the situation closely.
I don’t usually get heated on Twitter. And I always try to work through official channels. When possible, but when I saw hundreds of people crammed together for many hours at O’Hare in exactly the conditions that I have been warning about for days. I was furious. … If getting mad on Twitter is what it takes to get federal officials to act. Then I am absolutely going to do that.
Remember that I’m using Otter for transcription, so typos are inevitable.
* More…
As I’ve said there are no easy decisions left to make as we address this unprecedented crisis every choice that we face every choice now is hard, and it comes with real consequences for our residents. But as your governor, I cannot let the gravity of these choices prevent us from taking the actions that the science and the experts say will keep people safe.
With that said, I am ordering all bars and restaurants in the state of Illinois to close to the public, as of the close of business Monday Night March 16 through March 30.
* More…
We are working with restaurant owners and food delivery services across the state to see if restaurants can safely keep their kitchens open. So the restaurants can continue food delivery to people at their homes. Additionally, we are allowing drive thru and curbside pickup for restaurants to serve the public over this period, we are working with restaurant owners in this effort. Sam Toya from the restaurant association is here with us today, and has been an incredible help to my administration and troubleshooting this difficult issue.
My staff is working around the clock to help resolve all of the logistical concerns around an action this unprecedented. And we will have more details in the days ahead.
There’s another hard step to take. I know how difficult this will be on small businesses around the state. This is another hard step. But we must do everything that we can to safeguard the health and safety of the citizens of the state of Illinois. And that requires urgent action.
I tried earlier this week to appeal to everyone’s good judgment to stay home to avoid bars, not to congregate in crowds. It’s unfortunate that many people didn’t take that seriously. The time for persuasion and public appeals is over the time for action is here. This is not a joke. No one is immune to this, and you have an obligation to act in the best interests of all the people of this state.
* State employees…
As I announced last week starting tomorrow, the James R Thompson center will be closed to all people who do not have business with the state. My team of deputy governors is working with each of our agencies to continue to provide critical services while following IDPH guidance on risk reduction. That includes directing some employees to continue to come to the office, moving some to a work from home capacity and making other needed adjustments to work schedules. These measures will roll out over the coming days and state workers should expect communications from their agency leaders shortly. All employees will continue to be paid during this time period,
* Food and supplies…
Next, I want to take a moment to talk about something that I know is weighing on everyone’s mind food access for our schoolchildren our most vulnerable populations and all of our residents. I know the grocery stores faced a major surge of shoppers. In the last few days and pictures of barren shelves are quick to circulate on social media. I want people to know that Illinois, food supply chain is among the nation’s strongest and steadiest, and I’m committed to keeping it that way, as this situation evolves.
Already we conferred with grocers of all sizes throughout the state, and ask for their advice on what would make it easier for them to get products through their stores and to our residents, based on that feedback my staff and I have connected with initial cities throughout Illinois, including the city of Chicago, asking that they end their prohibitions on overnight grocery deliveries. We’ve also reached out to the federal level asking them to change regulations to free up the flow of merchandise from warehouses to stores, and we’re working with our own state police to do the same, wherever we can.
More on that topic…
My team at the Department of Agriculture is working around the clock to see how our rural farming communities are doing, how they’re faring during this time, and across the board the answer has been that their supply remains good. We also connected with major national and global food processors including Archer Daniels Midland based in Chicago to check in on their supply chain, and they are doing well, with no hiccups. We need the people of Illinois to help us here to please do not hoard food, buy what you need, but please be reasonable. Think of your friends and your neighbors, there is enough food to go around, but we need people to not be selfish.
* Schools…
As for school provided meals, as I mentioned, our State Board of Education has received the necessary waivers to continue to distribute two meals a day to children who qualified for free and reduced lunch statewide starting Tuesday is me has been working day and night to set up plans with districts across the state and local districts will contact students, parents and guardians directly with more information about what distribution looks like in their communities here in Chicago all school buildings will be available for grab and go pick up for breakfast and lunches to any child under 18 between the hours of 9am and 1pm. You don’t have to go to your own school. And you don’t have to be qualified for free and reduced lunch CPS is giving food to any child who needs it. No questions asked. And I want to just call for a moment for all of you to recognize the hard work that the mayor has put in with her staff and with CPS to make sure that this has happened for the children of the city of Chicago. That work is going on all across the state we have 102 counties, cities all over the entire state of Illinois, that are working this out, locally, and I’m very grateful for their cooperation, and their hard work. Additionally, I reached out to the largest food manufacturers in the state, including Kraft Heinz conagra, and PepsiCo and asked that they donate specific critical items to food banks statewide to help provide a third meal to children who get most of their meals during a regular school day. Those manufacturers conveyed a resounding willingness to help.
* Press release…
The Illinois Department of Public Health today announced 29 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) across Illinois. Five additional counties are now reporting cases – Champaign, Clinton, Sangamon, Whiteside, and Winnebago counties. Other locations with cases include Chicago and Cook, Cumberland, DuPage, Kane, Lake, McHenry, St. Clair, and Woodford counties.
“We are seeing the number of COVID-19 cases increase exponentially and in more locations across Illinois,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “At this point, it is best to assume that the coronavirus is circulating in your community and you should take the same precautions when interacting with other people that you would when interacting with someone who has tested positive for COVID-19. This may seem like an extreme step, but this is how we reduce the number of new cases and prevent the health care system from being overwhelmed.”
Currently, IDPH is reporting 93 cases in 13 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.
* Election…
Finally, I want to address concerns about the election on Tuesday. Folks, right now, every decision that I make is between a bad choice and a less bad choice.
The only thing that I know is that I can’t do. I can’t fail to make a decision at all. That is what I know, I cannot fail to make any decision.
If we delayed the election, it is unclear when we might be able to hold another one.
Many thousands of people have already voted through the mail or have early voted. Thankfully Illinois has made the ballot very accessible to our residents. In fact, we have already set a record for the number of mailing applications in Chicago that have been received. We’re working with our local county clerk’s all across the state and boards of elections, to make sure that in person voting on Tuesday is conducted safely. But remember, today, tomorrow and Tuesday, all are election days.
Democracy must continue. We have to elect leaders, even in less than ideal circumstances. None of these decisions, I come to lightly, and I work hard to consider all the benefits and consequences of each decision.
* It’s roughly doubling every two days…
* Mayor Lori Lightfoot pledged that the city would enforce the closing of restaurants and bars…
(W)e will enforce this at the city level. And let me specifically address St Patrick’s Day. Now I am very well aware of the story traditions of the city. On that day I came to this great city for the first time on St Patrick’s Day, as a college freshman. So I get it. But this year, this time is different. It must be different to save lives. I do not want to see hordes of people out in the streets, the bars will be shut. So please stay home and be safe. I asked everyone to continue practicing common sense measures that have proven to limit exposure to this virus. Continue to wash your hands, routinely practice social distancing stay home. If you are sick, or if you don’t need to be out and about, not just for your own well being, but for the well being of every single person you interact with
* Gov. Pritzker was asked why the vote by mail deadline wasn’t extended…
So, number one, we, as you know, Thursday was the last day that you could turn in an application for a mail ballot. If we had extended that deadline it wouldn’t have guaranteed to people that their ballot would have actually been returned or postmarked as of Tuesday. And that’s when it has to be postmarked by law. So what we did instead was allow people to pick up those mail ballots, those applications and the actual mail ballots themselves and mail them back in over the weekend so that they would be postmarked by Tuesday. We also implored all of the county clerks across the state. The state board of elections the city board of elections to extend the hours of early voting, so that people who might not have been able to get an ballot by mail will be able to show up in person during a day when maybe they didn’t want to show up on Tuesday, they’d like to do it early when there may be a smaller number of people at the polling place.
* Mayor Lightfoot…
We’ve also done a call for volunteers [for election day workers]… We’ve got hundreds of additional people who have responded there in the course of going through online training, and so we believe that we will have a sufficient number of election judges to staff the polling places on election day.
* Pritzker on blood donations…
Next I want to address blood donations across the state. We’ve seen an outpouring of individuals fiercely interested in supporting their neighbors as this situation evolves. I want to encourage individuals who are healthy, feeling well and are eligible to give blood or platelets to make an appointment to donate as soon as possible with the American Red Cross. A blood shortage could impact patients who need surgery, victims of car accidents and other emergencies, or patients suffering from cancer. One of the most important things that you can do to ensure that we don’t have another healthcare crisis on top of the coronavirus is to give blood. The Red Cross has procedures in place to enforce social distancing guidelines and keep donors safe as they accept blood donations. They need our help, right now.
Press conference has ended. You’ll find archived video and audio by clicking here.
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*** UPDATED x1 *** Some more COVID-19 updates
Sunday, Mar 15, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
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*** UPDATE *** News-Gazette…
The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District announced Sunday a Champaign County woman in her 50s has the first confirmed case of coronavirus disease in the local community.
She is at home in isolation and recovering, and all her close contacts are being identified and contacted, according to the health district.
[ *** End Of Update *** ]
* From yesterday…
Gov. Pritzker’s 2:30 pm press conference has been moved back to 3 o’clock. Click here to watch it live and click here to monitor the event on the live coverage post.
* From 1918 during the influenza outbreak…
“Coughers, sneezers and spitters shall be expelled.” Heh.
* DuPage…
DuPage County Board Chairman Dan Cronin is signing a disaster declaration after a resident of a long-term care facility tested positive for the coronavirus.
The woman, who is in her 60s, is a resident of the Chateau Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Willowbrook, officals announced during a Sunday morning press conference.
The building has been locked down to outside visitors, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said when he announced DuPage County’s first case Saturday. Other residents are being carefully monitored to prevent further spread of the virus, he said.
* Cumberland County in eastern Illinois…
Cumberland County officials have declared a state of emergency after a male resident in his 70s was diagnosed with the coronavirus.
All events in Cumberland County, including church services, have been canceled for the next week, as officials seek to determine who may have come into contact with the man and prevent the further spread of the virus.
“We are doing our background checks for him, his interactions and where he’s been,” said Roy Clapp, Cumberland County Board chairman.
The patient was treated at the Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center emergency room. The Illinois Department of Public Health notified the hospital late Friday that he had tested positive for the virus, the hospital said.
* NPR Illinois…
Testing for the novel coronavirus is still restricted in Sangamon County on Sunday, despite the first two confirmed cases being announced Saturday evening.
The two private hospitals in Springfield — Memorial Medical Center and HSHS St. John’s — have contracted with private companies to get test kits for COVID-19, the disease caused by the novel coronavirus.
But they have not begun using the tests, as the Illinois Department of Public Health still determines who should be tested, according to a St. John’s spokesperson.
Local public health officials and hospital leaders on Saturday said testing will be prioritized for people who have been in contact with those who have confirmed cases or those who have traveled to areas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention deem high risk, including China and Italy.
“The same criteria that the Illinois Department of Public Health is applying, so are most of these labs,” said Dr. Raj Govindaiah, chief medical officer at Memorial Health Systems. “It increases the number of labs doing the test; it does not make it easier for you to get a test.”
The problem is the lack of test kits available both here and nationwide. It’s ridiculous. Mark Maxwell of WCIA TV has an informational story about how he wasn’t able to get tested. Click here.
* Oy…
The Trump administration has been working to relax regulations governing America’s nursing homes, including rules meant to curb deadly infections among elderly residents.
That was published yesterday.
* Good news from Rivers Casino…
Rich,
I hope you are taking care of yourself while you bust your tail on all of the pandemic coverage. We do appreciate the updates though.
I just wanted to make sure your readers know that Rivers Casino Des Plaines, which is temporarily shutting down today for two weeks, is, per Neil Bluhm, continuing to pay all 1500 employees over that time. This includes tipped employees.
I’ll keep you posted. Let me know if you need anything of me.
Culloton
* Good move…
Walmart stores across the country will adjust their operating hours as the nation continues to take precautions in the face of the coronavirus.
The national retailer has announced that it will close overnight to allow employees to restock shelves and sanitize and clean the stores.
* I simply cannot keep up with all the breaking news. This is just an unprecedented situation. I am posting press releases and other updates on the live coverage post, which also picks up my retweets, so click here and keep an eye on the post.
Other COVID-19 updates can be found here…
* Chicago Tribune
* Daily Herald
* Sun-Times
* WTTW
* WCIA
* The Southern
* Effingham Daily News
* Peoria Journal Star
* Rockford Register-Star
Some of these are site searches because the outlets don’t have their own COVID-19 pages, so you’re going to get a lot of national and international overlap. Sorry.
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* Meet the Press…
CHUCK TODD: Governor Pritzker, let me start with you, with happened overnight at O’Hare. And again, you weren’t the only airport, but every major international airport seemed to have a similar situation. Dr. Fauci seemed to say ‘look – that is what’s going to happen when you come back into this country.’ What do you believe should have been done that wasn’t done?
GOV. J.B. PRITZKER: Well, that’s not right, I mean – I have enormous respect for Dr. Fauci, but that’s just incorrect. We knew when the President gave the orders that European travel back to the United States was going to be cut off that there would be an influx of people, Americans and others, that would come before final cut off. So what should have happened, they should have increased the customs and border patrol numbers and they should have increased the number of CDC personnel on the ground doing those checks. They did neither of those. So last night as people were flooding into O’Hare Airport, they were stuck in a small area, hundreds and hundreds of people, and that’s exactly what you don’t want in this pandemic. So we have that problem. And then today, it’s going to be even worse. There are a larger number of flights with more people coming and they seem completely unprepared.
CHUCK TODD: So you have not gotten any reassurance from customs officials that they are going to have more folks on hand today?
GOV. J.B. PRITZKER: Well, here’s what I got. I got a call at about 11 o’clock last night, after that tweet, from a White House staffer who yelled at me about the tweet. That is what I got. Now we’ve been talking to customs and border patrol officials directly on the ground at O’Hare. I’ve been working with the mayor and our senators to make sure that we are getting the federal government to pay attention to this problem because we can’t have it happen all day today.
His tweet thread is here. Harsh.
* Updated statement from the governor’s office…
The Governor has made it clear he believes the federal government needs to step up and put the health and safety of our nation first. Instead of being briefed about possible challenges at our airports, the Governor and other elected officials became aware of major issues at O’Hare on Twitter. Together with the Mayor of Chicago and Senator Dick Durbin the Governor worked to get quick action from the White House.
After the Governor’s tweet and the resulting angry phone call from the White House, this morning the Vice President and the Secretary of Homeland Security each called the Governor to inform him that the Customs and Border Control is increasing staff at O’Hare today. The Governor continues to work closely with Sen. Dick Durbin to communicate our concerns to the federal government. The Governor has no interest in playing politics as we grapple with this crisis, and he will be monitoring the situation at O’Hare throughout the day.
…Adding… Durbin confirms via press release…
On a call with Vice President Mike Pence today, Durbin secured a commitment for increased resources at Chicago O’Hare International Airport.
* Mayor Lightfoot went to O’Hare this morning…
Mayor Lori Lightfoot blasted the federal government during a news conference Sunday for what she called a lack of preparedness for the rush of international travelers requiring airport screenings upon returning to O’Hare International Airport over the weekend. […]
“That fail is directly the cause of last night’s unacceptable conditions at O’Hare international airport and other airports across the country,” said Lightfoot at a news conference from O’Hare’s Terminal 5, the international terminal of the busiest airport in the world. “Thousands of travelers were forced to wait in exceedingly long lines, congregating in concourses, and putting themselves and their loved ones at greater risk of exposure of COVID-19.”
Pictures circulated on social media depicted dense crowds of international travelers at O’Hare, despite the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recently recommending “social distancing” protocols to help mitigate the spread of the highly contagious virus.
“Then we had 3,000 plus people in the concourses, cheek to jowel, which obviously violates CDC guidance which talks about social distancing,” Lightfoot said.
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* Press release…
Due to concerns of St. Patrick’s Day festivities continuing through St. Patrick’s Day on March 17th, the City today issued new precautionary measures and guidelines to enforce large gatherings at bars and liquor establishments throughout Chicago. As part of the City’s efforts to keep residents safe and healthy, the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) and the Chicago Police Department (CPD) are enforcing all business establishments that sell liquor to have less than half of their regular max capacity. Additionally, any establishments that sell liquor will have a max capacity of 100 persons.
As part of these measures to limit large gatherings, the City is also requiring business owners to discontinue lining patrons up who are waiting for entry outside of establishments and on the public way. BACP and CPD are working with local entrepreneurs and business owners to ensure they’re monitoring the new requirements, and the Departments will issue citations to owners if any establishment fails to enforce the new capacity limits.
Last week, City announced new guidance on large gatherings, mandating that events exceeding 1,000 individuals be cancelled and recommending that community events of 250 people or more should be cancelled or postponed. Additionally, the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is reminding people of health guidance on large gatherings and social distancing, and reiterating that everyone has a role to play in helping contain the spread of COVID-19.
For those planning to attend a large gathering or event, CDPH recommends common sense health and safety tips, and social distancing:
Do not attend any events or gatherings if you are sick. If you are sick, just stay home.
Vulnerable populations, including older individuals and those with underlying health conditions, should limit travel and should not attend large gatherings.
If you do attend an event, use common sense about your interactions and practice social distancing techniques.
For events that aren’t cancelled, CDPH strongly encourages that event organizers provide additional hand sanitizer and hand washing stations, and conduct additional cleaning, including for high touch surface areas like counter tops and handrails.
The best way for all Chicagoans to reduce their risk of getting sick, as with seasonal colds or the flu, still applies to prevent COVID-19. Stay home if you are sick, wash your hands, and cover your cough or sneeze! Stay tuned for the latest news on the City’s efforts to combat COVID-19 by visiting Chicago.gov/coronavirus
* Crain’s…
In an interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press” this morning, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said despite shutting down the city’s annual St. Patrick’s Day parades and calling off the river dyeing, “many young people who think they’re impervious to this went out and celebrated. And I had my 2:30 briefing yesterday, called out the problem of people on the street, and unfortunately we haven’t seen a lot of movement.”
“People aren’t understanding that, even if you’re healthy, even if you’re young, that you may be a carrier. And you’re going to hand it over to somebody else. COVID-19 is spreading because even healthy people can be walking around, giving it to other people. So we need to go on lockdown,” he said. “Nowhere in the United States really has there been a lockdown on bars and restaurants, but it’s something that we’re seriously looking at.”
Stay tuned.
* Meanwhile, in Springfield…
Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder is urging city residents to act cautiously but not panic following the disclosure of two Sangamon County residents testing positive for COVID-19. […]
The mayor also acknowledged partaking in St. Patrick’s Day celebrations in downtown Springfield earlier Saturday, joining revelers at the Alamo and Frankie’s Brewhaus, where he sang a song.
“So if you want to take precautionary measures, you would stay home like my wife did,” Langfelder said. “If you want to go out and show confidence, things of that nature, you have to use common sense. I did go out. I did use hand sanitizer, tired to avoid shaking people’s hands, things of that nature.”
Dude.
* Response…
Ward 6 Kristin DiCenso says she’s been exposed to the virus and so have other council members. Blasts the mayor in a message to Langfelder, calling him to act responsibly and declare an emergency. See below for text.
Mayor,
In reading this article (in the SJR about Langfelder going to bars), I’m not only shocked but extremely disappointed. The situation calls for more than caution.
Last night, I was informed that I had been exposed to COVID-19.
know others on the Council received the same call. Equally disappointing was the County’s response to “go about my daily life”. This is how community spread happens. Luckily, Deputy Governor Christian Mitchell understands the need to self quarantine and told me to stay home.
It’s time for the City to get serious about this situation and stop taking a passive role. A State of Emergency needs to be declared and regular daily life needs to change for awhile. This is not panic, it’s common sense.
I hope you do the right thing sooner rather than later.
We’re all here to help you, even if it is from home. Please, for the sake of our City, take the appropriate action.
Best,
Kristin
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* The governor began his press conference today with an observation that “We saw a lot of people out and about today”…
We can have a massive positive effect on bending the transmission curve, thereby saving lives. If people will take this seriously. We have seen positive results in countries that took aggressive action, and we have seen tragic outcomes in countries that did not.
If you are young and healthy, listen up. We need you to follow social distancing guidelines, too.
You may only have mild symptoms for a few days and may think that you’re just fine. But you can have the unintended tragic effect of spreading COVID-19 to others who may be more vulnerable. Please, please, do the right thing for your community for your friends, and for your family.
So once again, no matter how healthy you feel if you can stay home. If you are able to telework do so. If you don’t have to travel, don’t. This isn’t forever. This is a sacrifice in the short term, to help our hospitals our healthcare workers, our testing labs and are vulnerable and elderly residents. Every action that we take to control the spread of this virus and prevent our medical infrastructure from dealing with too many cases at once, is an action that saves lives.
Remember that I’m using Otter for transcription, so blame obvious typos on the app, not the speakers.
* Pritzker on the national emergency declaration…
I’m doing everything that I can to help our working families through these unprecedented challenges with the federal government’s newly declared state of emergency. Under the Stafford Act, my administration is filing a request for a federal waiver to allow our Medicaid program to more freely respond to the mid 19 crisis. By expanding medical services during this crisis, my administration is working to ensure that those who fear that they may be getting sick, will have access to the testing and treatment that they need without being saddled with costly medical bills for their care. When the federal waiver is approved, we’ll be able to expand Medicaid services to fight this epidemic through the addition of new medical providers, increased access across the state, and ramped up services to many of the state’s most vulnerable populations.
*** UPDATE *** Oh, man…
I want to provide an update finally on the number of cases here in Illinois.
Yesterday we announced a total case count of 46, including individuals who have made a full recovery.
Today, we have an additional 18 cases, bringing our total count to 64. While the majority of our cases remain concentrated in Cook County. Our patients now span eight counties of Illinois, including central and southern Illinois. In addition to Cook, Kane, McHenry and Lake, Cumberland, DuPage, St. Clair and Woodford counties.
* Uh-oh…
One of these cases is a woman in her 60s who resides at a private long term care facility in DuPage County.
I want to assure the public that members of my administration, including an infectious disease team from the Illinois Department of Public Health are on the ground working with area officials. The facility has been locked down to outside visitors and internally. And we are monitoring every residents health carefully with a heightened vigilance to minimize any further spread. As a reminder to our elderly residents and to their loved ones we’ve issued strict guidelines around restricting visitors at long term care facilities that we control, and we continue to collaborate with the various statewide associations to ensure that they are following our efforts with similarly strict guidelines across other facilities.
The IDPH director said some of these cases could be the result of community spread.
* Press release…
The Illinois Department of Public Health today announced the first cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in central and southern Illinois. A Woodford County resident in his 70s and a Cumberland County resident in his 70s both tested positive for COVID-19. Additionally, two St. Clair County residents have tested positive – a woman in her 60s and a woman in her 70s. Possible exposures and travel histories for the two individuals are still being investigated and public health officials are working to identify and contact all individuals who are close contacts for these two cases. […]
The total number of cases in Illinois now stands at 64. In addition to cases in Cumberland, DuPage, St. Clair, and Woodford counties, there are seven new cases in Chicago, four in suburban Cook, one in Kane, and one in Lake counties.
* The governor was told by a reporter that he saw long lines of people waiting to get into taverns on his way to the press conference. Pritzker’s response…
I want to ask you for your help in this … You heard me just moments ago talk about that exact problem. I see those same people on the street.
The fact is that people need to act properly at this time people and others should be talking to those people about acting properly.
I have, you know, made it very clear that gathering in crowds is not a good idea. And of course we’ve mandated very large crowds, you know not gather. So we’re doing the best we can, but it is very helpful if members of the media will repeat this message for us. I think that there are young people who hear that, well it’s not affecting as many young people as it is older people or it’s not as impactful and young people and they think well it’s okay to just go on about their business the way they were before, that’s just not true. You could be a carrier yourself. So when you go out in public, whether you’re 20 years old 30 years old, when you go out in public you are potentially giving somebody else COVID-19. So, please, go home. Please gather in smaller groups. […]
Look, we don’t want to put people out of business, but we do want people to act properly in this moment to keep the public safe and healthy.
* Prizker was asked why pre-schools weren’t shut down. He pointed to the guidance barring crowds of 250 or more…
There are preschools that are in those K-12 facilities. Those are shut down. too. But the independent childcare, and daycare and preschools, the ones that operate separate from K-12, typically are much smaller.
And so we’re, because of that 250 rule and because we’re looking at least at this moment and again we can evolve our guidance here, but at this moment, it does not look like we need to shut those down or ask people to close.
And I think, you know, it would additionally be a hardship, given the schools are closed. So, those are remaining open and again they’re smaller groups. You have to remember, we operate today on the scientific evidence that exists, which is somewhat limited because of the limit on the tests. You’ve heard me talk about this every day. I won’t go on about it today but we have a limit to the number of tests that we have currently. And so we have to operate a little bit on the basis of statisticians and mathematicians, working with the scientists to determine what size crowds are okay and what size crowds are probably not okay. And those are estimates, we’re operating on those estimates, those are again made by experts, but that’s why you see a number like 250, and not 200 or 150 or 50. Right now that guidance is 250 and we’re following that.
* Sigh…
* Press release…
During the administration’s daily press briefing on the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, Governor JB Pritzker announced that his administration will file a federal waiver to expand Medicaid coverage as COVID-19 continues to spread and affect the daily lives people across the nation.
“With the federal government’s newly declared state of emergency, under the Stafford Act my administration is filing a request for a federal waiver to allow our Medicaid program to more freely respond to the COVID-19 crisis by expanding medical services,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “During this crisis my administration is working to ensure that those who fear that they may be getting sick have access to the testing and treatment that they need without being saddled with costly medical bills for their care.”
Building on the state’s earlier measures to help working families through the expansion of unemployment insurance and calls for utilities to halt shut-offs and late payment fees, the Pritzker administration started working on the waiver application as soon as the federal government declared a national emergency and activated the Stafford Act.
If the federal waiver is approved, the state will be able to expand Medicaid services through the addition of new medical providers, increased access across the state and ramped up services to many of the state’s most vulnerable populations.
The press conference has ended. -30-
*** UPDATE 2 *** Oy…
*** UPDATE 3 *** WTAX is reporting two…
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* This was just issued to agency directors. Still nothing yet on employee telecommuting. Talks reportedly continue with AFSCME. Click the pics for a larger version…
Notice this is silent on parents with school-age kids who are going to be at home for two weeks because of the governor’s Friday order shutting down the system.
The Illinois Department of Public Health has broad powers at times like these. It could issue an order if the AFSCME talks aren’t fruitful. Just sayin… If you’re gonna close schools, shut down casinos, etc., then state workers who don’t absolutely have to be in the office or in the field should be telecommuting.
I know there are also DoIT issues here, but that agency needs to be working ’round the clock to address these challenges.
* This was issued today by GOMB…
The health, safety, and well-being of state employees and the general public are among the highest priorities of the Administration. With the heightened concerns raised by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention regarding COVID-19, we must continue to be diligent in practicing preventative safety measures to keep Illinoisans healthy.
To that end, all forms of travel that are not mission essential to the operations of the agency are to be canceled immediately and until further notice. This includes in state travel, as well as out of state travel, both domestic and international. Guidance regarding the types of travel restrictions are as follows:
1. Out of state travel – International
All current pending and upcoming international travel is canceled.
2. Out of state travel- Domestic
All current pending and upcoming domestic travel that is not mission essential to performing job functions or agency operations is canceled.
3. In state travel
All in state travel that is not mission essential to performing job functions or to agency operations is canceled. Agencies are encouraged to use remote options such as audio and video conferencing.
Agency leadership should also inform their staff that are currently on travel status to return home as soon as possible.
Examples of allowable travel that are mission essential to agency operations are as follows:
• Department of Children and Family Services investigations, follow-up on youth in care.
• Testifying in a court case or replying to a subpoena.
• Mandated training for public safety or health related job functions.
• Police and emergency services personnel on duty, including medical transport.
Examples of non missions essential travel are as follows:
• Conferences for professional organizations or professional development.
• Making sure that Illinois is recognized for the good work it is doing in any particular field.
• Required training, such as grant compliance. While training is important to many positions,
during this time an alternative should be determined, such as if the training can be done on- line. Agencies should consider alternate options such as rescheduling for a later date, online options, utilizing audio and video conferencing.
GOMB will be sending out a blanket waiver memo that extends until April 30, 2020 stating that costs incurred for state related travel that was canceled due to the developing COVID-19 situation shall be reimbursable without the need to file an exception with the Travel Control Board.
All out of state travel requests currently pending with GOMB will be put on hold and sent back to the agency. Only essential out of state travel should be submitted for consideration. If you have any questions regarding out of state travel requests please reach out to the GOMB travel coordinator.
Please communicate these travel restrictions to your agency staff.
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* Mattoon…
A patient at Sarah Bush Lincoln Health Center has tested positive for the disease from coronavirus, according to hospital spokeswoman Patty Peterson.
The patient was treated in the SBLHC emergency room and the Illinois Department of Public Health notified the hospital late Friday that the person was positive for COVID-19, the disease caused by coronavirus, Peterson said.
She said the patient resides in the SBLHC 10-county service area but couldn’t say more about the person’s residence or identity because of patient confidentiality requirements.
Asked if this was the first Downstate case, the governor’s press secretary said today “Yes we have our first cases downstate.” So, there’s more than one.
*** UPDATE *** WICS…
On March 14th, our ABC affiliates, HOI in Peoria say they spoke with officials at Unity Point Methodist Clinic that confirms the first COVID-19 case in Central Illinois.
A patient at the clinic was tested positive for COVID-19 on Friday, March 13th.
* Meanwhile, the President of the United States has declared a national emergency, but a central Illinois public health director says meh…
Live your life as you normally would.
That is the message from the Director of the DeWitt/Piatt Bi-County Health Director as the response to the coronavirus intensifies across the country. Dave Remmert points out there are no cases of coronavirus in DeWitt or Piatt County, nor are there any cases in this region.
That guy should be removed from office.
* ABC 7…
Concerns about the COVID-19 virus are causing major challenges for election officials in Chicago and Cook County.
With the Illinois Primary just 4 days away, hundreds of elections judges have quit and polling places are opting out.
“Our problems occur on two fronts, one is that 50 polling places have closed to date that number seems to be growing,” said Edmund Michalowski, Deputy clerk of elections for Cook County.
The county is moving many of those polling places that have opted out to courthouses which will house multiple precincts.
They have also lost more than 800 election judges, 10 percent of what they will need.
Make do and mend.
* Big news…
Chief Judge Evans postpones most cases for 30 days due to coronavirus
Released On 03/13/2020
Many criminal and civil cases in the Circuit Court of Cook County will be postponed for a 30-day period starting Tuesday (March 17) due to the spread of the coronavirus, Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans announced today.
Go read the rest for deets.
* Croke’s top opponent, appointed Rep. Yoni Pizer (D-Chicago) has suspended all in-person campaigning…
Mayor Lightfoot is a Pizer supporter, but it’s still probably good advice…
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot issued the following statement on Saturday, urging candidates in Tuesday’s primary election to cease in-person get-out-the-vote operations in light of efforts to contain the spread of coronavirus:
“In light of guidance from public health officials to practice social distancing to stem the COVID-19 outbreak, political campaigns and organizations should take immediate steps to cease in-person get-out-the-vote efforts. At this moment, we must all do everything we can to stop the spread of this virus. While I am fully aware that this is not an ideal situation for campaigns as I understand the type of in-person and close contact campaigning that is traditionally done within the final days of an election, everyone must now take responsibility for keeping our communities safe. There are plenty of organizing tactics available that don’t involve in-person contact such as phone banking, texting out the vote and other virtual communications practices.
“Those who wish to lead us in government should model good and safe behavior by stopping these activities in order to slow the spread of this virus. This is a time to put safety over politics.”
* This is a good idea because the city has left hundreds of millions of dollars a year on the table because it hasn’t opted in…
With conventions and concerts cancelling, professional sports leagues on hiatus and more and more employees working from home, city revenues are dropping like a rock.
A budget based on a bunch of shaky assumptions even before the crisis will now hemorrhage revenue from taxes on everything from amusements, retail sales, hotel rooms and restaurant meals to parking and gasoline — not to mention lost congestion fees. CTA fares are also certain to take a hit.
At the risk of re-opening an old wound, Ald. Gilbert Villegas (36th), the mayor’s floor leader, suggested a possible life raft.
“Video gaming,” he said with a nervous laugh.
“Video gaming,” he repeated. “If you look across the state, it’s generating a ton of money. And we haven’t been involved. I think there’s an opportunity to capture some revenue there.”
* I mean, what did they expect? They should’ve read their sweeping and even draconian ordinance before passing it…
At a meeting Friday morning, the Champaign City Council unanimously approved an ordinance that gives the mayor and city manager certain emergency powers in response to the coronavirus pandemic. […]
The expansive powers in the ordinance spread quickly online, with the clause allowing a restriction on firearm sales leading the lobbying arm of the National Rifle Association to issue a “National Alert.”
Later in the day, the city tried to clean up, issuing a statement that it doesn’t plan to take anyone’s guns.
“To be clear, there is currently no firearm ban and no intent to seize property or close businesses,” the city’s statement said. “Additionally, there are no restrictions on the sale of alcohol or gas or the ability to enter or leave Champaign.”
* From a Marie Newman supporter…
Hi Rich,
Just wanted to make sure you saw that Rep Dan Lipinski held a coronavirus virtual town hall and put out coronavirus messaging on twitter and then sat out on the vote to pass the Families First Coronavirus Response Act.
The explanation…
He was in the district. The congressman was prepared to fly back to DC to vote for the package but after conferring with House leadership they told him they had reached a bipartisan deal and his vote wasn’t necessary. I believe 25 other reps did not vote. He definitely would have been a yes vote. This morning he held a tele-town hall on the coronavirus for Third District constituents featuring a panel of experts from Northwestern, U of C, Cook County Department of Public Health and the State. He went over the details of the package passed last night and the healthcare experts answered questions and provided information about steps the public can take to prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
* Roundup…
* Can our hospitals handle the coronavirus outbreak? - A spokesman for the Illinois Hospital Association is urging calm as public health officials figure out the magnitude of the virus locally. But one expert warns “this is going to be a fairly tremendous strain on our health system.”
* House passes coronavirus aid package for free tests and sick pay after Trump declares outbreak a national emergency
* Coronavirus in Illinois updates: Here’s what’s happening Saturday with COVID-19 in the Chicago area: 12:05 p.m.: Elmhurst Memorial Hospital confirms its 1st coronavirus patient … 11:25 a.m.: Chicago Park District suspends all scheduled programing ‘until further notice’
* Tribune: Running list of Chicago-area closings and cancellations because of coronavirus
* Illinois Department of Corrections suspends visits to all IDOC facilities
* ‘Huge cloud’ hangs over concert industry as Live Nation and AEG shut down tours amid coronavirus
* Apple closes all stores outside of China for 2 weeks to fight coronavirus pandemic
* Fact check: Trump’s false claims about his response to the coronavirus
* The S&P 500 Had Its Choppiest Week Since Hoover Was President
* Tom Kacich: A century later, same rules apply to stop spread of disease
* Heidi Stevens: Closing all Illinois schools, including CPS, means a lot of kids will need food. Meet some of the people stepping in to help.
* Sweep of cancellations hit Springfield amid busiest convention period
* Springfield: Churches, worship centers making adjustments for weekend services
* Here’s how Southern Illinois community colleges are responding to COVID-19
* Some Southern Illinois schools closing a day ahead of Pritzker mandate
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