* WGN…
According to a WGN-TV/Emerson College poll, Joe Biden is the front runner in Illinois. By a wide-margin voters support Biden over Bernie Sanders. According to the poll, 56.6% of Illinois voters choose Biden, 36.2% support Sanders. […]
In terms of the Cook County State’s Attorney race, the incumbent Kim Foxx came out on top.
Kim Foxx 36.3%
Bill Conway 20.3%
Donna More 4.8%
Bob Fioretti 4.3%
34.2% said they remain undecided
Voters were also asked if they approve or disapprove of Trump’s pardoning of former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
71.8% of voters disapprove
28.2% approve.
Maybe the Chicago TV stations will now stop lionizing the disgraced former governor. More results at the link.
…Adding… As somebody pointed out, the undecideds in the state’s attorney race are quite large. Plenty of room for movement, but we’ll see. The spread is definitely big. I would love to see the xtabs to see who is still making up their minds.
…Adding More… The crosstabs are actually online. Click here. 40 percent of white voters, who are pretty much evenly split in this poll between Foxx and Conway, are still undecided. And 32 percent of black voters, who are with Foxx over Conway 59-4, are undecided. About a third of both men and women are undecided, and Foxx leads Conway by 5 points among men and 25 points among women. Just 16 percent of voters 65+ are undecided and Foxx leads Conway by 31 points. 30 percent of voters aged 50-64 are undecided and Foxx leads by 30.
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* The governor moved his daily COVID-19 press conference to 5 pm today. Chicago TV stations are airing the event live. Click here for the live feed.
The governor said he’s asked sports team owners to cancel all games or play without spectators until May 1. “All of the owners that I spoke with told me that they completely understood and were more than willing to comply with this guidance.”
* Remember that I use Otter for quick transcriptions, so some typos will appear. More…
I’m asking that all community events that organizers expect will attract 250, or more people be canceled, or postponed until May 1. This includes personal and social events. I’m mandating that events of 1000 or more people be canceled, or postponed immediately.
I do not want to waste precious resources monitoring event cancellations. So I’m appealing to the Civic patriotic and humanitarian character of the residents of Illinois to act on this guidance immediately without any need for official state action.
Even for events that will attract crowds less than 250 people. It is critically important that organizers, think about who is likely to attend. And if likely attendees include individuals in vulnerable populations, such as the elderly, or those who are immunosuppressed, please consider canceling.
* Schools…
With regard to schools here in Chicago and around the state. The mayor will speak to guidance for CPS students and teachers. We are not closing our schools, but we are monitoring the situation on a day to day basis.
…Adding… From the governor’s press secretary…
We obviously are cognizant of the fact that students rely on schools for safety and food. So just shutting them down is not the best option for a lot of students
* JRTC…
I am also announcing tonight, that I am closing the James R Thompson center to people who do not have business with the state effective Monday. The JRTC houses many employees who perform essential functions for the state, and I need to take this extraordinary measure to make sure that they can continue to do their jobs during this challenging time.
* Private companies…
I am also asking every private business to have employees work remotely. And fortunately many can consider making the decision to do so immediately. Those businesses that cannot easily have employees work remotely need to think through plans to promote social distancing at work.
* Election…
I also want to make clear that the election will proceed forward on Tuesday. I’m encouraging all local election authorities to expand the hours of early voting every day until Election Day. […]
For those of you who plan to vote on election day. Please know that local clerks and boards of election are working diligently to ensure that polls operate smoothly and safely, the Illinois Department of Public Health issued a guidance, specifically for polling places to make sure that election judges volunteers and voters are healthy and safe. Free and Open elections are the structural support of our democracy. One of the most important duties that I have as governor is to do everything in my power to make sure elections proceed forward as planned.
* To skeptics…
I know that some people will ask whether these measures are necessary in counties and cities that have seen very few or no positive Corona virus cases, we have seen what works and what doesn’t work from other countries around the world, especially in the earliest days of community spread of this virus. Don’t be fooled into thinking that your community is immune. I’m not going to hesitate to take the most aggressive measures possible to protect the people of our state.
* To the media…
Finally, I want to make an appeal directly to the press, and to our public and our private institutions around the state. Please. Please do not report or act on unconfirmed reports that may be grinding the rumor mill. The work involved in issuing clear and direct guidelines on a day to day basis when new information comes in, literally, by the minute is time consuming and requires consultation with many stakeholders and partners. We are committed to getting it right every step of the way. We established these daily briefings so that the press and the public could get clear and reliable information directly from us.
* To the public…
I wish I could tell you that going about your everyday lives with no adjustments was the best course of action right now. It is not and I owe you honesty. We need to reduce social contact in order to try and control the spread of the virus and prevent our medical infrastructure from dealing with too many cases at one time. We all have responsibilities to the most vulnerable among us, and that means making sacrifices in the immediate term.
We also have responsibilities to the healthcare workers and first responders who rush into danger for us every day. If we can do something to make their jobs easier we owe it to them to do it. I know that for so many people, these sacrifices are difficult. I know that people’s lives and livelihoods are going to be affected in the coming weeks. This state has an incredible group of civic minded communities and leaders. I am asking all of you to find a way to ask your neighbors, and your friends and your family, to help.
I’m appealing to your creativity and your generosity and the deep empathy that runs through every corner of this state, find a way to be a helper.
It’s easy to be overwhelmed by all the news coming at you right now, but the people of this state are an audacious and fearless bunch. Our public institutions are among the best in the country. We have the knowledge, the resources and the talented people to deal with each new challenge that comes our way. A few weeks ago I gave a state of the state address, and I told you that what you want, that when you want to solve problems you focus on the next important thing that needs to get done. That is what all of us are doing. That is what we will continue to do. And that is what you can do to.
And together we’ll find a way to the other side.
* Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot spoke next…
Community events that have more than 1000 people are banned for the next 30 days in the city of Chicago. Period.
Planned events or community events mean planned events that bring together large numbers of people. We’re not talking about airports, train stations, public transit or schools, but we do mean conferences banquets, concerts, and such.
* CPS…
At this time, CPS will remain open.
Now, we would never put our children in danger. And I say that as mayor but also as a mother. At this time CPS will however begin scaling back large scale events, issuing guidance to all school personnel in advance of spring break, instituting a mandatory policy on short term closers for any schools with confirmed cases and ensuring parents and loved ones are frequently updated and CPS will be issuing a specific set of guidance today to the school community.
* Comcast…
I’m proud to announce that effective Monday, Comcast will be nearly doubling internet speeds for low income households nationally. This came after a request from my team here in Chicago to ensure that residents and families who are increasingly encouraged to remain at home, will have access to vital internet service, Comcast will also be providing 60 free days of internet to any low income household starting this coming Monday via their internet essentials program. I’d like to thank Comcast for their leadership and being good corporate citizens, and you are going to see my administration rollout more initiatives to assist our businesses and residents in the coming days.
* Cook County President Toni Preckwinkle…
Today I issued multiple executive orders that will require an include the following meetings of the various boards commissions and advisory boards, created by Cook County ordinance, or resolution will be cancelled, to the extent possible in the month of March and April.
If cancellation is not possible. The meeting agendas should be limited to matters that require immediate action by the relevant board commission or advisory body.
All committee, and subcommittee meetings of the Cook County Board of Commissioners except the finance committee will be canceled for the month of March.
The March 26 Cook County Board of Commissioners meeting, and its agenda will proceed but be limited in scope.
* Election day…
Tuesday is Election Day. Our Cook County Clerk, and the Chicago Board of Elections teams are working very hard to ensure that polling places are clean, safe and secure. Voting is our civic duty. And we should all vote. I encourage you to vote early. If you’re concerned about crowds at the polls.
* Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health…
There are seven more individuals in Illinois who have tested positive for the corona virus disease. There are two additional cases in Chicago. A woman in her 40s, and a child.
There is also a new case in Kane County. A gentleman in his 70s, and the case in McHenry County, a gentleman in his 60s.
There are also three new cases in Cook County to women in their 70s, and the gentleman in his 50s, we are investigating the travel history of these individuals, any potential contacts with known cases, public health officials from their respective jurisdictions will identify and contact all people who are considered close contacts of these identified cases.
While older adults appear to be suffering more severe illness, the young child in Chicago is a reminder that anyone can be infected with this virus. Again, each new case involves monitoring and following up with the individual, so that we can ensure that they receive the health care that they need.
But it also means from that one case that dozens, if not hundreds of additional close contacts will need to be identified contacted and have their information gathered, and be monitored. […]
So while you may not have a case in your community now, we anticipate that there will be.
* Back to Lightfoot on not closing schools…
We don’t see a reason at this point to shut down the schools. But keep in mind when you think about shutting down the schools, and particularly with respect to CPS, that has a lot of potential cascading effects. A substantial percentage of our students depend upon the schools for eating. They depend upon the schools for shelter, and in some instances, for where they get the clothing and other needs. So it’s a very big deal to say that we would be shutting down schools. We are not there yet. Obviously, we’re putting a public safety and public health, first and foremost. Should there be a reason for us to do that we will, we won’t hesitate to do that, but we are not there yet based upon the current public health data
Presser is over.
* CTU…
The Illinois primary election is scheduled for Tuesday, March 17. We have received no direction from the City or CPS about the school district’s plan to keep students and educators safe from the spread of COVID-19, nor have we received information on plans regarding the care of medically fragile individuals. We believe there are more than 540 separate polling locations in Chicago schools. Given the serious health risks this situation represents, the Chicago Teachers Union hereby demands that schools be closed on March 17, and that CPS schedules overnight deep cleaning at each school that serves as a polling place starting on March 17.
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* Hannah Meisel…
“The safety and wellbeing of employees is the top priority for the Illinois Department of Central Management Services,” spokesperson Marjani Williams said. “CMS is currently working to update the State’s Work from Home policy to ensure that all State agency functions continue working seamlessly in the event that employees can no longer report to their normal work facility.”
The Pritzker administration has been negotiating with AFSCME Council 31, which represents approximately 80,000 state workers in Illinois, regarding the state’s policies surrounding working from home and other COVID-19 responses. But asked about the status of such negotiations Wednesday, Pritzker was brief.
“We’ve had conversations with them and they’re ongoing,” the governor said.
A spokesperson for AFSCME did not return an email or call requesting comment on Wednesday.
Another large state agency — the Department of Human Services — told The Daily Line that the agency already has policies in place for working from home.
“We have a flexible work schedule, telework and sick leave policies,” DHS spokesperson Meghan Powerssaid. “We’re currently consulting with the Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois Emergency Management Agency, Illinois Central Management Services and having discussions with our public employee unions to determine if we will need to modify them in light of COVID-19.”
The feedback I’ve been receiving from state workers about their agencies has not been great. And AFSCME doesn’t even have any COVID-19 information on its website.
Your own experiences so far?
…Adding… AFSCME has now posted a COVID-19 information page. Click here.
*** UPDATE *** Anders Lindall at AFSCME…
I saw your post and wanted to add some context to all we have been doing on this issue. In addition to meeting with state agencies and CMS, we have been in discussions—dating back more than a month, in some cases—with the 200+ other employers of AFSCME members (cities, counties, school districts, universities, not-for-profit agencies and more) throughout Illinois. We have been working to develop policies that protect employees—whether they deal with the public, work in offices, the field or in 24/7 facilities such as veterans’ homes or nursing homes, residential programs for people with disabilities, prisons or jails—as well as those they serve. Obviously these needs are wide-ranging and this issue is fast-moving. At the same time we’ve made sure that local union leaders of our nearly 300 AFSCME local unions have up-to-date information, drawing on the best resources from our national union, and used social media, email and, as you noted today, our website to keep our rank-and-file membership informed.
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* The General Assembly has canceled a week of session, the statehouse is now off-limits to large crowds, the IHSA is limiting the number of event attendees, universities all over the state have extended spring breaks and are moving classes online and numerous towns have canceled their St. Patrick’s Day parades.
Meanwhile in Springfield…
The [St. Patrick’s Day] parade starts at Jefferson and Sixth streets with the traditional cannon shot and will have over 100 entries, said Shawn Mayernick of the parade board president. Its theme is “Irish Eyes Are Smiling Down.”
Parade committee members in Springfield huddled Wednesday to make everyone was on the same page, Mayernick said. A joint statement from parade organizers and the city of Springfield pointed out that “multiple activities with large crowds occur in our city each day.
“Right now, each event and venue is operating sensibly and cautiously while individuals assess their own decisions on their participation.”
It’s not just a parade. There’s a huge party before it starts.
* WICS…
Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder said the public health department will make the decision whether to start canceling events in Springfield and the city will comply if told to do so.
For now, Langfelder said it is all about hygiene and prevention.
“As far as day-to-day activities, it is stated that you should be cautious and use good hygiene,” Langfelder said. “I think people are more cautious. I know for myself, I wash my hands more frequently.”
* Illinois Times…
Shawn Mayernick, president of the parade committee, sounded confident during an interview. “We’re definitely confirmed,” he said, “We would cancel if there was lightning or tornado.”
Asked whether people older than 60 or those with health conditions — including diabetes, immune deficiencies, respiratory conditions or heart disease — that experts say increase vulnerability should attend the parade, Mayernick said he’s not an expert, but volunteer organizers care about the community. “We don’t dismiss all this stuff with health and safety,” he said. “We are a very caring and concerned group of people that enjoy getting together.”
Gail O’Neill, director of the Sangamon County Health Department, said that neither the city nor parade organizers directly consulted her before announcing the parade will go on. And she left room for cancellation – public health authorities, she said, can step in if they believe an event poses an unacceptable risk. She noted that there have been no confirmed coronavirus cases in central Illinois.
“We’re still pretty sure the parade can go on,” O’Neill said. “We don’t have any cases here yet. … It’s a decision that’s day-to-day, pretty much. It’s kind of a decision we make with our medical experts.”
How does O’Neill know there are no cases yet without any real testing?
Remember the mayor in Jaws who refused to close the beach because of a big July 4th holiday? Yeah. Don’t be that guy.
I’m told Gov. Pritzker reached out to Mayor Langfelder today. Hopefully, the governor talked some sense into him.
(Headline explained here.)
*** UPDATE *** Looks like the governor succeeded…
…Adding… Maybe the governor’s next call should be to the mayor of Plainfield…
The Chicago and South Side Irish Parades may be cancelled over coronavirus concerns, but a local organizer said the Plainfield Hometown Irish Parade is still set to go on as planned.
“As of right now, it’s [not cancelled],” lead parade organizer Jessica said. “The mayor spoke with police this morning, and decided they would go forward with it.”
*Facepalm*
You don’t call the police about a public health question. Sheesh, some people are so dumb.
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Cancellation roundup
Thursday, Mar 12, 2020 - Posted by Rich Miller
* The Southern…
As a precautionary measure to contain the spread of COVID-19, Southern Illinois University Carbondale is extending spring break for students through March 22, and classes will be offered online or in other alternative formats until further notice, according to SIU Chancellor John Dunn.
Students were expected back on campus this coming Monday, but instead, classes will resume on March 23 in order to “give faculty time to convert courses for delivery in alternative formats,” Dunn wrote in a letter to the campus community on Wednesday.
The letter is here.
* Tribune…
Loyola University announced Thursday it is suspending all “in-person, face-to-face classes” through the end of the semester and will close all its residence halls next week, joining several other colleges in Illinois that are taking similar measures to contain the coronavirus.
While the campus will remain open, “all university-sponsored events with participation greater than 70 people are prohibited,” the university said in a statement. It added that no decision has been made yet about commencement activities. […]
CME Group is closing its Chicago trading floor after Friday’s session as a precaution to prevent the spread of coronavirus. […]
U. of C. joins Northwestern, Illinois State, U. of I. in moving classes online after spring break, DePaul makes changes in latest attempts to contain coronavirus
More here and a running list of Chicago-area closures is here.
* Press release…
The Illinois High School Association (IHSA) announced on March 12, 2020 that it will significantly limit attendance at the remaining games in the 2020 IHSA Boys Basketball State Series, as well as at other IHSA events, to preemptively reduce the potential spread of COVID-19.
The decision comes after consultation with the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Peoria City/County Health Department, the latter of whom made the recommendation that no more than 60 spectators per school be allowed in the arena for each contest at this weekend’s Class 1A and Class 2A Boys Basketball State Finals. The IHSA currently plans to invoke the 60-spectator per school limitation across all remaining basketball games this season. Competing schools will be provided a protocol for determining who receives tickets.
More detailed info is here.
* Feder…
The coronavirus story became personal for multiple media organizations Wednesday after an unidentified employee of the Prudential Building tested positive for COVID-19. The two-tower downtown complex houses Tribune Publishing (including the Chicago Tribune), Hubbard Radio Chicago and Entercom Chicago, all of which encouraged employees to work from home if possible. Elsewhere a growing number of Chicago area journalists also began working remotely, including much of the staff of Crain’s Chicago Business. As a precautionary test on Thursday, virtually the entire editorial department of the Sun-Times will remain off site too. “Let’s be clear: This is a trial run,” the Sun-Times wrote in an editorial. “We have seen no evidence of COVID-19 in our newsroom or in the places we send reporters.”
The editorial is here.
* WICS…
Senior Services of Central Illinois is temporarily suspending all gathering activities and congregate meals due to COVID-19 risks.
This includes congregate meals, programs & activities, the Aging Mastery Program, and some transportation services at locations including Springfield Senior Center, Chatham, and Athens.
No formal statewide announcement has been made, but it looks like several senior centers are closing.
Sadly, this post will be updated.
…Adding… From the Illinois Department on Aging…
Please be advised, effective immediately, the Illinois Department on Aging is requesting all Area Agencies on Aging to suspend all gathering activities placing our older adults at heightened risk including the provision of congregate meals and social activities conducted in group settings. Meals will still be available on a daily basis. Clients will be notified by providers or staff to an immediate alternative to the suspension of congregate dining such as box lunch service, pick-up option or home-delivered meals. During this temporary suspension, healthy adults are encouraged to check on their older neighbors. For more information on how to protect yourself and your loved ones, please contact Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) or visit our website at www.illinois.gov/aging.
…Adding… NIU…
Spring Break has been extended. NIU is extending Spring Break for students through Sunday, March 22. During this additional week, NIU faculty will work to develop alternate modes of course delivery, as appropriate, to replace face-to-face instruction. We understand that this could be especially challenging for different programs, including those at the graduate level, that require doing clinicals, student-teaching, lab work, artistry, etc. We are prepared to accommodate our students and to find effective and appropriate alternatives.
During the extended Spring Break period, NIU will identify ways that we can offer access to academic support services and continue to provide childcare and health services.
Modified courses (replacing face-to-face instruction) will begin March 23, and run for a period of two weeks through Saturday, April 4. Our goal is to return to face-to-face instruction Monday, April 6. However, if warranted by evolving conditions, we will extend beyond that date and communicate that decision in a timely manner.
…Adding… Expected…
The Big Ten Conference has canceled its men’s basketball tournament, which was scheduled to continue at noon on Thursday.
* Sun-Times…
Two more events have withdrawn from McCormick Place, bringing its roll call of cancellations to six as organizers skip large gatherings because of the coronavirus.
The National School Boards Association scrapped its 2020 convention, scheduled for April 4-6. Salesforce said it is converting its Connections 2020 event, scheduled for May 4-6, to a virtual setting.
* WIU…
Residence Halls
Residence halls will re-open at 10 a.m. Sunday, March 15 as originally scheduled; however, students may choose to remain in their permanent residences until further notice. If students choose to return to their respective residence halls, they must check in via their STARS account when they arrive on campus. Dining services will be available.
University Operations & Faculty/Staff
While classes are canceled next week, the University remains open for regular business. All faculty and staff will resume their normal work schedule the week of March 15. Student employees and graduate assistants should consult with their respective supervisors. Employees and students who feel ill should stay home and contact their health care provider.
University Events
All events on either campus with more than 50 participants that are scheduled between now and April 3, 2020 should be canceled, unless deemed as essential for University operations. We have implemented a mandatory event registration form, which will remain in effect for the remainder of the semester, which can be found at bit.ly/WIUEventRegistration2020.
* Press release…
The Central Illinois Chapter of the American Society for Public Administration has canceled the Rail Splitter Award Banquet and Award Ceremony scheduled for Monday, March 16th at the UIS Student Union Ballroom in response to the COVID-19 threat. The awards ceremony will be rescheduled for a future date to recognize recipient Dr. David Racine.
* SJ-R…
Democratic congressional candidate Betsy Dirksen Londrigan’s campaign said she has canceled a planned election night gathering that was to begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday. Londrigan is running against Stefanie Smith of Urbana in the Democratic primary for the U.S. House in the 13th Congressional District. The event was to be at Café Moxo downtown Springfield.
* EIU…
· Eastern Illinois University will extend its spring break for students through March 29. No classes will be held during this time.
· Students will have the option of studying remotely from their campus residence or from home after spring break.
· The University and all of its offices will remain open during this time period and will remain open moving forward.
· To the greatest extent possible, when university courses resume March 30, classes will be delivered through online instruction and/or other alternative instructional methods. Online and other alternative learning methods will replace traditional face-to-face instruction and continue until further notice. We understand that some classes will be much more difficult to deliver online and in different formats. We continue to explore different approaches for completing these courses and faculty will communicate with their classes via email during the week of March 23rd. […]
· Residence halls and Greek Court will close throughout the duration of the previously scheduled Spring Break, though students may return on March 23. In short, all residence halls and on-campus dining will be available to all enrolled students with housing and dining contracts.
* NEIU…
SPRING BREAK
The University’s Spring Break, which is scheduled to start on Monday, will be extended a second week through March 29. Faculty, staff and administrators should continue their normal work schedule during these two weeks. Also during this time, faculty will develop alternate modes of course delivery, as appropriate, to replace face-to-face instruction. At the current time, the University has no plans to close.
EVENTS
Effective immediately, all events that are scheduled to take place this semester at the University with 50 or more anticipated people are canceled until further notice. This includes today’s Diversity Food Fest that was scheduled to take place this afternoon in Alumni Hall. It is too soon for us to know how we will handle Commencement in May.
* Expected…
Illinois Gun Owner Lobby Day has been postponed.
The Illinois State Rifle Association said it plans to reschedule the April 1 I-GOLD event to May 13.
* Sen. Sara Feigenholtz…
In an effort to take precautions related to the COVID-19 outbreak, we are cancelling the Saturday, March 14, 2020, REAL ID Info Session + Mobile ID event. It is our intention to reschedule this event in the future.
* Illinois Board of Higher Education…
Out of an abundance of caution regarding matters pertaining to COVID-19, we are cancelling the March board meeting. Details on a rescheduled meeting date will be posted on the IBHE website at www.ibhe.org when they become available.
* Sun-Times…
Former Grateful Dead singer and guitarist Bob Weir has postponed tonight’s concert at the Chicago Theatre with his band Wolf Bros.
* Illinois State Museum…
All ISM programs, events, and school group visits are canceled through April 10;
All official ISM travel is canceled through April 10;
* Sen. Richard Durbin…
In an effort to minimize health risks to him, you and others, we have canceled all of Senator Dick Durbin’s major public events, including his fundraising events. We hope to reschedule them in the near future and will keep you posted.
* Illinois Mathematics and Science Academy…
I am writing to inform you that after the Residence Halls close at 5:00 p.m. on Friday, March 13 and students enjoy their spring break, the IMSA campus will continue to be closed through extended weekend April 13. Spring break will be extended through March 25 and online classes will commence on Thursday, March 26 and will continue until the Halls reopen at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, April 13. Additionally, we are cancelling all events during this closure period. Students should stay at their permanent home. Onsite teaching is expected to resume April 14. However, the outbreak is evolving and this information may change rapidly as warranted.
Students will not be permitted to return to campus during this closure period. Please prepare for this extended time away from campus by bringing home essential personal belongings and items necessary to complete coursework remotely. We will also be sending medication home with students when they depart campus. We will share more information about the remote learning format and expectations via email within the next week.
* The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is closing on Friday.
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