* Mayor Lightfoot went well beyond state rules and strictly limited indoor dining until late September. And now…
Mayor Lori Lightfoot pushed back late Tuesday on Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s order to suspend indoor dining and drinking in Chicago to stop a dramatic surge in coronavirus cases, the latest sign of a serious split between the officials leading the effort to stem the pandemic.
“Communication is the key to navigating through this crisis,” Lightfoot said in a statement to reporters. “We will continue our efforts to engage with the governor and his team to better understand their metrics so that we can forge targeted solutions to address the public health challenges here in Chicago and across the state.”
During an interview Tuesday evening on the “PBS NewsHour,” Lightfoot said she had asked Pritzker to reverse his order.
“If the governor’s order goes into effect, it’s shutting down a significant portion of our economy at a time when those same businesses are hanging on by a thread,” Lightfoot said.
But a clearly angry source close to the governor pushed back on the assertion that Lightfoot was blindsided…
The governor and the mayor were supposed to speak on Monday, but the mayor didn’t call the governor. Staff were briefed on the metrics.
Not to mention that all anyone had to do was look at the numbers and it was pretty crystal clear what was about to happen for days in advance.
Lightfoot immediately pushed back on that assertion.
“The mayor reached out on Monday to the governor” to schedule a meeting to talk about COVID and the state’s plans, said spokeswoman Jordan Troy. “The governor was traveling, so they didn’t talk but to accommodate the governor’s schedule a meeting was set for tomorrow (Wednesday). ” As a result, “There was no need for another talk.”
Team Pritzker is sticking with its story that Lightfoot was the one who was supposed to have called to finalize a time to talk. “The governor has been publicly warning for days about Chicago’s troubling numbers,” said the senior Pritzker aide.
…Adding… Hannah makes a very valid point…
The metrics have been the metrics since they were released on July 15. Tier I mitigations were tightened to include closing indoor dining/bar service on August 24. So these have been the mitigations for more than two months, and the metrics have been the metrics for >3 months. https://t.co/5ra6oBGxjT
Governor JB Pritzker and IDPH announced updated guidance for youth and adult recreational sports, including, but not limited to, school-based sports, travel clubs, private leagues and clubs, recreational leagues and centers, and park district sports programs. Collegiate sports and professional leagues are not impacted by these restrictions. The updated guidance was developed by the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) in conjunction with public health experts from around the state and nation and reflects the high levels of risk associated with contact sports played indoors. The guidance also accounts for new research related to COVID-19 and sports, sports related outbreaks in other states, and the fact that the second wave of the pandemic is now well underway in all regions of Illinois.
“We can’t ignore what is happening around us – because without action, this could look worse than anything we saw in the spring.” said Governor JB Pritzker. “It’s with that in mind that today, my administration is releasing our updated guidance for youth and adult recreational sports in Illinois ahead of the winter season. As with sports in the fall, nothing is ‘cancelled,’ just put on hold until we’re through the thick of this pandemic. We adapt as we learn. That has been our mantra throughout this pandemic, and as is true in every other facet of life, we know this virus is of most concern when people are indoors with high contact, especially in vigorous situations that bring about heavy breathing – like in wrestling, hockey and basketball. Life in a pandemic is hard for everyone, and it’s hard for all of our kids, whether or not they play sports. That doesn’t make it any easier – but we really are all in this together.”
The youth sports guidance puts sports into three risk levels, lower, medium, or higher, based on the amount of contact between athletes and their proximity during play. The guidance sets four levels of play allowed based on current public health conditions. In all levels, some form of play is allowed ranging from practice and trainings in level 1 to tournaments and conference play in level 4.
In level 1, only no-contact practices and training are allowed.
In level 2, intra-team scrimmages are allowed with parental consent for minors but there can be no competitive play.
In level 3 intra-conference, intra-EMS-region or intra-league play is allowed and there may be state- or league-championship games allowed for low-risk sports only.
In level 4, tournaments, out-of-conference/league play, and out-of-state play are allowed. Championship games would also be allowed in level 4.
Based on current conditions, lower risk sports can be played at levels 1, 2, and 3. Medium risk sports can be played at levels 1 and 2, and higher risk sports can be played at level 1.
The updated guidance moves basketball from medium risk to high risk due to the close contact of players and indoor play. Wrestling and hockey continue to be categorized as high risk as well. Cheer and dance will be categorized as lower risk, only if masking and distance are enforced. Low risk sports like bowling, gymnastics, swimming and diving will be permitted to play during winter.
“The science, as we know it right now, applies in all situations,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “The more people you are in contact with, the longer you are together, and the closer you are together, the greater your risk of getting COVID-19. Being face to face with another person for a basketball or football game puts players at higher risk of getting and spreading the virus. Right now, cases across Illinois and the country are increasing.”
Similar to other guidance, sports organizations should make temperature checks available and participants and coaches should monitor for symptoms of COVID-19 and should not participate if they are experiencing illness. If multiple individuals have symptoms or test positive, coaches or organizations should alert their local health department. Sports organizers or coaches also must maintain attendance logs of participants for contact tracing purposes. Masks should be worn by everyone in attendance. Spectator limits should follow mitigation occupancy limits in each region. For Tier One mitigation that limits spectators to 25 people or less. For Tier Two mitigations no spectators should be allowed.
Athletic equipment such as bats and hockey sticks should be cleaned between each use. Other equipment, including personal gear such as hockey, football, lacrosse, or other sports using helmets, pads, or gloves should only be used by one person and not shared. Coaches should limit access to locker rooms as much as possible.
Illinois first issued guidelines for youth and recreational sports in late May when every region in the state advanced to Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan, marked by return to work, the reopening of retail as well as the return of specific recreational activities. The latest guidelines make adjustments to temporarily halt competitive play for most higher to medium-risk sports pending further health progress, as well as to provide additional clarity on capacity limits and high school sports.
The city could soon face more restrictions, including the banning of indoor dining and drinking, to try to rein in the coronavirus surge here.
Starting Wednesday, six of Illinois’ 11 regions, including the suburbs in Cook County, will be under what Gov. JB Pritzker has dubbed “enhanced mitigations.” The mitigations include stopping indoor service, limiting gathering sizes and putting an 11 p.m. curfew on bars and restaurants.
Chicago, where cases and the positivity rate have skyrocketed in recent weeks, is well on its way to tripping the same metrics that will lead to those stricter rules.
Officials will take action if they see an increase in a region’s seven-day average positivity rate for seven days out of 10, as well as one of these indicators:
A seven-day increase in hospital admissions for a coronavirus-like illness.
A reduction in hospital capacity that would threaten the area’s surge capabilities
Three consecutive days where a region averaged a positivity rate of 8 percent or higher.
According to IDPH, the city has now reached the seven-day increase in hospital admissions mark. Daily hospital admissions for coronavirus-like illness increased by 43 percent in that week.
In suburban Cook, daily hospital admissions for coronavirus-like illness increased by 58 percent in a week. That is not a trend anyone wants.
* Meanwhile…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported 4,000 new confirmed cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 46 additional deaths.
- Adams County: 1 female 70s
- Carroll County: 1 male 90s
- Clinton County: 1male 60s, 1 male 80s
- Coles County: 1 female 90s
- Cook County: 1 male 60s, 2 females 70s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 80s, 1 female 90s
- DuPage County: 1 female 60s, 1 female 80s
- Jefferson County: 1 female 90s
- Jo Daviess County: 2 females 90s
- Kane County: 1 male 80s
- Knox County: 1 female 70s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
- LaSalle County: 2 female 80s
- Macon County: 1 female 70s
- Madison County: 1 female 80s
- Mason County: 1 female 70s, 1 male 70s, 1 female 90s, 1 male 90s
- McLean County: 1 male 60s, 1 female 90s
- Moultrie County: 1 female 50s
- Pike County: 1 female 70s
- Richland County: 2 females 90s
- Rock Island County: 1 female 80s, 1 male 80s
- St. Clair County: 1 male 70s
- Vermilion County: 1 male 70s
- Warren County: 1 male 60s
- Wayne County: 1 male 90s
- Whiteside County: 1 female 80s
- Will County: 1 female 70s, 1 male 80s
- Williamson County: 1 female 60s, 1 female 80s
- Woodford County: 1 male 90s
Currently, IDPH is reporting a total of 382,985 cases, including 9,568 deaths, in 102 counties in Illinois. The age of cases ranges from younger than one to older than 100 years. The preliminary seven-day statewide positivity for cases as a percent of total test from October 20 – October 26 is 6.4%. Within the past 24 hours, laboratories have reported 62,074 specimens for a total 7,388,290. As of last night, 2,758 people in Illinois were reported to be in the hospital with COVID-19. Of those, 595 patients were in the ICU and 241 patients with COVID-19 were on ventilators.
*All data are provisional and will change. In order to rapidly report COVID-19 information to the public, data are being reported in real-time. Information is constantly being entered into an electronic system and the number of cases and deaths can change as additional information is gathered. For health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov.
*** UPDATE 1 *** As noted by a commenter, Region 3, which includes Springfield, just hit an average 8 percent positivity rate. Two more days in a row of this will trigger mitigation.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Region 10 is suburban Cook County. From IDPH…
Kane County judge Kevin Busch on Monday granted a temporary restraining order to prevent Gov. JB Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Kane County Health Department from enforcing an indoor dining ban at FoxFire restaurant in Geneva. […]
“There is no question that a person’s ability to pursue their calling, to earn a living and to run a business is a protectable right under both the federal and state constitution and is inherent in everyone’s natural right to liberty,” Busch said, in issuing his opinion. “The state’s ability to deprive people of their life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness is tempered by due process.” […]
Busch agreed with the suit’s contention that Pritzker exceeded the 30-day emergency powers granted to him. In March, he issued a disaster proclamation because of COVID-19. […]
“The crowds at our local food stores are much greater than the crowds that can, and I expect do, populate our local restaurants, including FoxFire,” he said. “I note that in our community that every one of the big box stores is open. And again, the crowds that populate these stores are significantly greater than the crowds that populate are local restaurants, including those like FoxFire. And the court cannot turn a blind eye to these facts. If there was such a compelling public need to shut down businesses for public health, then how did we pick the winners and losers?”
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, dining at bars and restaurants is closely linked to the spread of the virus in many communities. Adults who tested positive for the virus were approximately twice as likely to have reported dining at a restaurant than those with negative test results, according to a CDC study published in September. Experts now believe the coronavirus is airborne, and tiny droplets containing the virus can linger indoors for hours as aerosols, making indoor dining especially risky since diners can’t wear masks while eating.
* Maybe if the state had been allowed to brief the case, the judge would’ve had some answers. From the governor’s office…
The administration is disappointed the court has ruled against public health protections that keep people safe. This decision was made without briefing and is contrary to how many other Illinois state and federal courts have ruled on this matter. Positivity rates and hospitalizations are rising across the state; this public health crisis is not over. The administration will review the court’s order and determine the appropriate next steps.
From the attorney general’s office…
With 9,522 lives lost and half the counties in Illinois now at the Illinois Department of Public Health’s warning level, the need for these lifesaving measures could not be more evident. As we have argued successfully in other Illinois courts that have considered these issues, the governor’s constitutional and statutory authority to protect Illinois residents during the pandemic is clear. We are committed to continuing to defend the well-reasoned measures being implemented to mitigate the spread of COVID-19 throughout Illinois, particularly as the numbers of positive cases and hospitalizations once again increase.
(T)he [Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act] does not authorize Gov. Pritzker to declare a “disaster” to manage an existing “disaster” for an additional thirty (30) days, and certainly not ad nauseum.
“The state has argued that there’s nothing in the Emergency Management Act that suggests that the governor couldn’t issue then successive proclamations,” Busch said. “And while that is certainly true, there’s nothing in the act that suggests he can.”
* From an Illinois Supreme Court order issued today…
Illinois has been in a state of emergency since Governor Pritzker’s declaration on March 9, 2020, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, necessitating temporary court-imposed restrictions to minimize the impact of COVID-19 on the court system, while continuing to provide access to justice.
That could be a pretty good hint at where the high court is going here.
*** UPDATE 2 *** The attorney general’s office has asked 2nd Appellate District to hear its appeal of the TRO. Click here. The AG also filed this document with Judge Busch. Worth a read.
“The indoor-dining issue is a joke,” said Jon Roderick, owner of Jerry’s Cafeteria in Granite City, on Friday. “Whenever they want to get really serious about this, they’ll close Walmart. … More people go through Walmart in an hour than go through my restaurant in a day. It’s a far more dangerous place.”
People don’t normally spend a couple of hours in Walmart without masks on their faces talking to others across from them and/or next to them at their tables.
DeVore also maintains that the Pritzker administration doesn’t have the authority to revoke liquor licenses over indoor dining and accused him of using intimidation tactics that “border on criminality.”
“The license holder has to be violating the (Illinois Liquor Control Act) or a local liquor ordinance or something,” DeVore said. “There is no authority to take someone’s liquor license because they’re not following his executive order. It’s impossible. The governor’s lying.”
For the umpteenth time, the governor’s EOs are authorized under the Illinois Emergency Management Act, a law that goes back decades. Among his many statutory emergency powers…
(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. […]
(9) To suspend or limit the sale, dispensing, or transportation of alcoholic beverages, firearms, explosives, and combustibles.
On Saturday, Ives posted a video in front of Ki’s, a restaurant in Glendale Heights defying Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s new indoor dining ban, imposed in the wake of rising infections in DuPage. Ives said businesses following health guidelines should not be subject to “arbitrary” rules. Most area deaths came from “long-term care facilities,” not restaurants, she said.
As we’ve discussed before, the virus just doesn’t pop up in congregate facilities. It has to come in from somewhere. And a big “somewhere” is restaurants and bars.
* Meanwhile, Sam Toia at the Illinois Restaurant Association was on WGN Radio the other day…
We do need a stimulus bill. We need the Restaurant Act passed. That was a part of the Heroes Act that was passed out of the United States House. Within it was $120 billion in grants to independent restaurants. In Chicago, we’re A very independent restaurants city, we’re not like Tampa or Houston, a chain restaurant town. So it’s very important that we pass a stimulus bill for the restaurant industry, like we’ve done in the past for the airlines, for the banking industry for the auto industry. You know, we are the largest private sector employer here in the state of Illinois. We began the year with over 594,000 people working in the restaurant, food service industry, with over 25,000 restaurants. The National Restaurant Association predicts that 20% of the restaurants could close. That’s 5,000 restaurants and over 120,000 jobs. That’s why we need the United States federal government to stop with the stimulus bill for the restaurants.
I think you’re more likely to get the Coronavirus in one of your friend’s basement than you are in a gathering and a personal gathering, than you are in one of our restaurants here throughout the state of Illinois. Now, we always say, I want to make sure I go on and say that we do not, the IRA the Illinois Restaurant Association, we do not advocate for operatives to disobey the governor’s executive order, even though we cannot support the mitigation measure, but we do not want them to, like I said, disobey the governor’s executive order. […]
We’re trying to talk to the governor and his team, saying ‘Can’t we go to 25 percent capacity? Do we have to go to zero percent capacity?’ And we agree that people should not be standing at the bar, we think that diners should be in their seats. And when they’re in their seats, they’re wearing their mask. When the waitperson comes, they’re wearing their mask. And then the food comes, you take your mask off. And then when a person comes back, you put your mask on, cover faces, keep open places, social distancing. We get that, we just need to work together. But we agree that people should not be standing around a restaurant bar. Diners should be in seats with their faces covered 100%, but not close down 100% you know, at least go to 25%.
If it was that easy, there would be no problems with a spiking virus right now. The fact is that way too many restaurant owners are ignoring public health requirements. And they’re only emphasizing this failure to do their part by thumbing their noses at the new mitigations while their local positivity rates skyrocket. From a suburban Republican buddy…
You drive around here and restaurants have signs up that they are staying open. It’s bizarre and unsettling from both a health and rule of law perspective. Hope it changes.
…Adding… From comments…
One thing I keep seeing on Facebook is people complaining that because most of the current transmission is in private residences, bars and restaurants shouldn’t be tamped down. Well, guess what…today’s heavy caseload from residential spread is tomorrow’s restaurant superspreading event.
The state’s top medical officer wept during a coronavirus briefing Friday as deaths and hospitalizations continue to climb throughout Illinois.
Dr. Ngozi Ezike, head of the Illinois Department of Public Health, has unwaveringly guided Illinois through the COVID-19 crisis for months. But the doctor broke down during an emotional briefing where she pleaded for Illinoisans to wear masks and social distance so they can save lives — and stop health care workers from being overwhelmed by seeing more patients die.
Ezike noted at the start of the briefing she is not immune to “COVID fatigue” and has felt and lived the pain and tragedy of life during the pandemic. But cases, hospitalizations and deaths from COVID-19 are all rising, she said, before noting the most recent statistics.
“Since yesterday, we lost an additional 31 lives for a total of 9,418 deaths. These are people who started with us in 2020 and won’t be with us at the Thanksgiving table.” She paused for a moment and continued, “Today, we are reporting 3,874 new cases, for a total of 364,033 confirmed cases since the start of this pandemic.”
“I’ve never run a marathon, but I have the utmost regard for those who’ve been able to train and plan and finish a marathon. But this is a difficult race when you can’t actually see the endpoint, and I’m sorry that that’s the message I have for you,” Ezike said.
“Nevertheless, I’m asking you to fight the fatigue,” she added. “Fight the urge to give up on social distancing. Fight for your kids to have safe, healthy opportunity to have in-person learning in school with teachers who were trained to teach them in the classroom. Fight to have safe, healthy environments in which we can work so that businesses can remain open so that our economies can start to thrive again. This does mean wearing your mask.” […]
She said the decisions of those who attend unmasked gatherings promote the spread of the virus which can then find its way to more vulnerable populations. She urged those attending unmasked gatherings to “think beyond themselves” and consider who they may unknowingly infect, especially if they have the virus but are not showing symptoms.
“All these people who work with the public on a regular basis – you cannot work from home as a bus driver,” Ezike said. “And so these people have to go to work every day as the disease is increasing throughout the state. And they’re the ones that will be dying.”
Her high position does not keep her in “some Covid free bubble exempt from all the pain and the tragedy of this pandemic,” Ezike said.
“So I understand how pandemic fatigue is striking everyone,” she added. “It’s real. People are tired of not seeing their families. They’re tired of postponing the weddings and the other life celebrations. Trying to work from home while also trying to manage kids learning … remotely is a challenge.
“Not being able to visit your loved ones in long-term care and nursing homes, not being able to gather with groups of friends for a night out in your favorite restaurant is getting to be a lot to bear. The way we work, the way we live, the way we play has all changed and the harsh reality is that the sacrifices we’ve made — and that we continue to make — do not have a future expiration date.”
Some people will refute the statistics, Ezike said. But the reality is that coronavirus cases, hospitalizations and deaths are surging again.
“The way we work, the way we live, the way we play have all changed,” IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said, “and the harsh reality is that the sacrifices we’ve made and that we continue to make do not have a future expiration date.” […]
Since the pandemic began, Illinois has recorded 364,033 confirmed cases and 9,418 deaths.
“These are people who started with us in 2020 and won’t be with us at the Thanksgiving table,” Ezike said.
* Video…
In an emotional briefing, Illinois' top health official teared up while she delivered the latest COVID-19 numbers for the state and urged residents not to get complacent in fighting the virus. https://t.co/U7tCzwcCKtpic.twitter.com/fjtSPPFyxy
In an interview with NBC Nightly News over the weekend, Ezike said she’s received hundreds of email since the news conference, and that “it sounds like everyone needed to have that release together.” […]
“It’s incited some feelings, some PTSD-type feeling as we think about starting round two, just remembering how difficult round one [was],” she said.
Ezike is not exempt from COVID-19 as she has lost relatives from the virus and takes it personally when she hears of business owners blatantly defying the state’s rules and residents refusing to wear masks.
“There are no good decisions, but who wants to be in a situation like that,” she said. […]
“We need to take those tears and turn it into action,” she said. “We need to wear our masks, maintain our distance, get our flu shots. We can be sad, but we can still fight.”
*** UPDATE *** From today…
Ezike on her tears Friday: "I just got overwhelmed. A combination of a lot of months of frustration and maybe some fear and some discouragement at the route and the road that we've taken, despite some opportunities and chances to do better. … https://t.co/cst7MpKXo8
State COVID-19 restrictions, including the closure of indoor service at bars and restaurants, are likely to return to the Metro East this week, leaving restaurant owners scrambling to find a way to stay open as the weather cools.
The region on Sunday hit three consecutive days with a COVID-19 test positivity rate above 8%, which automatically prompts additional restrictions from the Illinois Department of Public Health, according to the state pandemic plan.
The state had not made an official announcement Sunday, but county officials expect restrictions to begin Wednesday, Bryan Whitaker, assistant director of St. Clair County Emergency Management Agency, said in a briefing Sunday.
The new measures will include closure of all indoor dining and an 11 p.m. curfew for bars and restaurants. Outdoor diners will be required to make a reservation and social gatherings will be capped at 25 people or 25% of a room’s capacity, whichever is less, according to the state plan.
The Metro East region, which includes St. Clair, Madison, Monroe, Clinton, Bond, Washington and Randolph counties, has faced targeted restrictions twice before. The area was the first of the state’s 11 regions to have state restrictions added, on Aug. 18, prompted by its positivity rate, and then again on Sept. 2.
…Adding… Press release…
Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) are announcing COVID-19 resurgence mitigations will be implemented in Regions 4 and 10, which encompass Metro East and Suburban Cook County respectively, beginning at 12:01 am on Wednesday, October 28, 2020. Region 4 has had a 7-day rolling average test positivity rate of 8 percent or above for three consecutive days. Region 10 has had eight consecutive days of increases in test positivity and seven days of increased hospital admissions making it the first region in the state to meet the metrics for additional mitigations in this way and surpass warning levels in two categories simultaneously. The sustained increases seen in the regions exceed the thresholds set for establishing mitigation measures under the state’s Restore Illinois Resurgence Plan.
The administration continues to work aggressively to support small businesses impacted by the ongoing pandemic, distributing $7.5 million and $14.8 million respectively in emergency grants and assistance to businesses and communities in Regions 4 and 10 alone. Businesses in the regions will also receive priority consideration for the current round of Business Interruption Grants as a result of the additional mitigations.
“Over the weekend, two more regions – Region 4, Metro East, as well as Region 10, Suburban Cook County – triggered our metrics for additional mitigations, meaning that, starting Wednesday, 6 of our 11 regions will be operating under our resurgence framework,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Much like the four areas already operating under Tier One or Tier Two of the plan – Northwestern Illinois, Southern Illinois, and Will, Kankakee, DuPage and Kane Counties – Region 4 triggered our 8 percent positivity average threshold, the second time it has done so since mid-summer. Region 10, on the other hand, is the first region in Illinois to earn additional mitigations not because of its positivity rate alone, but because its positivity rate and its COVID-related hospitalizations have both seen a sustained increase over the last 10 days.”
“We are seeing test positivity across the state increase, but for Region 10, Suburban Cook County, we are also seeing a steady increase in hospitalizations for COVID-like illness,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “At the beginning of the pandemic, we were concerned about overwhelming our hospitals and we must take action now to prevent that possibility. We are entering flu season and our hospitals are facing both COVID-19 and flu admissions. The same things that can help prevent the spread of COVID-19 will help prevent the spread of flu. Please, wash your hands, watch your distance, and wear your mask. And make sure to get your flu shot.”
Mitigation measures taking effect October 28 in Regions 4 and 10 include:
Bars
No indoor service
All outside bar service closes at 11:00 p.m.
All bar patrons should be seated at tables outside
No ordering, seating, or congregating at bar (bar stools should be removed)
Tables should be 6 feet apart
No standing or congregating indoors or outdoors while waiting for a table or exiting
No dancing or standing indoors
Reservations required for each party
No seating of multiple parties at one table
Restaurants
No indoor dining or bar service
All outdoor dining closes at 11:00 p.m.
Outside dining tables should be 6 feet apart
No standing or congregating indoors or outdoors while waiting for a table or exiting
Reservations required for each party
No seating of multiple parties at one table
Meetings, Social Events, Gatherings
Limit to lesser of 25 guests or 25 percent of overall room capacity
No party buses
Gaming and Casinos close at 11:00 p.m., are limited to 25 percent capacity, and follow mitigations for bars and restaurants, if applicable
These mitigations do not currently apply to schools.
Support for small businesses has been one of the central features of the Pritzker administration’s COVID-19 response. Since March, the administration has launched a menu of small business and community relief programs – with over $500 million in grants and programs launched by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO), including emergency hospitality grants, a downstate small business stabilization program, Fast Track Capital, and more.
DCEO is also actively processing reimbursements for local governments impacted by COVID-19 via the state’s local CURES program. All eligible governments in Regions 4 and 10 can submit their certification to the department and begin submitting reimbursement requests. For more information on programs available for businesses and communities, please visit DCEO’s website.
In the coming days, IDPH will continue to track the positivity rate in both regions to determine if mitigations can be relaxed, if additional mitigations are required, or if current mitigations should remain in place. If the positivity rate in Region 4 averages less than or equal to 6.5% for three consecutive days, then the region will return to Phase 4 mitigations under the Restore Illinois Plan. If the positivity rate averages between 6.5% and 8%, the new mitigations will remain in place and unchanged. If the positivity rate averages greater than or equal to 8% after 14 days, more stringent mitigations can be applied to further reduce spread of the virus.
If the positivity rate in Region 10 averages less than or equal to 6.5% over a three-day period, there is a decrease in hospital admissions for COVID-19 like illness over a three-day period, and the three-day rolling averages of ICU bed availability and medical/surgical bed availability is greater than or equal to 20% over a seven-day period, the region will return to Phase 4 mitigations under the Restore Illinois Plan. Conversely, if the average positivity rate continues to increase over seven out of 10 days and the hospital admissions for COVID-19 like illness continues to increase over seven out of 10 days, more stringent mitigations can be applied. If the metrics remain stable, the region will continue to be monitored.
Currently four of the state’s 11 regions have positivity rates above the public health department’s 8% threshold for resurgence mitigations. Regions 5, 7, and 8 are currently operating under additional mitigations as the regions continue to report a 7-day rolling positivity rate above 8%. Region 1 is currently operating under Tier 2 mitigation measures after experiencing reporting a positivity rate greater than 8% for 14 days despite Tier 1 mitigation measures being in place.
As part of the administration’s robust response to the pandemic, the state continues to strengthen its nation-leading testing operation. Illinois is averaging more than three times the testing than the average state. Testing is readily available throughout the state, and the vast majority of test results are returned within an actionable period. Moving forward, testing remains a critical step to reduce the spread of the virus, given that a positive test result begins the contact tracing process and can prevent further spread in communities.
In addition to testing, IDPH continues to monitor each region in the state for several key indicators to identify early, but significant increases of COVID-19 transmission in Illinois, potentially signifying resurgence. Indictors include an increase in the region’s positivity rate with a simultaneous increase in either hospital admissions for COVID-like-illness or a decrease in hospital capacity, or three consecutive days of greater than or equal to 8% test positivity rate (7-day rolling average). These indicators can be used to determine whether additional community mitigation interventions are needed for a region to prevent the further spread of COVID-19.
A full list of mitigation measures pertaining to some businesses and industries may be found on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) website at www.dceocovid19resources.com/restore-illinois.
The owners of FoxFire restaurant in Geneva are suing Gov. JB Pritzker over his ban on indoor service at restaurants and bars because of a rising number of COVID-19 infections.
The ban took effect Friday in Kane and DuPage counties as well as in Will and Kankakee counties. An emergency petition, filed in Kane County on Friday, asks a judge to issue a temporary restraining order to prevent Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Kane County Health Department from enforcing the ban without a court hearing. […]
In addition to filing the emergency petition, FoxFire on Friday also filed a suit against Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Public Health and the Kane County Health Department. The suit states that Pritzker has exceeded the emergency powers that were given to him.
Kane County’s seven-day rolling average positivity rate on Sunday was 11.5 percent. Region 8’s hospital bed capacity is down to 25 percent after 8 straight days of admission increases.
*** UPDATE *** The complaint is here. They’re using the ol’ “He only gets one 30-day emergency declaration” gambit that has failed in every county but one. The emergency TRO petition is here.
Voter Fraud Alert!
ILGOP Handing Out Voter Fraud Alert Fliers in DuPage County
WATCH: Video of Electronic Voting Machine “Glitch”
The Illinois Republican Party has learned of potential voter fraud in DuPage County that has been occurring for more than a week.
Several voters have reported that while reading the questions on the screen of the electronic voting machines at early voting locations in DuPage County, after 10 seconds, the machine will automatically highlight Mike Madigan endorsed candidates and the Tax Hike Amendment in red.
“This is an outrageous abuse of our voting system and must be quickly remedied. Speaker Madigan and the Democrats will stop at nothing to enact higher taxes on our middle class families and retirees,” said Tim Schneider, ILGOP Chairman. “Illinois GOP volunteers will be handing out fliers in DuPage County to voters alerting them of this clear abuse of our election system.”
“This serious issue needs to be immediately corrected before it further impacts the election. We continue to see more and more proof as to just how far Democrats are willing to go to rig this election,” said House Republican Leader Jim Durkin.
Good grief. This is happening on every voting touch screen in DuPage County. They highlight vote yes for the tax hike and EVERY Madigan backed candidate. Litigation forthcoming. https://t.co/Xq6wDAZRAi
* As it turns out, the DuPage County GOP knew about this. I discovered that when I did what the ILGOP should’ve done if they actually cared and checked with the DuPage County Clerk’s office…
Rich,
DuPage County’s touchscreen voting machines, in compliance with the voter access requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act, utilize a text-highlighting feature to assist impaired voters. The text-highlighting feature in question has been consistently utilized throughout the life of the county’s voting system. An audio track reads the ballot questions and available selections while the accompanying text is highlighted in red. Headphones and a touchpad are provided for any voters who choose to utilize the audio track. The text of the first question and candidate name on each page are read to the voter, and the accompanying text is highlighted. Voters utilizing the assistance keypad can then cycle through the selections for each race, which are read over the headphones while the accompanying text is highlighted in red. Voters who choose not to utilize the assistance keypad can proceed directly to marking their choices, at which point the highlighted text follows their most recent selection.
In response to concerns raised by the DuPage Republican Party, on the morning of Friday, October 23, senior staff from the DuPage County Clerk’s Office met with members of the DuPage GOP leadership for a demonstration and explanation of the text-highlighting feature and its necessity to comply with the requirements of the Americans with Disabilities Act within the technological constraints of DuPage County’s fifteen-year-old voting system. The system utilized by DuPage County is state-certified and functioned in an identical manner in the 2020 General Primary, and our office is unaware of any concerns raised at that time by parties, candidates, or voters.
Stickers have been placed on every voting machine at the Early Voting sites explaining in both English and Spanish that the text-highlighting feature is for impaired voter assistance only and that highlighted selections can by cycled through utilizing the provided keypad, as well as reminding voters to review all ballot selections to ensure accuracy before casting their vote.
Regards,
Adam Johnson
Chief Deputy Clerk
DuPage County Clerk
Also, as the Illinois State Board of Elections’ spokesman points out, “Democrats are listed first because they won the post-primary lottery for ballot placement.”
But, you know, “Madigan and the ADA-compliant Diebold machines he controls,” or something.
*** UPDATE 1 *** The Illinois GOP suggested some questions for the DuPage County Clerk, so I passed them along…
Rich,
In response to the follow-up questions you passed along from the ILGOP:
“1) If this is for ADA, why is this the only jurisdiction in the state complying with ADA? Is everyone else failing their constituents and flouting the law?”
I can’t speak for the ADA compliance practices of other jurisdictions. I do know that most other counties have implemented new voting systems in the fifteen years since DuPage County purchased the machines our office inherited upon taking over election administration last year. The newer systems have more robust and flexible options for meeting ADA requirements. The DuPage County Clerk would certainly welcome assistance in advocating for a county as large and affluent as DuPage to make the investment required to upgrade to a state of the art voting system rather than doing the best we can with last-generation equipment.
“2) Again, if this is for ADA, why is this the first year they have decided to “comply” with the law? Have they been breaking the law up until this point?”
Again, I can’t speak for DuPage County’s previous ADA compliance practices, since elections have only been under the oversight of the County Clerk’s Office since last year, when the Republican majority on the County Board voted on a party-line basis to dissolve the Election Commission immediately during the middle of the ongoing spring consolidated election rather than implement the phased transition plan our office requested. Apparently, the Republican County Board members were so concerned with the quality of election administration in DuPage County that they believed there was not a single day to spare before bringing Clerk Kaczmarek in to start cleaning up the mess.
Regards,
Adam Johnson
Chief Deputy Clerk
DuPage County Clerk
*** UPDATE 2 *** ILGOP…
Following calls by voters and Republican Party officials, DuPage County Clerk Jean Kaczmarek is acknowledging an issue with DuPage County voting machines and has committed to several remedial measures requested by the ILGOP and others.
Several voters reported that while reading the questions on the screen of the electronic voting machines at early voting locations in DuPage County, after 10 seconds, the machine would automatically highlight the candidate or question that occupied the first ballot position, which this year are the Democratic Party candidates. The technical issue is related to how the County’s voting machines comply with the ADA.
“While all counties must adhere to ADA requirements while conducting their elections, we have not seen this occur in any other county in the State, where a candidate’s name would be automatically highlighted, as they were in DuPage,” said ILGOP Chairman Tim Schneider. “We brought these issues to the Clerk and appreciate the Clerk’s office taking these issues seriously.”
The DuPage County Clerk has committed to place signage at each Early Voting site, to provide a hand out to each voter, and to place explanatory signage on each electronic voting machine used in Early Voting in DuPage County. While a technological fix is unavailable during the Early Voting period, the Clerk has committed to investigate whether a technological fix may address the issue for Election Day voting.
Said Schneider, “We appreciate the Clerk taking these remedial measures to help avoid any voter confusion on these machines. It is obviously of the utmost importance that all voters have the chance to make an informed choice at the polls.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** Adam Johnson at the DuPage County Clerk’s office just called to say that the clerk’s office did not sign off on the statement in the ILGOP release above. That was a draft, but the clerk’s office said it couldn’t agree to that language and they were working on agreed language when the Republican press release popped. “That’s not a statement from us,” Johnson said. “That’s nothing that we signed off on at all.”
