Illinois State University is extending its spring break for students until Monday, March 23.
All faculty, staff members, and graduate assistants will resume their normal work schedule the week of March 15. There will be no classes in any format that week to allow faculty, staff members, and graduate assistants involved in instruction to make the adjustment to alternative instruction.
When instructional activities resume March 23, the University will transition from face-to-face teaching to online instruction and/or other instructional modalities through at least April 12. That timeframe may be subject to change depending on evolving circumstances. […]
University-operated housing is currently closed. ISU students should remain at their permanent home residences until further notice, and students now living in residence halls, Cardinal Court Apartments, or University-owned apartments should return to their permanent home residences. Accommodations for those who cannot return home will be addressed on a case-by-case basis. Students will be informed regarding procedures for retrieving needed items from their University housing rooms. […]
Throughout this pandemic, Illinois State is attempting to contain or limit any spread by recommending, whenever possible, following the CDC’s social distancing guidelines, which include not being within six feet of someone for longer than 10 minutes.
Effective March 23, events at Illinois State with 50 or more anticipated attendees are postponed through at least April 12. All gatherings should practice social distancing guidelines. More information will be provided regarding the status of specific events.
…Adding… Meanwhile…
BREAKING: CME will close its Chicago trading floor at the end of the day Friday “as a precaution” due to coronavirus. The company will evaluate when to reopen it as “more medical guidance on the coronavirus becomes available.” https://t.co/vpyWbVRRy9
* Secretary of State Jesse White’s spokesperson Dave Druker just called to say all Statehouse tours have been canceled. This includes the traditional school trips to the state capital. Tour guides won’t be laid off, he said.
Druker said the office has “put a hold on lobbying days, association gatherings, rallies.” He said they’re reaching out to lobbyists to ask them to ask their clients to limit or even eliminate their gatherings.
“We’re not closing the building,” Druker said. “I want to stress that. It’s large groups we want to limit.”
Druker said has office has consulted IDPH and the General Assembly and they’re both “comfortable with this.”
The SoS is also doing a deep-cleaning of the building, by the way.
…Adding… Press release…
The Illinois Secretary of State’s office is taking a number of precautionary measures to limit the possibilities for the exposure of 2019 Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19) at the State Capitol.
Permits for all scheduled tours of the Illinois State Capitol Building and all events scheduled to take place at the Capitol Building have been canceled. In addition, lobbyists who have lobby days or other events at the Capitol Building are being encouraged to alert them to these cancellations.
…Adding… Press release…
After careful consideration due the COVID-19 virus the following events hosted by nursing organizations have been cancelled: Illinois Association of Nurse Anesthetist Lobby Day on March 24th, ANA-ILlinois annual Student Nurse Political Action Day on March 30th, the Illinois Coalition of Nursing Organization’s legislator reception scheduled for the evening of March 30th, and Illinois Society for Advanced Practice Nursing and ANA-Illinois Nurses Lobby Day on April 1st.
…Adding… Press release…
The Illinois Gaming Board meeting at the Bilandic Building in Chicago scheduled for March 12, 2020 at 9AM is postponed. More information regarding rescheduling will be forthcoming.
* Gov. JB Pritzker said today at his now-daily news conference that 6 new novel coronavirus cases have been discovered, bringing the total to 25, although some have recovered.
The governor asked Illinoisans to vote by mail instead of voting in-person.
And Pritzker said the CDC released guidance yesterday recommending against events of 250 or more. He said he urged people to “think critically” before attending any large gathering.
This post will be updated.
…Adding… The new cases include a Lake County resident in his 50s. The other five cases are in Chicago and Cook County. They are all in isolation, either at a hospital or at home.
…Adding… The governor said his office has been talking to sports team owners and has reached out to the various leagues to see what they were doing. He also said this…
We’re considering all options here. I think if you look back at previous epidemics or outbreaks, that’s always been something that’s considered. So we’re taking a very serious look at that. I mean, as you know, the million people that would have gathered for St Patrick’s Day was something that had to be addressed right away. We have the opening days of various teams coming up in the next couple of weeks. And so we want to make sure that we’re not only considering all of the options here, but considering what those opening dates are and how it might affect those teams and leagues and the public, most important to me, of course, is the safety of the people of our state and their health. And so I’m continuing to have these conversations and decisions are being made.
…Adding… He was also asked about the Thompson Center…
We’re also looking at not just the Thompson center, but other state facilities. For the time being, we haven’t issued guidance around that. I do think it’s worthwhile for us all to pay attention to the the guidance by the CDC in the concentrations issue, buildings that have hundreds and even thousands of people in them, aren’t necessarily buildings that need to close. It’s really a question of proximity of people to one another. As you know there’s this rule of six feet and 10 minutes. And so we’re looking at what that would look like for the Thompson center and evaluating that we’ll make some decisions around that and and all the other facilities that we operate.
IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike was also asked about the Thompson Center…
I don’t think the space itself is the problem it’s just they are communal gatherings where there are large numbers of people in the very small space at the same time, that could promote transmission. That’s what we’ll be looking at, people in their cubicles, you know, those are appropriately spaced away that they’re not in direct contact with their employees. … If you had a meeting that assembled, you know, 250 or 300 people. That’s what we’re concerned about not so much people in their, in their offices.
…Adding… Asked if he will support a bill in the hopper to mandate paid leave, the governor said…
Well I am supportive of paid sick leave in general, but I will say that we’re looking right now, because waiting for action by legislature is perhaps waiting too long. And so, when people run out of their sick time. What we’re looking at is emergency rules through JCAR to activate and delve into our unemployment benefits in the state. We’re also seeking from the federal government, the ability to get a waiver from the ‘able and available’ rule in our unemployment insurance. I think they should be doing that for the entire country. But we’re seeking it for the state of Illinois and also asking them to perhaps consider declaring a state of emergency or disaster for the nation around coronavirus which would open up that ability, building on that.
…Adding… Pritzker went off again on the federal government’s response…
I’ve spoken with other governors who are deeply concerned about this. Here’s what’s happening. We’re not getting enough tests. We’re not getting enough test kits, we’re not getting enough RNA extraction kits which is part of the process of doing a test or the reagent there is a nationwide shortage of this reagent. There is one producer of the reagent. Now this is a result of the CDC having made a decision early on to not let the best research, hospitals and institutions around the United States, develop their own tests, they decided, essentially to reject the ability. Early on, they’re now loosening that up because they realize they created a problem. But as a result of the early decision. There was dependence upon this one reagent this one test method. And the result is that we have a limited number of tests now we’re using them appropriately. As you know, we test people when they come in with symptoms, they get tested for flu, and for other things before we resort to if they test negative on these other items, but still have the respiratory challenges and the fever. Then we’ll go to testing them for COVID-19.
But, the fact that we only have a few of these and need more is indicative of a behavior on the federal government level that is unacceptable to me. So, we’re pressing hard. I believe the federal government is hearing it. But I haven’t yet seen a reaction here’s one of the frustrations for me. Last week, they said to us in response to this question that I posed that by Friday of last week that one of the commercial laboratories, would be starting to issue and produce provide perhaps millions of tests and make those available commercially. And then on Monday. Another of the major testing companies would be doing the same. Well it’s now Wednesday. And as far as I can tell it in the state of Illinois, we have none of that. It’s not being seen across the nation.
We need a lot more help and you hear very little yesterday, I put in calls to people at the federal government level. And I made sure they understood what my call was about. And I got no return phone call from at least two major officials that I reached out to. Now, I know they’re busy and you know I often have heard well, someone’s in the Situation Room, or someone’s in an important meeting and they can’t call the Governor of Illinois back on this subject, but I’m being as loud as I can on the subject and I think that they are going to be reactive to it. I know that many other governors are speaking the same language that I am.
…Adding… He was asked about President Trump…
Well number one that he’s taking this seriously because I have not heard that from the President of the United States. There are other people at the federal level who are taking it seriously. And in fact when you go to levels down, you know you talk to the people are actually doing the work. They understand.
But when the President, you know, wears his, you know, red hat in a CDC facility and talks about his own brilliance around being able to do research to determine an answer to this problem. I mean he’s not taking it seriously and you see what he tweets about this. His people in his administration have called this a hoax.
We need people to take this seriously. I hope that when he gives an address… that he speaks to the concerns that people all across this nation have, and especially to those of us who are trying to provide the care and take care of the health and safety of the people of our states. Tell us what you are going to do to make the situation better.
This rush transcription is done by Otter, by the way. Sorry for any errors. Moving quickly.
* Meanwhile, you may have seen this graphic online…
The ideal goal in fighting an epidemic or pandemic is to completely halt the spread. But merely slowing it — mitigation — is critical. This reduces the number of cases that are active at any given time, which in turn gives doctors, hospitals, police, schools and vaccine-manufacturers time to prepare and respond, without becoming overwhelmed. Most hospitals can function with 10 percent reduction in staff, but not with half their people out at once.
Some commentators have argued for getting the outbreak over with quickly. That is a recipe for panic, unnecessary suffering and death. Slowing and spreading out the tidal wave of cases will save lives. Flattening the curve keeps society going.
Both curves add up the number of new cases over time. The more people reporting with the virus on a given day, the higher the curve; a high curve means the virus is spreading fast. A low curve shows that the virus is spreading slower — fewer people are diagnosed with the disease on any given day. Keeping the curve down — diminishing the rate at which new cases occur — prevents overtaxing the finite resources (represented by the dotted line) available to treat it.
Think of the health care system capacity as a subway car that can only hold so many people at once. During rush hour, that capacity is not enough to handle the demand, so people must wait on the platform for their turn to ride. Staggering work hours diminishes the rush hour and increases the likelihood that you will get on the train and maybe even get a seat. Avoiding a surge of coronavirus cases can ensure that anyone who needs care will find it at the hospital. […]
The difference between seasonal flu and coronavirus is that many people have full or partial immunity to the flu virus because they have had it before or were vaccinated against it. Far more people are vulnerable to coronavirus, so it has many more targets of opportunity to spread. Keeping people apart in time and space with social distancing measures, self-isolation and actual quarantine decreases opportunities for transmission.
* And here’s how it worked in real time more than a hundred years ago…
There is a reason for canceling public gatherings. In a pandemic, don't be Philadelphia (held a parade in 1918 when cases started to come up, downplayed cases), be St. Louis (canceled gatherings). More here: https://t.co/KE7RYbxDGM@mlipsitchpic.twitter.com/wyrHx0nOLA
* Pru Plaza coronavirus case confirmed - Tenants at One Two Pru have been told a worker at the massive complex is ill with the virus. It’s believed to be Chicago’s first confirmed case at a major downtown office building.
The GA was scheduled to come back for three weeks and then take two weeks off for spring break. They ought to just cancel everything until May, do a budget and some cleanup legislation on cannabis and infrastructure and whatever else and get outta town.
…Adding… As expected…
Illinois Senate President Don Harmon today announced the cancellation of next week’s Senate session days as part of a public health initiative to limit exposure and hopefully slow the spread of the COVID-19 virus.
Senate President Harmon’s statement:
“When the state association for emergency doctors cancels its Capitol visit citing public health concerns, it should give us all reason to re-examine our schedules and priorities.
Given the recommendations for social distancing as a safeguard to slow the spread of this virus, the Illinois Senate is going to do its part. The Friday, March 20 session day had already been cancelled. The Senate will also cancel the March 18 and 19 session days.
We will constantly monitor the situation and make future decisions based on best practices and advice from the state’s public health and emergency preparedness professionals.”
The buy is a little over 400 points plus some cable. The buy is likely to be increased by the end of the week.
Script…
Michael Cabonargi and Richard Boykin. Two politicians out for themselves.
On the Cook County Board of Review, Cabonargi gave nearly a billion dollars in property tax breaks to powerful insiders. He got corrupt contributions and you got higher property taxes. Boykin helped Mitch McConnell try to keep the Senate Republican.
Iris Martinez, a progressive fighting for women’s health, raising the minimum wage and coverage for pre-existing conditions. Iris Martinez for Cook County Clerk, a woman standing up to corruption.
You may have heard about the incident at the University of Chicago that has gone viral.
Former Congressman Sean Duffy’s daughter Evita Duffy participated in a voter participation initiative. She was photographed with a whiteboard on which she wrote, “I vote because the coronavirus won’t destroy America, but socialism will.”
The backlash against her was swift. She’s received threats and personal attacks, just for declaring that she was a conservative on a college campus.
Please make a donation today to stop this kind of hatred from the radical left.
They attacked Evita and they will come after me and my family. But we are ready. Like Evita, and the Ives Family is All In for this fight. It is a small price to pay to preserve the rule of law and equal protection before it; the freedom to choose our professional pursuits and how we pursue them.
My opponent Sean Casten uses hate to direct people’s attention away from his assaults on our freedoms and free enterprise system.
Casten tweeted that the GOP was the party of pedophiles. And when asked to identify a leader he looks to for guidance, Sean Casten selected a virulent, profane bigot named Dan Savage who has called evangelical Christians “pieces of sh*t” and said of Republicans, “I wish they were all f**king dead.”
Sean Casten doesn’t disavow such language, he doubles down on it as he did when he compared the President of the United States to Osama bin Laden.
Casten doesn’t want to make American better. He wants to make it bitter.
If Evita Duffy can stand up, so can we. Stand with Evita and Jeanne against Sean Casten, Nancy Pelosi and the viciousness of the radical Left.
* On to the presidential…
This raises questions about whether Biden will still hold his campaign rally that was scheduled for Chicago this Friday night. No location was announced when the rally notice went out. Any update @kbeds? https://t.co/5wTHO70DYc
The COVID-19 viral disease that has swept into at least 114 countries and killed more than 4,000 people is now officially a pandemic, the World Health Organization announced Wednesday.
“This is the first pandemic caused by coronavirus,” said WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus.
Eight countries — including the U.S. — are now each reporting more than 1,000 cases of COVID-19, caused by the virus that has infected more than 120,000 people worldwide.
“In the past two weeks, the number of cases of COVID-19 outside China has increased 13-fold, and the number of affected countries has tripled,” Tedros said.
As Washington state grapples with what may be the country’s worst outbreak of novel coronavirus, the absence of a COVID-19 emergency declaration from President Trump has hamstrung its ability to respond to the crisis.
The state would like to apply for a Medicaid waiver that would let Washington give people more options for where to receive care, so that it can lessen the pressure on its already overtaxed health system.
The problem for the state is that one of the types of waivers currently under discussion — a waiver known as 1135 — can be triggered only by the President declaring an emergency or a disaster under the Stafford Act, something he has notably failed to do, despite all signs indicating that the coronavirus outbreak stands to be a major public health crisis. […]
In past emergencies, Medicaid waivers, which could also be issued under 1115, have been useful tools for helping states to react to evolving situations.
The Bush administration approved Medicaid waivers to expand health coverage for New Yorkers after the 9/11 attacks and, after Hurricane Katrina, to streamline the process for Gulf coast states to cover people who had to evacuate from Louisiana.
Senate Democrats lead by Minority Leader Chuck Schumer are preparing a letter formally calling for President Donald Trump to issue an emergency declaration to make more than $40 billion available to assist state and local governments’ coronavirus response, according to a Senate Democratic aide.
A prison watchdog said the Illinois Department of Corrections needs to make its plans for addressing COVID-19 public.
“Prison health is problematic on a good day,” the John Howard Association said. “In Illinois, ongoing litigation has both exposed and is working to remedy the unfortunate quality of and limited access to medical care available to people in our prisons. Court-appointed experts have submitted detailed reports pointing to the many inhumane and constitutionally violative practices around the medical care provided inside Illinois prisons.”
The statement included data from a poll done by the association from those who are in state custody and of 12,780 people who responded from 21 facilities between April 2018 and May 2019, 65 percent expressed dissatisfaction with medical care and 78 percent were dissatisfied with IDOC’s provisions of hygiene items such as soap and hand sanitizer.
“We are not medical experts and do not offer specific advice on disease prevention and treatment,” the statement said. “But as a prison watchdog and advocacy organization, we are concerned that the health of prisoners in the face of this new pandemic will not rank as a public health priority. […]
The Illinois Department of Corrections said Tuesday that no cases of COVID-19 have been confirmed in prisons.
“The Department is modifying its current Pandemic Influenza and Continuity of Operations plans to ensure we are prepared for a potential outbreak of COVID-19,” IDOC spokesperson Lindsey Hess said. “People who are experiencing symptoms of the coronavirus, or who may have been exposed to the illness, may not be permitted to visit an IDOC correctional facility.”
Public health quarantine and isolation are legal authorities that may be, but rarely are, implemented to prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Ill people may be isolated to protect the public by preventing exposure to infected people. Quarantine may be used to restrict the movement of well people who may have been exposed to a communicable disease until it can be determined if they are ill. This could include people who have a communicable disease but do not know it or those who may have the disease because of close contact with ill people but do not show symptoms.
State and local governments are primarily responsible for maintaining public health and controlling the spread of diseases within state borders. Among other state public health emergency preparedness powers, every state, the District of Columbia and most territories have laws authorizing quarantine and isolation, usually through the state’s health authority. The federal government has authority as well, through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), to monitor and respond to the spread of communicable diseases across national or state borders, or if the state government is unwilling or unable to effectively respond.
The CDC’s authority to exercise quarantine and isolation powers for specific diseases derives from the federal Public Health Service Act and most recently, a series of presidential executive orders. Under these orders, federal quarantine and isolation powers currently apply to the following diseases: cholera; diphtheria; infectious tuberculosis; plague; smallpox; yellow fever; viral hemorrhagic fevers; influenza caused by new or reemergent flu viruses that are causing, or have the potential to cause, a pandemic; and severe acute respiratory syndromes (which may include COVID-19). On Jan. 31, 2020, President Donald Trump released a proclamation in response to the COVID-19 outbreaks suspending certain entry into the United States, specifically outlining medical screening and quarantine where appropriate.
Authority. The Department of Public Health has supreme authority over declaring new or modifying existing quarantines. A county board of health should be created with responsibility for control of contagious diseases, including the use of quarantine for areas within the county not incorporated. Corporate authorities of municipalities have jurisdiction for quarantine extending one-half mile beyond corporate limits. Local health authorities shall establish quarantine of contacts of someone suspected of carrying a disease that requires this action.
Penalties. Whoever violates or refuses to obey any rule or regulation of the Department of Public Health shall be deemed guilty of a Class A misdemeanor.
Police Power & Limitations. Persons who are or are about to be ordered to be isolated or quarantined and owners of places that are or are about to be closed and made off limits to the public shall have the right to counsel. If a person or owner is indigent, the court shall appoint counsel for that person or owner. Persons who are ordered to be isolated or quarantined or who are owners of places that are ordered to be closed and made off limits to the public, shall be given a written notice of such order.
* Roundup…
* Meet the two women leading Illinois’ coronavirus response - A former general and a former medical director of the largest juvenile detention center in the country have one of the most important tasks in Illinois right now: dealing with coronavirus.
* UI exploring online classes in wake of coronavirus: Indiana University, Harvard, Ohio State, Columbia, Princeton and colleges in hard-hit California and Washington state have already announced shifts to online classes.
* Local leaders take coronavirus fight into own hands absent federal direction: New York officials moved Tuesday to seal off a region where a growing cluster of cases posed a heightened risk of transmitting the virus, with Gov. Andrew Cuomo saying the fast-changing situation merited “a special public health strategy for New Rochelle.” In Massachusetts, a blue state with a Republican executive, Gov. Charlie Baker declared a state of emergency and legislative leaders said they plan to allocate $15 million for containment efforts. While some blue state governors have conspicuously avoided criticizing Trump, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker didn’t hold back Tuesday. Pritzker assailed vague Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance about avoiding large crowds, complained about the U.S. not using tests that were released by the World Health Organization and cautioned that Trump is downplaying the seriousness of the virus. “I am very frustrated with the federal government,” he said. “We have not received enough tests. We’ve been told for days and that the commercial labs will be coming on line. Just again today I was told they’d be coming on line in a matter of days and we haven’t seen it.”
* MSNBC: Illinois gov. frustrated by government response to coronavirus
* Stocks fall with Trump stimulus missing: “Every day we get whipsawed back and forth, and what we’re seeing today is general disappointment that fiscal policy is not at all clear in how it’s going to stimulate the economy.”
* Email crash impeded HHS response to coronavirus: The episode has exacerbated tensions inside a department that’s already been split by intense fights between HHS Secretary Alex Azar and CMS chief Seema Verma while it strains to coordinate the government’s response to the viral outbreak.
* True number of U.S. coronavirus cases is far above official tally, scientists say: Researchers estimate that by March 1, the virus had already infected about 1,000 to 10,000 people who have not yet been accounted for. At the start of this month, about 80 U.S. cases had been confirmed and officials were still expressing confidence they could contain the new virus.
* Trump’s former pandemic adviser: ‘We are 10 days from our hospitals getting creamed’: Washington Gov. Jay Inslee (D), who is overseeing one of the country’s largest clusters, said “if you do the math” there could be 64,000 cases of COVID-19 in the Evergreen State by May, while New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio said the positive cases in the city are “coming in so intensely now” that public officials are struggling to keep up with them. He said he wasn’t in a position to give the media a “detailed case breakdown” because of the rapidly changing number.
* ADDED: ‘It’s Just Everywhere Already’: How Delays in Testing Set Back the U.S. Coronavirus Response: Later that day, the investigators and Seattle health officials gathered with representatives of the C.D.C. and the F.D.A. to discuss what happened. The message from the federal government was blunt. “What they said on that phone call very clearly was cease and desist to [Dr. Helen Y. Chu, an infectious disease expert in Seattle],” Dr. Lindquist remembered. “Stop testing.”
In the latest gaffe in the state’s voter rolls, 1,151 Illinois residents were improperly classified as not registered to vote in next week’s primary before officials caught the mistake. […]
A spokesman for the Illinois State Board of Elections said he doesn’t think anyone who was mistakenly listed as not registered was inappropriately turned away during early voting, which began last week, since anyone not registered to vote has the option to do so on the spot and election judges are trained to tell people about that option.
White’s office could not shed any light on the exact cause of the problem. […]
[Jesse White spokesperson Dave Druker] said the error, which was first reported by WCIA-TV in Downstate Illinois, is not due to a “computer glitch” and could be a clerical error that may have multiple causes.
Secretary of State spokesperson Dave Druker told The Daily Line that the error was discovered during regular monitoring of applications records, and said the issue began in January. Druker said the errors likely occurred because people gave officials “conflicting” about whether they wanted to be automatically registered.
In some cases, Druker said a person may have gone to a driver’s services facility twice in an attempt to receive a driver’s license or state ID card with sophisticated security features that requires more documentation to obtain.
“Somebody indicated at one point where they did want to be in [AVR] and at another point said they didn’t,” Druker said. “We review these by hand and gave the applications to the Board of Elections. We’re sorry for any confusion that occurred here.”
Chicago Board of Elections spokesperson Jim Allen told The Daily Line he was unsure of the number of individuals affected within the city of Chicago, but said it was “not a grave concern,” since same-day voter registration is available on both Election Day and during early voting, which began last week.
*** UPDATE *** Press release…
In light of yet another “programming error” related to Illinois’ Automatic Voter Registration (AVR) system, State Representatives Tim Butler (R-Springfield) and Avery Bourne (R-Morrisonville) are calling for a thorough audit and suspension of the system until problems are resolved. The latest problem with the system while on the Secretary of State’s watch has caused more than 1,100 valid voter registrations to be wrongly coded as opting-out instead of being registered.
“It started with non-citizens being registered, then minors being registered, and now actual citizens of legal voting age not being registered. How much more evidence do we need that AVR has to be put on hold and a thorough audit conducted?” said Rep. Butler. “These exact concerns were expressed back in 2017 during the discussions of instituting an AVR program in our state and these revelations underscore that those concerns were well-founded. With the primary election happening in a week and the presidential election in November, these egregious mistakes have to be corrected before AVR is allowed to continue.”
Butler, Bourne and House Republicans first called for action at the end of January when the first revelation that 574 self-identified non-citizens were mistakenly registered to vote. U.S. Congressman Rodney Davis joined House Republicans in that call and several public hearings have since been held, but no action to put the AVR program on hold has been taken by the Governor or the Democrat led General Assembly. In February, Butler and Bourne filed House Bill 5224 to suspend the AVR program until the problems with the system are corrected. Now, House Resolution 827 has been filed to call for a thorough audit to be conducted by an outside, independent auditor.
“It has been over a month since I first called for suspension of the Automatic Voter Registration system. With the revelation of this latest error within Illinois’ AVR system, it’s past time for lawmakers to take definitive steps to protect the integrity of our elections,” said Rep. Bourne. “The wrongful rejection of 1,152 valid voter registrations is unacceptable, and the latest in a series of problems that warrant the temporary suspension of AVR until all issues are resolved. Access to fair and free elections is a fundamental right, and there should be zero margin for error. The rollout of AVR has been plagued with problems and it’s time for the General Assembly to intervene.”
Besides the most recent revelation about the improperly coded 1,152 valid voter registrations, the Secretary of State’s Office also forwarded the information of some 4,700 16-year-olds through the AVR system to the State Board of Elections for pre-registration. Fortunately, the Board of Elections rejected most of those before they were registered.
Many other state legislatures are scheduled to continue their sessions in the months ahead, even as the disease is expected to spread throughout the country.
According to the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), lawmakers in Oregon and Wisconsin can hold electronic meetings and votes in an emergency, and Colorado’s legislature allows for “new or streamlined methods of operations” and may suspend rules in order to “function effectively during the disaster emergency.”
NCSL wasn’t sure about other states, and said it was still compiling information related to continuity of government during public health emergencies.
Some local officials are asking similar questions. Paul Feiner, town supervisor in Greenburgh, New York, recently asked the New York legislature to amend state meetings law to allow local governments to vote by Skype.
Thoughts?
…Adding… This just went out to legislators…
With the health and safety of all in mind, the Illinois College of Emergency Physicians regrets to inform all members of the 101st General Assembly and staff that our evening reception scheduled for Wednesday, March 18 has been cancelled due to concerns about the spread of COVID-19.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Kyle Hillman at the National Association of Social Workers, Illinois Chapter…
The NASW-Illinois Chapter (NASW-IL) has been closely following news and updates regarding the COVID-19 virus (coronavirus), particularly as it impacts large gatherings and events in the state.
After much consideration and the wavering levels of uncertainty around COVID-19 spreading in Illinois, as well as the many health risks involved in holding large events like our advocacy day which has consistently passed 1000 attendees, the NASW-Illinois Chapter has decided to cancel our 2020 Advocacy Day on Thursday, April 2, 2020, and the lobby leaders training the previous day on Wednesday, April 1, 2020.
While we are hopefully being overly cautious regarding this decision, we have reached a point where we could no longer wait to let participants know if the event would continue or not.
We will be developing and suggesting alternatives to the event—these may include encouraging participants to participate in online action alerts, or additional online actions regarding current evolving NASW-IL–supported legislation.
Again, it was not an easy decision to cancel our most effective advocacy event of the year, but the health and safety of the hundreds of workers in the state capital, all participants, and the populations they serve is paramount.
*** UPDATE 2 *** Hannah…
Tomorrow afternoon’s Senate State Govt committee hearing is cancelled for tomorrow, and just got word the special joint hearing on red light cameras has also been postponed. Public safety cmte Chair @RobertJPeters said they wanted to “look out for health and safety of everyone” pic.twitter.com/ioOj1uMNfn
Yes I am canceling the hearing on Friday. While access to ABA therapy for autism is of great importance a public subject matter hearing at this time is not appropriate. The health and safety of all of our communities must be are focus.
Chicago’s popular downtown St. Patrick’s Day parade set for Saturday is being called off due to coronavirus concerns. The parade’s website announced the decision this morning. There’s no word, yet, on whether the annual South Side parade will go ahead as planned Sunday. Both parades were in doubt after Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday that officials were taking a hard look at large public gatherings as the number of COVID-19 virus cases in Illinois rose to 19. Pritzker and Mayor Lori Lightfoot have scheduled a news conference this morning to give an update on the virus situation.
…Adding… The city has three parades and the Tribune story uses the plural…
The coronavirus claimed its first major events in Chicago’s civic life Wednesday, as Mayor Lori Lightfoot canceled the city’s massive St. Patrick’s Day parades because of fears the disease would spread through the dense crowds. […]
But in the end, Lightfoot had to know she would be judged more harshly if Chicago got hit especially hard by the COVID-19 virus and the outbreak was traced back to the decision to go ahead with the parades. Health officials have been warning for weeks that the best way to avoid contracting the respiratory ailment is to avoid close contact with people who are infected.
Other major cities across the globe have canceled their St. Patrick’s Day parades; they include Boston and Dublin.
Even Ald. Matt O’Shea [19th], whose Beverly ward hosts the South Side Irish Parade, has said both events should be canceled.
…Adding… Mary Ann…
Southside Irish Parade: also will not take place Sunday@chicagosmayor would like to see a postponement, but no future date given, more to come at 9:15a newser at OEMC Southside sources say there will still be celebrations, even without a parade #coronavirus
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, Governor JB Pritzker, and officials from the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) and Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC)today announced the City will postpone this weekend’s St. Patrick’s Day parades as a precautionary measure to prevent further spread of the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19). The City will continue working with organizers from Chicago’s downtown, South Side, and Northwest Side parades, as well as the annual Dyeing of the Chicago River to reschedule these events to a later date and ensure the health and safety of Chicago’s residents and visitors.
The decision to postpone the official St. Patrick’s Day parades follows guidance and information from public health experts, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and counterparts in other jurisdictions experiencing similar impacts from COVID-19. The St. Patrick’s Day parades and associated activities present very unique circumstances for Chicago, drawing over a million attendees, many from outside of the city and across the country, and offering few opportunities for attendees to practice social distancing – a key recommendation by health experts to prevent the spread of COVID-19.
“The health and safety of Chicago’s residents will always be our highest priority and like many other cities across the nation and globe, we are postponing this year’s parades as a precautionary measure to prevent any additional spread of COVID-19,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “I want everyone to rest assured that your City and State continue to work around the clock to stay ahead of this issue and ensure everyone remains protected, informed, and safe.”
As part of today’s measures, the City will continue to work with state and county agencies on an ongoing basis to review all future non-essential, large gatherings and provide recommendations to the appropriate parties as needed. As it relates to other large planned events, the City’s guidance and protocol for large events will be reviewed on an ongoing basis.
“We all know what the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations mean to us in the city of Chicago — but as elected leaders, we can’t take any chances with the health of our residents,” said Governor JB Pritzker. “Because of what we’ve seen nationally and across the world of the increased risk of large gatherings, this was the right call and I thank Mayor Lightfoot for her leadership in this difficult situation. Now that we’ve reached the stage where we’re seeing regular new cases—reflecting additional spread within our communities—we have to make every effort to minimize further spread.”
For anyone celebrating St. Patrick Day this weekend, the City’s public health officials recommend practicing common sense health safety tips and social distancing, including:
Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands.
Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
Stay home when you are sick.
Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces. At this time, no special sanitizing processes beyond routine cleaning are necessary or recommended to slow the spread of respiratory illness.
Vulnerable populations – consisting of those 60 years or older or with underlying health conditions –may be more susceptible to COVID-19. The City encourages members of vulnerable populations and anyone who is sick to remain home and not attend large gatherings.
“Protecting the health and wellness of both Chicago’s residents and visitors is our top priority as we continue to learn more about the nature of COVID-19,” said Dr. Allison Arwady, M.D., Commissioner of CDPH. “We want to be sure that everyone understands the daily measures they can take to keep themselves safe such as social distancing, routine handwashing and avoiding touching the eyes, nose and mouth. We remain in constant communication with the CDC as well as federal, state and local officials to determine the best protocol moving forward in this ever-evolving situation.”
To ensure the safety of residents celebrating Chicago St. Patrick’s Day this weekend, OEMC will activate the City’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) as part of an effort to monitor any activities and crowds as well as coordinate resource requests and responses to individual situations. Additionally, OEMC has established the COVID-19 Task Force in partnership with the Mayor’s Office and CDPH to address essential areas of operations and collaborate with departments and sister agencies on preparedness and preventive measures.
“Ensuring that City’s robust response plan is both efficient and effective for residents is our top priority, said Rich Guidice, Executive Director at OEMC. “To ensure that our City remains prepared in the wake of this fast-moving and evolving situation, OEMC has created the COVID-19 Task Force with 12 unique subcommittees to continuously address and update our response tactics.”
The number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Illinois is increasing. and current information suggests that person-to-person spread will continue to occur and more cases will be identified in the United States and in Chicago. CDPH’s goal is to reduce the impact of COVID-19 in Chicago by detecting new cases quickly, minimizing transmission and developing guidance to prepare communities to respond.
“Chicago’s South Side Irish Parade is one of the community’s most anticipated and celebrated traditions,” said Alderman Matt O’Shea, 19th Ward. “While this decision will be disappointing to many, minimizing the potential for COVID-19’s spread must be our top priority.”
More information and updates on COVID-19 can be found on the IDPH website, the CDPH website, and the CDC website. You can also contact the Chicago Department of Public Health at coronavirus@chicago.gov.
…Adding… South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade Committee…
Out of an abundance of caution to contain the spread of COVID-19, the City of Chicago has made the decision to postpone many of the St. Patrick’s Day events this weekend, including our Parade. While we are disappointed in this development, we well understand the City of Chicago Department of Public Health’s prudent concerns and the recommendations of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) that prompts this decision to help keep citizens safe and healthy.
The South Side Irish Parade Committee hopes everyone will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day and Irish heritage in a safe and family-friendly way this year and we look forward to March 14, 2021, when the largest community celebration of St. Patrick’s Day outside of Dublin will step off once again.
Companies who do business with the state risk having their $50,000 or larger contracts automatically voided and be barred from bidding on state projects if a firm makes three or more campaign contributions to Illinois’ executive officers within a 36-month period.
But the specific language of Illinois’ procurement code does not prevent a company from getting around the statute — either by donating money from a company official’s personal account or having their spouse make the contribution rather than the business itself, Illinois’ Chief Procurement Officer for General Services Ellen Daley told members of the Joint Commission on Ethics and Lobbying Reform.
The commission has three weeks to deliver a report containing suggested changes to Illinois’ laws in response to the newest crisis of confidence in Illinois politics.
Daley told the commission that her effort to cancel a state contract because of what she determined were improper campaign contributions was thwarted. Daley said she relied on a clause of the Illinois’ procurement code to make the decision.
“Last year I relied on this clause and attempted to bar a vendor from having a state contract since affiliated persons and affiliated entities of the company had made prohibited political contributions,” Daley said. “However, the enforcement clause is specifically worded so that a business’ entity contracts are voidable only when the business entity violates the prohibition on making contributions.”
A bill that would give a state tax credit of up to $1,000 a year to foster families has bipartisan support in Illinois, but the cost of such a credit isn’t yet known.
State Rep. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, filed House Bill 5119 and members of both parties signed up in support.
State Rep. Mark Batinick, R-Plainview, signed on to the bill and said such an incentive could help encourage more people to become foster parents.
“When you look at all the issues going on at the state level, we’ve heard about the deaths of people that are in state care, we need more good people doing this and so we need to incentivize good practice, good behavior,” Batinick said.
* Press release…
State Senator Robert Peters (D-Chicago) advanced a bill that would help youth in foster care apply for college financial aid.
“The state needs to be proactive at helping foster kids build a strong future during their final years of care,” Peters said. “We need to do all we can to ensure that they have access to education or job training before they have to live on their own.”
Senator Peters’ measure requires the Department of Child and Family Services to assist all youth in their care with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) during their final year of high school. The legislation is an initiative of the National Association of Social Workers.
In addition, Senator Peters pledges to support legislation that would make college more accessible to Illinois students.
“Education should lead people to prosperity, not inescapable debt to student loan sharks,” Peters said. “We should not be punishing people with fines and fees for wanting to expand their education and contribute more to society.”
Senate Bill 3718 awaits consideration before the Senate Human Services Committee.
As the number of local law enforcement agencies joining forces with video doorbell company Ring grows, two Illinois Democrats urged lawmakers to act to prevent what they called “warrantless searches.”
State Rep. Ann Williams (D-Chicago) and State Sen. Cristina Castro (D-Elgin) on Monday touted SB 3414 as a way to keep companies like Ring, which is owned by tech giant Amazon, and other smart device manufacturers in check and to preserve civil liberties. The legislation, mirrored in HB 5495, is also supported by the American Civil Liberties Union Illinois chapter.
The bill, dubbed the Protecting Household Privacy Act, would ensure law enforcement agencies don’t skirt the existing requirement that they get a search warrant signed by a judge in order to access audio or video recordings without the permission of the device’s owner. In addition, the measure would order any data obtained by law enforcement to be destroyed within 30 days, unless it was being used for an ongoing investigation or pending criminal trial.
Manufacturers of devices like the Ring Doorbell would have to disclose the law enforcement agencies with whom they have entered into agreements. The city of Chicago, for example, entered into an agreement with Ring in September. The best available data pegs the number of municipalities in Illinois that have entered into agreements with Ring in the dozens, according to an independent data project tallying such agreements.
* The governor is holding a press conference on the COVID-19 topic right now. Click here to watch it. This post will be updated.
*** UPDATE 1 *** IDPH director says the state response “may include cancelling large events.”
*** UPDATE 2 *** Gov. Pritzker said he’s been in close communications with the mayor about St. Patrick’s Day and the mayor is talking with parade organizers. Pritzker said they may be making announcements tomorrow “about any decision that could be made.” Full text…
Pritzker was asked about Chicago's two planned St. Patrick's Day parades this weekend. It sure sounds like people should have contingency plans. pic.twitter.com/ADF4SqnZs0
*** UPDATE 3 *** Pritzker: “I am very frustrated with the federal government. We have not received enough tests.” Complained about how the federal government “passed up the opportunity that was already developed” overseas, where countries are testing. “We could have been using that weeks ago in the United States.”
[ *** End Of Updates *** ]
Press release…
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH), Kane County Health Department (KCHD), and the McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) today announced the first Illinois residents outside of Chicago and Cook County to test positive at the IDPH laboratory for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). The cases include a Kane County woman in her 60s and a McHenry County teen, neither of whom had a history of travel to an affected area and no connection to a known case of COVID-19. Public health officials are identifying and contacting all close contacts.
“As we anticipated, the number of cases in Illinois is increasing and now includes the first cases outside of Chicago and Cook County,” said IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike. “The State of Illinois continues to take action to reduce spread of COVID-19 in Illinois and we again want to encourage people to start thinking and preparing now in the event they are not able to go to work, if schools are closed, if public transportation is not available, and how else their lives will be disrupted by this outbreak.”
Currently, there are 19 individuals in Illinois who have tested positive for COVID-19. At least one case acquired the virus in the community, but probably more. As IDPH continues to conduct surveillance testing, additional cases will be identified, and we will have a better understanding about the amount of virus circulating in Illinois communities.
In addition to the cases in Kane and McHenry counties, new cases include individuals in:
Cook County:
• 70s – male
• 60s – female
• 40s – female
• 40s – male
Chicago:
• 40s – male
• 40s – male
Public health officials are still investigating the travel history of these individuals and any potential contact with a known COVID-19 case. These most recent cases are in isolation and are doing well.
…Adding… Press release…
The Health Care Council of Illinois and nursing homes throughout the state are working in close coordination with Gov. Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health to follow all coronavirus guidelines to protect the health and safety of skilled nursing facility residents and staff.
Since our residents are at heightened risk for complications because of their age and underlying health conditions, nursing homes in Illinois are always vigilant in protecting our residents from communicable diseases.
Following the IDPH recommendations, our nursing home employees are being monitored for potential symptoms prior to starting their shifts and encouraged to stay home if they are sick. We have put in place visitor restrictions, with few exceptions, and those allowed to entered will be screened. Finally, we are reinforcing already stringent standards of hand hygiene.
Our residents and staff our always our highest priority and we are steadfast in our commitment to their health and safety.
“I am very concerned about many people who either have to self-isolate, or have become ill and who have to take lots of time off work. Fourteen days is a long time for many people who live paycheck-to-paycheck,” he said.
* Employee memo today from the Illinois Department of Public Health, which is overseeing the state’s COVID-19 response. Click the pic for a larger image…
That’s gonna do wonders for employee morale. /s
*** UPDATE *** Governor’s office responding to HR director’s email…
That email is not an appropriate, correct version of policies and it will be clarified for employees today.
I’m told the actual policies were outlined in a memo last week where employees who were experiencing symptoms or are quarantined can take advance sick time. “We’ve been working with the unions and various state agencies,” on setting up policies.
Boston’s historic and beloved St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the political breakfast that precedes it have both been canceled due to fears of spreading coronavirus at mass events.
“In collaboration with Congressman (Stephen) Lynch, Councilors (Michael) Flaherty and (Ed) Flynn, Senator (Nick) Collins, Representative (David) Biele, and David Falvey from the South Boston Allied War Veterans Council, the St. Patrick’s Day Parade is being canceled,” Mayor Martin Walsh announced in a statement Monday, just six days before the parade was due to step off on Sunday. “This decision is being made out of an abundance of caution to ensure that we are doing what is needed to keep the residents of Boston safe and healthy.”
Both Walsh and Gov. Charlie Baker — who is cutting short a Utah ski trip to return to the state — had resisted canceling events for weeks, and there was no word Monday on whether the Boston Marathon set for mid-April will go ahead. Several other major races worldwide have been scaled back or canceled.
The St. Pat’s decision came as the number of presumptive coronavirus cases in Massachusetts jumped to 41 cases on Monday, essentially doubling over Saturday night and then again Sunday night. The virus has sickened more than 100,000 worldwide and killed thousands prompting cancellations of the St. Patrick’s Day parades in Ireland’s two biggest cities of Dublin and Cork, according to reports.
Students will be asked not to return to Harvard University after spring break and instead continue classes remotely, according to an announcement Tuesday morning.
The decision was announced in an email this morning by Harvard University President Lawrence S. Bacow.
The coronavirus toll linked to a Biogen management meeting in Boston has now jumped to 32 people infected in Massachusetts — with an investment bank in New York City alerting hundreds more about the viral risk.
Cambridge-based Biogen confirmed Monday they have warned both Manhattan investment bank Cowen & Co. and Boston’s State Room venue about company managers who have COVID-19 who may have come in contact with others.
About 175 Biogen managers coming from all over the world — “Yes, from Italy,” a company spokesman confirmed — gathered for a major meeting of the biotech giant held at the Boston Marriott Long Wharf hotel Feb. 26-27. Italy, at that time, was beginning to see the virus spread.
Chicago is also known for its conventions, its numerous institutions of higher learning and its St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.
Even as Boston canceled its St. Patrick’s Day parade, Ireland announced festivities across the island would be halted to try to curtail the spread of the COVID-19 virus and Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a disaster proclamation for Illinois because of the disease, Chicago officials said Monday they currently have no plans to call off the two major mid-March parades that draw massive crowds of revelers downtown and to the Southwest Side.
The city’s official parade is set to kick off at noon Saturday. The South Side Irish Parade takes place on Sunday along Western Avenue in the Far Southwest Side Beverly neighborhood. Each can draw crowds well into the hundreds of thousands if the weather’s nice. […]
“While there are currently no plans to cancel St. Patrick’s Day activities or other large events planned at this time, the City of Chicago is actively monitoring conditions and will recommend additional strategies as needed to prevent the spread of the virus,” Stratton said in a statement. “We continue to refine our citywide COVID-19 response plan in consultation with partners at the CDC, IDPH, CDPH as well as the parade organizers to ensure an operational plan is in place to protect the health and safety of our residents and visitors.”
Asked whether there’s talk of halting the South Side parade, Ald. Matt O’Shea, 19th, responded: “Absolutely not! The 42nd annual South Side Irish St. Patrick’s Day Parade will step off on Sunday March 15th at 12 p.m. #WashYourHands.”
The Department of Public Health shall investigate the causes of dangerously contagious or infectious diseases, especially when existing in epidemic form, and take means to restrict and suppress the same, and whenever such disease becomes, or threatens to become epidemic, in any locality and the local board of health or local authorities neglect or refuse to enforce efficient measures for its restriction or suppression or to act with sufficient promptness or efficiency, or whenever the local board of health or local authorities neglect or refuse to promptly enforce efficient measures for the restriction or suppression of dangerously contagious or infectious diseases, the Department of Public Health may enforce such measures as it deems necessary to protect the public health, and all necessary expenses so incurred shall be paid by the locality for which services are rendered.
I didn’t realize until last night that Illinois had such strong epidemic laws. IDPH could shut down the parades if Mayor Lightfoot refuses to pull their permits.
When the influenza epidemic of 1918 infected a quarter of the U.S. population, killing tens of millions of people, seemingly small choices made the difference between life and death.
As the disease was spreading, Wilmer Krusen, Philadelphia’s health commissioner, allowed a huge parade to take place on September 28th; some 200,000 people marched. In the following days and weeks, the bodies piled up in the city’s morgues. By the end of the season, 12,000 residents had died.
In St. Louis, a public health commissioner named Max Starkloff decided to shut the city down. Ignoring the objections of influential businessmen, he closed the city’s schools, bars, cinemas, and sporting events. Thanks to his bold and unpopular actions, the per capita fatality rate in St. Louis was half that of Philadelphia. (In total roughly 1,700 people died from influenza in St Louis.)
In the coming days, thousands of people across the country will face the choice between becoming a Wilmer Krusen or a Max Starkloff.
Your thoughts?
*** UPDATE *** Hmm…
NEW: After teleconference with city and parade organizers this morning,sources say: #SouthsideIrishParade: “Parade is still on as of now. Will make a decision by Friday if things get worse.” (Not 💯 if that’s the case for downtown parade, but likely)
