* Tribune…

A small group of protesters holding “Don’t tread on me” flags and chanting “Open Illinois!” demonstrated outside the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield on Sunday, the latest in a series of protests across the country against stay-at-home orders designed to slow the spread of the coronavirus.

About 50 people gathered on the steps of the Capitol, holding signs that read “Open our state,” “Freedom is essential” and “No one is safe when rights are infringed.” Others waved “Trump 2020” and “Recall Pritzker.”

One counterprotester stood among them, wearing a face mask and holding a sign that read “These guys are idiots.”

As I noted over the weekend, the Statehouse is regularly the scene of rallies in the hundreds and even in the thousands. Yesterday’s was tiny.

* Sun-Times…

For some people, Illinois’ stay-at-home order has gone on long enough.

On Sunday, about two dozen red, white and blue-clad protesters carrying Trump banners gathered near the steps of the Illinois State Capitol in Springfield calling for Gov. J.B. Pritzker to end his stay-at-home order, set to last until at least April 30. […]

“You know, what I would do with Chicago is just take Cook County and just build a wall right there and leave everybody inside,” said Robert Tracy, a commercial painter from Joliet. “I know it sounds silly, but I think the rest of the state could function without Cook County.” […]

Across from the rally, about a half-dozen of counterprotesters gathered. Among them was Allissa Hall, a social services worker from Springfield, holding a sign that said: “People are dying — go home!”

Will County is a hot spot. The guy is kidding himself.

* SJ-R…

Tensions ran high briefly as two vehicles blocked the intersection of Second Street and Capitol Avenue and other protesters had to be removed from the walkway by Springfield police and Secretary of State Capitol police Sunday afternoon.

The protest was part of Operation Gridlock, organized on Facebook. Similar protests over “stay at home” mandates have flourished in state capitals around the country in the past several days. […]

Lori “C.J.” Van Note of Heyworth, one of the protesters blocking the intersection with her vehicle, said she was tired of the “tyranny of the Democratic Party” that is causing people to lose their jobs. She also called the numbers of COVID-19 related illnesses and deaths “fake.”

“It’s fear-mongering the public,” Van Note said.

* John Sides, a professor of political science at Vanderbilt University, tweeted out some poll results over the weekend taken by Nationscape surveys on March 19-26 and April 2-11…

“Cancel all meetings or gatherings of more than 10 people, like sports events, concerts, conferences, etc.”

March: 85% support
April: 87% support

“Close certain businesses where larger numbers of people gather, like theaters, bars, restaurants, etc.”

March: 84% support
April: 87% support

“Close schools and universities”

March: 85% support
April: 87% support

“Restrict travel by plane, train, or bus”

March: 78% support
April: 83% support

“Restrict all non-essential travel outside the home”

March: 82% support
April: 86% support

“Encourage people to stay in their homes and avoid socializing with others”

March: 87% support
April: 88% support

“Require people who can work from home to work from home”

March: 87% support
April: 89% support

One more point…

What is more, the percent who "strongly support" these things averages 64% and that average increased 6 points between the May and April polls. So the overall level of support has remained high *and* the intensity of support has increased.

— John Sides (@johnmsides) April 19, 2020