* Media advisory…
What:
The U.S. Census Bureau will hold a news conference to discuss the release of the first local level results from the 2020 Census. States use these data on race, Hispanic origin, and the voting-age population to redraw the boundaries of their congressional and state legislative districts.
The news conference will provide initial analysis of the first local level results from the 2020 Census on population change, race, ethnicity, the age 18 and over population, and housing occupancy status.
A live Q&A session with Census Bureau subject-matter experts will immediately follow the briefing for credentialed media who have RSVPed.
When:
Thursday, August 12, at 1 p.m. EDT
Who:
Ron Jarmin, acting director, U.S. Census Bureau
James Whitehorne, chief, Redistricting & Voting Rights Data Office, U.S. Census Bureau
Nicholas Jones, director and senior advisor of Race and Ethnic Research and Outreach, Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau
Marc Perry, senior demographer, Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau
Michael C. Cook, Sr., chief, Public Information Office, U.S. Census Bureau (moderator)
The legislature held off drawing the congressional maps until this data was available. It’s also possible that some state legislative districts will be redrawn if the data highlights important errors.
…Adding… Jim Nowlan on the new legislative maps. He really doesn’t like them…
We wouldn’t be facing such atrocious maps had not the state high court in 2016 blocked a petition signed by 700,000 voters. The ballot proposal would have allowed voters to determine if they wanted an independent commission to draw maps, without partisan gerrymandering.
But the court, in a vote of four Democrats over three Republicans, blocked this opportunity. The majority opinion was the most contrived bit of jurisprudence since the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dred Scott decision, a catalyst for the Civil War.
Um, wow.
The opinion is here.
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Richard Trumka
Thursday, Aug 5, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Late last month…
The head of the AFL-CIO said on Tuesday that the labor organization supports vaccine mandates for workers.
AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka outlined the group’s position during an interview on C-SPAN’s “The Washington Journal,” explaining why such mandates are important.
“Yes we do,” Trumka said, when asked if the AFL-CIO supports vaccine mandates. “If you are coming back into the workplace, you have to know what’s around you.”
* Today…
AFL-CIO president Richard Trumka, one of the country’s most powerful labor leaders and an influential voice in many Washington debates, died suddenly at 72, according to the federation.
Trumka, a third-generation coal miner who rose to power through the United Mine Workers, had become one of the most powerful labor leaders in the country and a key ally of Democrats in Washington, having worked in some capacity with every Democratic White House the last 30 years. […]
He has played an important part in debates during both Democratic and Republican administrations, playing a key role during the Trump administration’s effort to rewrite the North American Free Trade Agreement. Democrats only signed onto the pact after Trumka helped negotiate key changes.
As labor issues took center stage in the Biden administration, Trumka’s profile — and sway — was perhaps at its peak. With his blue collar background and working class credibility, he had been a crucial ally and public advocate in the larger discussions about strengthening the country’s labor laws, through legislation like the Pro Act, that remains a top Democratic priority.
* AFL-CIO Communications Director Tim Schlittner…
The labor movement, the AFL-CIO and the nation lost a legend today. Rich Trumka devoted his life to working people, from his early days as president of the United Mine Workers of America to his unparalleled leadership as the voice of America’s labor movement. He was a relentless champion of workers’ rights, workplace safety, worker-centered trade, democracy and so much more. He was also a devoted father, grandfather, husband, brother, coach, colleague and friend. Rich was loved and beloved. Today, the 56 unions and 12.5 million members of the AFL-CIO mourn the passing of our fearless leader and commit to honoring his legacy with action. Standing on Rich’s shoulders, we will pour everything we have into building an economy, society and democracy that lifts up every working family and community
I don’t usually do this for national figures, but a number of Illinoisans have weighed in, so I thought I’d post their remarks.
* Illinois House Speaker Chris Welch…
I am deeply saddened to hear about the passing of AFL-CIO President Rich Trumka. I had the pleasure of meeting and discussing important issues for our working families with Rich just last week. Our nation owes a debt of gratitude to Rich for his tireless efforts in fighting for the rights of working families. He was a steadfast champion for all and will be dearly missed. His family and loved ones will be in my thoughts and prayers.
* Robin Kelly…
Democratic Party of Illinois Chairwoman Robin Kelly on Richard Trumka’s passing:
“My deepest condolences are with the family and friends of Richard Trumka. Rich’s dedication to making sure American workers had a voice and ability to build a good life will be a lasting legacy for the AFL-CIO that will benefit working families for generations to come. Rich was a true warrior and fighter for everyday men and women.”
* CFL…
Chicago Federation of Labor President Bob Reiter released the following statement regarding the news that AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka has passed away at 72:
“Rich Trumka was a dedicated unionist, a ferocious fighter for working people, and a beloved friend to so many. I met Rich over 11 years ago during my early days at the Chicago Federation of Labor. I was fortunate to spend a lot of time with Rich speaking to workers all over the Chicago area. It gave me an early opportunity to get to know him personally and learn from a leader firsthand how to carry the spirit of the American worker wherever I go. It was clear that he loved Chicago and its workers. He partnered with the CFL and local affiliates countless times throughout the course of his career to improve the lives of workers in Chicago and beyond. The entire Chicago labor movement mourns the devastating loss of President Trumka. Our thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, the AFL-CIO, and the entire labor movement.”
* IFT…
Illinois Federation of Teachers (IFT) President Dan Montgomery issued the following statement upon the news of the sudden death of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.
“We are shocked and saddened to learn today that Richard Trumka, president of the AFL-CIO, has passed away.
“His death is an immeasurable loss for the labor movement and for all working women and men. Rich dedicated his life to improving the lives of American workers and their families and to fighting for the rights and respect that every working person deserves, whether they sweep floors, build skyscrapers, or teach in classrooms.
“Richard Trumka was a real fighter during a period of upheaval and tremendous attacks on labor. A working man, a unionist to the core. Gracious, tenacious, smart. I was proud to have worked with him and privileged to consider him a friend.
“On behalf of the 103,000 members of the IFT, I offer my heartfelt condolences to his family and friends at this difficult time. He will be deeply missed but never forgotten. The fight he led for the rights of all working people and the betterment of this nation endures. That’s his legacy.”
* SEIU Local 73…
SEIU Local 73 President Dian Palmer issued the following statement on the death of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka.
“Richard Trumka was a champion for working families and an outspoken advocate for social and economic justice. His work on economic advocacy spanned the globe and brought together international labor support for workers struggling for justice.”
“From fighting to end unfair trade practices to restoring U.S. manufacturing strength, Richard Trumka’s leadership and determination to improve life for all working families was a demonstration of his commitment to the labor movement. We shared his values and will continue his fight for living wages, equal pay, respect at work, safe jobs, secure retirement, and the freedom for all workers to form or join unions and bargain collectively.”
“On behalf of the members of SEIU Local 73, I send our condolences to Richard’s family. May his memory and legacy be a blessing and may he rest in power.”
* US Chamber…
U.S. Chamber President and CEO Suzanne Clark today issued the following statement after the passing of Richard Trumka, AFL-CIO President.
“On behalf of the U.S. Chamber, we are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of Richard Trumka, who was a fighter, a fierce advocate, and, above all else, a decent man who earned the respect and admiration of anyone who worked with him.
“We enjoyed many years of strong partnership on shared priorities as well as spirited debate grounded in a common desire to better our nation. Our thoughts go out to his family and the millions of active and retired AFL-CIO members who benefited from his great leadership.”
I’ll update as needed. I think one is coming from the governor, but he’s been at an event.
…Adding… I didn’t see Mayor Lightfoot’s tweet when I put this up…
…Adding… Illinois AFL-CIO…
The Illinois AFL-CIO, representing nearly 900,000 workers across the state, today issued the following statement on the passing of national AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka:
“We are saddened to learn of the passing of Richard Trumka, a true champion for working people.
Like Richard, I came up through the United Mine Workers union and the Federation of Labor, and worked with him to protect and provide for working families for more than 30 years.
He was always a powerful voice for treating workers fairly and served as a great inspiration for all of our state and local union leaders. But even in his role leading 12.5 million members strong in these challenging times, Richard Trumka never lost sight of who he was fighting for: the everyday men and women who needed good jobs to lead better lives for their families.
He made workplace safety a priority, especially during the pandemic. He understood how to work with Democrats and Republicans, to build the political support needed to keep working families in the fight. He valued social and economic justice, and I know he would be proud of the strides we are taking today in the name of equality and diversity.
We will greatly miss Richard Trumka’s fierce leadership, his undying loyalty to our values, and his sincere friendship. We keep his family in our prayers as we know he will rest in power, with a tremendous legacy.”
Tim Drea
President
Illinois AFL-CIO
…Adding… Governor…
* Sen. Duckworth…
U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) issued the following statement after the passing of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka:
“I’m deeply saddened by the tragic and sudden passing of Richard Trumka. Working families across our nation have lost a fierce advocate, one who never shied away from standing up for what was right and who worked every single day to improve the lives of millions of hard-working Americans. His legacy as a champion of working people will live on and I will do all I can to keep up the fight for working families in his honor. My deepest condolences go to his wife, Barbara, and their son, Rich Jr., during this time.”
* Sen. Holmes…
Assistant Senate Majority Leader Linda Holmes (D-Aurora) has released the following statement after hearing the news of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka passing today:
“I’m saddened to hear of President Trumka’s untimely passing, and my heart is not just with his immediate family but also with the millions of working people throughout the U.S. who have lost his leadership and his advocacy for them.
He was a legendary powerhouse who devoted his entire career to making life better for all those engaged in keeping this country moving forward. I will remember him and his tremendous influence on the American labor movement.”
Holmes serves as the Chairperson of the Senate Labor Committee.
* Comptroller Mendoza…
Every American who believes in workers’ rights, a safe workplace, and the right to earn a living wage should take a moment today to grieve the loss of Richard Trumka, a powerful fighter for the rights of working men and women. A coal miner who rose to president of the AFL-CIO, Trumka embodied what’s great and worth fighting for in the United States of America. Rest in Peace and God’s glory. We are all better off because of your life. Thank you and Godspeed.
* Sen. Durbin…
* SEIU Healthcare…
SEIU Healthcare IL, IN, MO, KS President Greg Kelley released the following statement regarding the news of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka’s passing:
The unexpected passing of AFL-CIO President, Richard Trumka has left SEIU Healthcare IL IN MO KS with a heavy heart. He was a larger-than-life figure, whose uncompromising efforts in the fight for workers’ rights have left an indelible mark on the labor movement in this country.
Trumka was a giant, not just in stature but in integrity and commitment. He believed in a strong democracy and an equitable society. He supported working families by advocating for vaccinations and workplace safety.
He spent decades speaking out about issues that truly impacted working class people. Trumka never hesitated to use his powerful voice in political and corporate arenas, championing for the rights of hard-working Americans.
We are saddened to have lost one of our greatest warriors in this battle, but we will be diligent in continuing the fight in his honor.
* US Rep. Schakowsky…
Today, Congresswoman Jan Schakowsky, a Senior Chief Deputy Whip and Chairwoman of Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, issued the following statement after the death of AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka was announced:
“I am heartbroken over the sudden, unexpected, and tragic death of my friend Richard Trumka. President Trumka’s story is one that should inspire all Americans - the son of immigrants, he went to work in a coal mine, and through hard work and determination, eventually became the most powerful labor leader in the United States.
“President Trumka’s commitment to the working men and women of this country was second to none. I was proud to work closely with him on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), representing a paradigm shift towards workers when it comes to our national trade policy.
“Today we lost a giant. We must honor his memory by fighting like hell for the working men and women of this country, never forgetting that that was his life’s purpose.”
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* Every two weeks seems like a lot of time between tests, but whatever. It’s a start…
Due to a recent increase in COVID-19 cases, Secretary of State Jesse White announced that beginning Sept. 1, Secretary of State employees who have not been vaccinated against COVID-19 will be required to submit to repeated COVID-19 testing.
“As the pandemic continues to surge nationally, we must do all we can to maintain the safety of our customers and employees and this is an important step in doing that,” said Secretary White. “I am proud of our staff for their hard work as we continue to provide essential services during this challenging time.”
Employees will be required to show proof of their vaccination status. Employees who are not vaccinated will be required to submit the results of COVID-19 tests every two weeks.
This announcement follows the implementation of White’s policy requiring all employees and customers at Driver Services facilities, Secretary of State Offices and the Illinois State Capitol Complex to wear masks while inside those locations.
White stressed that it is imperative for his facilities to remain open to serve the public to reduce the heavy customer volume caused by the COVID-19 pandemic over the last year. White said reinstating the mask policy for employees and customers, as well as this new initiative will help achieve this goal.
White is reminding customers that his office extended expiration dates for driver’s licenses and ID cards until Jan. 1, 2022. As a result, expired documents will remain valid until Jan. 1, 2022, so customers do not need to rush into a facility. This extension does not apply to commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) and CDL learner’s permits.
* And this was announced while I was on break, so I figured I’d post it now…
Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White is launching a comprehensive plan to address the heavy customer volume at Driver Services facilities due to the COVID-19 pandemic. White’s plan includes two key elements:
• Expanding the appointment pilot program in September to include most Driver Services facilities in the Chicagoland area.
• Expanding remote renewal over the next six months to allow approximately 1 million more people to renew their driver’s licenses and ID cards online, by phone or by mail. Letters will be mailed out to those who qualify beginning in September until the end of February 2022.
“During the pandemic, my office has continued to serve the public, including face-to-face transactions, in a safe and responsible manner,” said White. “Throughout this time, we also greatly expanded online services. This next step will allow many more people to renew their driver’s licenses or ID cards remotely instead of visiting a Driver Services facility. To further address the heavy customer volume at facilities, my office is expanding the appointment program in September to include most Chicagoland facilities, so customers who must visit a facility can schedule an appointment. Certain designated facilities will still accommodate walk-in customers.”
Expanding the Appointment Program
Beginning the first week of September, customers will be required to make an appointment to visit the following three Chicago facilities: Chicago North, 5401 N. Elston Ave.; Chicago South, 9901 S. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Drive; and Chicago West, 5301 W. Lexington St. The days and hours of operation at these facilities will be Tuesday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. beginning Aug. 2.
Lake Zurich, Melrose Park, Midlothian and Woodstock have been serving as appointment facilities since early this year. These facilities, which also operate Tuesday through Saturday, will continue requiring appointments.
The week of Sept. 7th, many other metro Driver Services facilities will also require appointments. These facilities include Schaumburg, Bridgeview, Lombard, Des Plaines, Waukegan, Naperville, Aurora, Plano and Joliet.
Appointments will be required for customers applying for or renewing REAL IDs, standard driver’s licenses and ID cards, and for behind-the-wheel road tests at these facilities. Customers can visit www.cyberdriveillinois.com to schedule an appointment up to 10 days in advance during this phase of the program. New appointment slots will be available each day at www.cyberdriveillinois.com.
All 16 facilities will have the same standardized days and hours of operation: Tuesday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. and Saturday from 7:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Secretary White emphasized that seniors, persons with disabilities and expectant mothers will be served as walk-ins at all 16 of the designated appointment facilities.
Beginning in September, customers can schedule an appointment online or by calling the appointment helpline at 844-817-4649. The Secretary of State is partnering with the Chicago Lighthouse to provide these call center services. The Chicago Lighthouse’s call centers offer career opportunities for people who are blind, visually impaired, disabled, veterans and economically disadvantaged.
Larger central and downstate Illinois facilities will implement a customer scheduling system in the near future.
Walk-in Facilities
White noted that not all facilities will go to the appointment-based system. Many small, rural facilities will not require the appointment system because they do not encounter the heavy customer volume that large facilities encounter.
Additionally, some Chicagoland facilities will remain accessible to walk-in customers. These facilities include Deerfield, Elgin, Chicago Central (James R. Thompson Center) and the temporary facility at Prairie State College in Chicago Heights.
Expanding remote renewal to address heavy customer volume
Beginning in September and running through February 2022, White’s office will be expanding remote renewal for driver’s license and ID card holders. During this six-month period, the office will mail letters to eligible customers with expired driver’s licenses and ID cards, requiring them to renew online, by phone or by mail. The office estimates that this will eliminate the need for approximately 1 million people to visit a facility.
In addition, White’s office will continue mailing remote renewal letters to drivers and ID card holders 90 days before their cards expire. Through this innovative approach, most customers will be able to renew remotely and avoid visiting facilities. Customers who must visit a facility include first time driver’s license or ID card applicants, first time REAL ID applicants and drivers ages 75 and older who are required by state law to visit a facility when renewing their license.
White continues to encourage people to conduct other business online at www.cyberdriveillinois.com. Aside from driver’s license and ID card renewals for those who qualify, online services include obtaining a duplicate driver’s license or ID card, ordering a driver record and purchasing license plate stickers.
As a reminder, White has extended all driver’s license and ID card expiration dates to Jan. 1, 2022. This extension does not apply to commercial driver’s licenses (CDL) and CDL learner’s permits.
In addition, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security has extended the federal REAL ID deadline to May 3, 2023.
You’ll recall that SoS candidate Alexi Giannoulias said last month that he would expand that appointment pilot program if elected.
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* Rachel Hinton at the Sun-Times…
Menstrual products will be provided free of charge at shelters for homeless people and in campus bathrooms at public universities and community colleges under pieces of legislation signed into law Thursday by Gov. J.B. Pritzker.
“Given the high price of menstrual products such as pads and tampons, it’s no wonder that many women below the poverty line have had to sacrifice their personal health and hygiene in order to afford food or other basic necessities, turning to socks and toilet paper to manage their menstrual cycle,” Pritzker said.
Pritzker was joined by the sponsors of House Bills 155, 310 and 641 which he signed Thursday at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. The bills increase access to menstrual products, necessities “which fit right alongside hand soap and toilet paper as critical hygiene care” that can make or break a student’s day, the governor said. […]
Rep. Katie Stuart, D-Edwardsville, said the legislation signed Thursday “recognizes a simple fact of biology: about half our population experiences menstruation throughout a significant portion of their lifetimes.”
“We all agree collectively that soap, toilet paper, napkins, tissues, seat covers and all those other things are provided for us in public spaces,” said Stuart, a sponsor of the legislation. “In fact, we probably don’t really ever think about it until we’re in a situation where we really need something like that, and it’s just not there. This legislation puts menstrual hygiene products in that same category, which is exactly where they belong.”
* WEHT…
HB 155 requires the Illinois Department of Human Services (IDHS) to apply for a waiver from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Food and Nutrition Service, that would pave the way for recipients of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) to use the two programs for diapers and menstrual hygiene products. This piece of legislation goes into effect January 1, 2022.
HB 641 requires all public colleges and community colleges across the state to provide free feminine hygiene products in campus bathrooms. This legislation goes into effect immediately. The Board of Trustees at Illinois colleges and universities will need to decide how these needs are funded.
* Capitol News Illinois…
House Bill 310 requires homeless shelters that serve women and youth to make menstrual hygiene products available free of charge. That requirement, however, is “subject to the availability of funds in the homeless shelter’s general budget,” according to the bill.
“I cannot personally imagine the indignity of having to use some other item as a makeshift sanitary product,” bill sponsor Sen. Christopher Belt, D-Swansea, said at the news conference. “But I believe people who have already been deprived of so much should not have to suffer that, too.”
That measure passed the General Assembly with only one vote against in the Senate and three votes against in the House. It will become law in January 2022.
Republican Sen. Terri Bryant and GOP Reps. Brad Halbrook, Chris Miller and Adam Niemerg voted “No.”
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* Delays are not optimal, but this is still good news from Greg Hinz…
Citing a flurry of last-minute interest, the city now is considering extending the period in which gambling companies can submit a bid to operate Mayor Lori Lightfoot’s proposed mega-casino, according to a source familiar with the matter.
An extension of two months or so now appears likely, and an announcement is possible by the end of the week.
Bids now are due on Aug. 23, and the mayor has faced the politically awkward possibility of getting only one bid, from a partnership of Chicago casino mogul Neil Bluhm and Related Midwest, with the facility going on Related’s The 78 development at Roosevelt and Clark. […]
Though Lightfoot has insisted there is “no hometown favorite,” awarding a pact to the Blumn/Related team without competition could generate some negative headlines, given that Bluhm’s daughter, Leslie Bluhm, has donated and raised hundreds of thousands of dollars for the mayor’s campaign fund.
Um, yeah.
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* First he spread false reports of people dying from taking the vaccine, and now this…
Gary Rabine, one of three announced GOP candidates for governor, attacked Gov. J.B Pritzker’s mask mandate for schools by falsely contending the results of a Danish study last year dismissed the efficacy of face coverings by concluding there was “no statistical advantage to those who wore masks.” […]
But Rabine went further, contending a Danish study in 2020 found that people who wore masks “were just as likely to get COVID-19 as those who didn’t.” Rabine said the study concluded there was “no statistical advantage to those who work masks.”
Rabine’s conclusion conflicts with context provided by authors of the report who said the study of 6,000 people was geared to look at a 50% difference in COVID-19 infections between those who wore masks and those who did not.
According to FactCheck.org, the authors emphasized that their results “should not be used to conclude that a recommendation for everyone to wear masks in the community would not be effective in reducing SARS-CoV-2 infections, because the trial did not test the role of masks in source control of SARS-CoV-2 infection.”
Source control means the spread of mask wearers to others, meaning the study only assessed the personal protective effect of a mask from being infected, not the potential for masks to block the spread to others, FactCheck.org noted. […]
Still, the Danish results have been misreported widely among COVID-19 deniers and those who oppose mitigation measures to contend that masking is ineffective against the virus. A number of researchers have pointed to concerns about the study, including the adequacy of COVID testing among participants and whether test subjects actually wore masks as were required.
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COVID-19 roundup
Thursday, Aug 5, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
…Adding… US Rep. Adam Kinzinger was interviewed about several things, including the mask mandate…
In regards to the state’s school mask mandate, Kinzinger said, “If that’s what keeps kids safe – all these kids aren’t vaccinated – then it’s fine to lean forward on it, as long as it’s not being done in a strong handed way, as long as it’s being done on scientific recommendations.”
* Marni Pyke…
In just one month, new COVID-19 infections more than tripled, but vaccinations dropped nearly by half, Illinois Department of Public Health data showed.
The latest mutation of COVID-19, the delta variant, is spreading rapidly, and it shows in average daily caseloads spurting from 318 in June to 969 in July across Illinois.
However, COVID-19 vaccinations shrunk from an average of 40,452 a day in June to 21,102 in July, reflecting some people’s hesitancy about getting a shot and the fact most Americans who are eligible for a dose have already gotten one. […]
On Tuesday, 26,667 more COVID-19 shots were administered. The seven-day average is 28,180.
* Notice that GOP legislators almost never say how they’d vote if a bill was in front of them. It’s mainly a deflection tactic to avoid taking a stand one way or another…
State Sen. Steve McClure, R-Springfield, said such decisions can’t be left to one person. Legislators elected by the people should be debating such issues.
“We’ve been saying from the beginning from here as well that the legislature should be involved,” McClure said. “I think hearings are important.”
* Unclear on the concept…
The governor’s direction requires masks to be worn for workers in state facilities, prisons, day care centers, and public and private schools — where students must mask-up, too. The rule kicks in Oct. 4, allowing for unions that represent state workers to negotiate the specifics.
Um, the governor’s announcement was about a mask mandate for P-12 schools and long-term care facilities and a vaccine mandate for congregate state facility workers. It was in all the papers.
* More like this, please…
The nation’s largest nursing home operator told its workers this week they will have to get COVID-19 vaccinations to keep their jobs — a possible shift in an industry that has largely rejected compulsory measures for fear of triggering an employee exodus that could worsen already dangerous staffing shortages.
The new requirement at Genesis Healthcare, which has 70,000 employees at nearly 400 nursing homes and senior communities, is the clearest sign yet that such places may be willing to take that risk amid the surging delta variant and the fact that more than 40% of U.S. nursing home workers still have not gotten the shot.
Some experts are calling for mandatory vaccinations at nursing homes, warning that unprotected staff members are endangering residents. Even residents who have been inoculated are vulnerable because many are elderly and frail, with weak immune systems.
More than 1,250 nursing home residents across the U.S. were infected with COVID-19 in the week ending July 25, double the number from the week earlier, and 202 died, according to federal data.
* Same for this…
Major hospital system Advocate Aurora Health will require all of its workers to get COVID-19 vaccines, joining a growing list of Illinois health care providers mandating the shots.
Advocate Aurora, which has 10 hospitals in Illinois, will require its workers to be fully vaccinated by Oct. 15. The system has 75,000 workers in Illinois and Wisconsin.
“Our ultimate duty is to protect the health and safety of our team members, patients and communities,” President and CEO Jim Skogsbergh told employees in a video Wednesday. “The data is overwhelming. This vaccine is safe, and it’s highly effective in preventing infection and even more so, serious illness and death.” […]
More than 50 health care organizations, including the American Medical Association, the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Nursing Association, released a statement last week supporting vaccine mandates in health care.
* Leaving it up to the locals was creating divisive local fights…
At first glance, the hurling of F-bombs, menacing threats and burly security guards whisking away unruly members of the crowds packing suburban school board meetings in recent weeks seems straight out of a reality TV show.
But the scenes are unfolding in real time across the Chicago suburbs, where concerned parents and beleaguered school district officials on Wednesday greeted Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s mask mandate with everything from anger and sadness to relief and appreciation. […]
This summer, some members of the crowd at a Barrington Community School District 220 board meeting were escorted out of the room by security, and a recent District 45 meeting in Villa Park was adjourned after a mask debate devolved into a shouting match.
* Other stories…
* Read Gov. Pritzker’s Full Remarks on New COVID Mitigations for Illinois
* Superintendent concerned Pritzker’s mask order removes local control
* ‘Hard to disagree’; Southern Illinois leaders react to Pritzker’s school mask mandate
* Area superintendents adjust on mask mandate, with changing information, governor’s update
* McLean County Schools Shift As Pritzker Issues Mask Mandate
* Gov. Pritzker issues mask mandate for indoor youth sports
* Masks Mandated at Schools, Day Cares, Long-Term Care Facilities
* Less than 2 months after lifting most COVID-19 orders, Gov. J.B. Pritzker issues mask mandate for schools and vaccine requirement for some state workers
* Illinois announces new mask rules for schools as fight against COVID-19 continues
* Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker Announces Statewide School Mask Mandate
* Pritzker orders up school mask mandate: ‘We all must take immediate and urgent action’
* Mask-optional schools in suburbs reverse course, say they’ll obey governor’s mandate
* If you went to Lollapalooza, get a COVID-19 test this week, Champaign-Urbana health department urges local residents
* Amid delta variant threat, employers step up pressure on unvaccinated workers to get COVID shots
* US plans to require COVID-19 shots for foreign travelers
* Secretary of Defense Austin to announce mandatory vaccine policy for all active-duty military
* Republican official who mocked COVID in final Facebook post dies of virus in Texas
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Question of the day, Part 2
Thursday, Aug 5, 2021 - Posted by Rich Miller
* Do you agree or disagree with the governor’s vaccine mandate for employees at the Illinois Departments of Human Services, Veterans’ Affairs, Corrections and Juvenile Justice who work in congregate facilities? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please…
bike tracks
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