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* Ever have one of those mornings when literally everything goes wrong? Yeah. That was my morning. Anyway, keep it Illinois-centric and be nice to each other, please.

…And I sent an incorrect password to subscribers. What a day.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:28 am

Comments

Five decades ago, Chicago’s own Jim Lovell also had a morning when everything went wrong. Anyone interested can listen to the events as they unfolded exactly 50 years ago. Click the blue NOW button. Should be very interesting around 9:00pm tonight. https://apolloinrealtime.org/13/

Comment by Dysfunction Junction Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:35 am
I would like to thank Blue Stream Room for their service, particularly to the numerous Easter services available.

That was helpful to so many.

OW

Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:48 am
agree with OW! and, Rich, do something nice for yourself. things can happen that you can’t control, but you can do add good into the bad. a cup of tea, a mantra to make you laugh, it’s hard, but try. hope things get better.

Comment by Amalia Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 9:51 am
According to published reports, our neighboring states of Michigan and Kentucky have been accepting applications and paying out benefits for the new unemployment benefit for self-employeds, independent contractors, and gig economy workers for over a week now.

Comment by Foundation guy Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:06 am
===for over a week now===

Two hours ago: Self-employed workers in Michigan that have been affected by COVID-19 can apply for unemployment benefits. Flipping the metaphorical switch at 8 this morning, independent contractors and gig employees struggling to find work during a statewide shelter-in-place order can now receive aid from the government. https://www.fox2detroit.com/news/independent-contractors-in-michigan-can-apply-for-unemployment-benefits-today

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:07 am
A handful of sports announcers are calling simulated games using modern video games. Not as good as the real thing but hearing familiar voices is relatively calming.

Comment by Swampy Corn Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:09 am
I sincerely hope someone at the Governor’s office is keeping track of which of their appointees and agency senior staff are doing an excellent job and which ones aren’t so that when we’re through the worst of this storm the folks that were lacking can be shown the door while the folks that rose to the occasion can be recognized and trusted with their responsibilities.

This crisis is a shakedown our governmental bureaucracies can benefit from as failures are made more apparent and are much harder to explain away.

Comment by Candy Dogood Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:12 am
I am among those state employees anxiously awaiting returning to work on May 1, unless stay-at-home and/or state office/facility closures get extended longer.

But May 1 is a Friday. Then you turn around and another weekend (unless you work at an SOS facility that has Saturday morning hours). Why can’t the Governor and constitutionals just simply decide to wait until either Monday, May 4, or even Tuesday, May 5 to reopen after the weekend? (The Tuesday reopening covers those SOS Tuesday-Saturday hours drivers facilities). That makes too much sense. But if we have to go back on Friday, then so be it. I have a feeling a lot of other state employees might get a temptation to “mail it in” for the week and ask for another day off going into the weekend.

Comment by Leatherneck Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 10:21 am
Here’s Kentucky: https://www.lex18.com/news/coronavirus/kentucky-allows-self-employed-independent-contractors-to-qualify-for-unemployment

Comment by Foundation guy Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 11:56 am
With all the trade union members applying for unemployment, the State should be doing batch unemployment applications to streamline the process and reduce the pressure of each of these individual applications. Put a deputy governor or deputy department head on it as oversight and a single point of contact.

Comment by Just Another Anon Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 12:45 pm
Leatherneck, stop worrying about silly little things.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Apr 13, 20 @ 1:15 pm