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* Kane County Board Chairman Chris Lauzen…
“I cannot criticize other (levels of) government,” Lauzen said at the public health committee meeting. “If I criticize the state, it won’t be the governor who turns around and punishes us. It will be the staff members. I know the quality, or the lack of quality, of the people who make decisions about the resources that come here. They are little people. Terrible. Terrible. You won’t find me at any time criticizing the state.”
Except he just did.
Despite Pritzker’s public goal-setting more than two weeks ago for Illinois to conduct 10,000 tests per day by the middle of last week, the state has not come close to reaching that goal in the days since.
The 4,848 new test results reported by IDPH on Tuesday is fewer than half of the 10,000-test benchmark Pritzker and Ezike say will help the state predict the virus’ trajectory and spread more accurately.
So far, 110,616 Illinoisans have been tested for Covid-19, but the state is consistently falling behind testing levels recorded in other states despite starting out as a leader in testing last month.
Pritzker last week said efforts that promised increased testing abilities, including the acquisition of five high-volume RNA extractors and Chicago-based Abbott Laboratories’ much-touted “rapid tests” each came with disappointing caveats.
Chart…
* Manny Ramos at the Sun-Times…
Two nursing home workers accused two Chicago-area facilities Tuesday afternoon for wrongfully firing or suspending them after they raised safety issues.
Greg Kelley, president of SEIU Healthcare Illinois, said these were just just an example of many instances during the COVID-19 pandemic where union members’ concerns were being disregarded by nursing home owners.
Kelley said workers at Bridgeview Health Care Center and Alden Lakeland brought their concerns to management but were “disrespected, insulted and have in fact been fired” for raising issues with their employers.
“These employers seem to care more about maintaining their profits than the safety of those who live and work in their facility,” Kelley said.
* Joe Mahr at the Tribune…
A prior Tribune investigation had found that the nursing home industry — particularly in Illinois — entered the pandemic with a poor track record at preventing the spread of infections. Patient advocates and workers have long complained the industry is built on a business model of overworking and underpaying its employees, such as certified nursing assistants, and that government penalties are insufficient to force change.
Health experts have also expressed fear that a pandemic could sweep through nursing homes, and clusters of COVID-19 cases have already emerged. One, at a Willowbrook home, had killed 10 residents and sickened 25 others, as well as 19 employees, as of Tuesday, health officials said. According to Lake County officials, 24 of 50 coronavirus deaths in that county involved nursing home residents, as of Tuesday morning. […]
In an email, the facility’s administrator, Martha Peck, declined to directly address Somerville’s allegations but said the home hasn’t disciplined or fired anyone regarding use of personal protective equipment or COVID-19 concerns. “Bridgeview is committed to the safety of our staff and residents,” she said.
She said the facility emphasizes to employees the “importance of a safe environment for all and the importance of using PPE to minimize risk.” When the home has temporarily run out of supplies, it has used substitutes approved by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Peck said.
…Adding… Sigh…
Moody's puts neg outlook Ill Toll Authority's $6B of debt over impact of coronavirus outbreak …toll is indy agency but outlook reflects "the powers a state could invoke in times of fiscal stress"….including "actions that could impact fin matters at separately managed agencies
— yvette.shields@arizent.com (@Yvette_BB) April 15, 2020
* On to selected headlines from the Tribune’s live blog…
Bleak IMF forecast: 2020 will be economy’s worst year since Great Depression. ‘This is a crisis like no other.’
Blackhawks convention — originally scheduled for July 26-28 at the Hilton Chicago — is canceled
Best Buy to furlough 51,000 store employees amid coronavirus sales slump
How to get a refund for coronavirus-canceled travel, from hotline help to ‘the nuclear option’
FDA approves first saliva test for coronavirus
Unprecedented’ number of people turning to GoFundMe as a last resort during pandemic. ‘It’s like you’re putting your heart out there’
Chicago police setting up checkpoints to remind people of stay-at-home order and provide a presence in areas of violence
Getting an economic stimulus check? Trump’s signature will be on it, a break in protocol
37 immigrant children in three Chicago-area shelters test positive for COVID-19
* Sun-Times live blog…
A CTA bus driver with COVID-19 has died, the transit agency announced Tuesday, becoming the second CTA employee to die of the coronavirus.
Two more employees at the Cook County Circuit Court clerk’s office have tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the overall total to 18.
WavePads Water Rafts in Plainfield pivots to manufacturing face shields
* Roundup…
* Peoria faces possible $50 million budget deficit because of coronavirus: The city’s budget was $218 million this year. Without any assistance and if the city’s closed until July 1, it would only take in about $163 million in revenue.
* The story behind Chicago’s deep stock of COVID-fighting equipment: Chicago spent years quietly amassing more than 3.9 million N95 masks and other protective gear before the pandemic hit, and has been busy sharing its stash around.
* Officials announce two more deaths at Fair Havens Senior Living Facility
* Republicans send Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker this open letter about coronavirus
* With few powers during emergency, some Republican Illinois state lawmakers still want collaboration
* US farmers estimated to lose $20 billion in 2020 due to coronavirus crisis
* Meat prices impacted by plant closures due to coronavirus
* COVID-19 leaves livestock producers ‘in limbo’
* IDHS to close remaining local offices
* DuPage provides $85,000 to help pay for hotel rooms for the homeless
* UI dorms ready to receive health care workers if necessary
* College’s program prepares respiratory care therapists for pandemic
* What community colleges are doing with millions in federal COVID-19 relief funds
* Suburban forest preserves keep monitoring, will stay open ‘as long as people behave’
* Christian County reports fourth COVID-19 death
* Housing market is still moving, but it’s a tougher sell
posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 12:31 pm
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Chris Lauzen CPA said that? Huh. Was it an accounting question?
Comment by Proud Sucker Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 12:42 pm
Has the IDPH hired anyone new to come work in their labs?
Has the state reallocated any other qualified worker to the IDPH labs?
I think the answers to these questions are important to understand why our capacity is not increasing.
We are relying on private sector companies that likewise have their own issues and we are also running into significant issues with getting the specific supplies to expand capacity.
What has been the increase in the number of folks qualified to run these tests directly or indirectly employed by IDPH since 03/15?
Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 12:46 pm
To add — there’s a specific certification/qualification that is required to perform a COVID-19 test. Whether or not the number of folks with that qualification has increased and by what amount is an important question.
Comment by Candy Dogood Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 12:47 pm
lauzen was trumpesque before there was a trumpesque. perhaps it would be more accurate to call Trump… Lauzenesque.
Comment by gfalkes Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 12:50 pm
Chris Lauzen’s career is based on political move… of the passive aggressive slam.
It’s his calling card.
To the “Letter from the GOP” to the governor… yikes
This excerpt says so much;
=== Lastly, we are already past the time when a plan for reopening Illinois should have been unveiled. Like indefinite war, indefinite shutdown is not sustainable. Businesses in our state, large and small, need the hope associated with a projected end-date for the shut-down.===
This “brain trust” feels Illinois is “already past the time”.
Not once has the governor said this lockdown was like an indefinite war… not once. The hyperbole to choose money over lives is breathtaking, to compare social distancing that is working to an indefinite war is sadly pathetic and makes the lives saved… be less.
Congratulations, you’re trivializing what’s saving lives, comparing it to an infinite war.
Who wrote this drivel?
The projected end is when the three T’s can be adequately met, and when folks like Dr. Fauci see that states like Illinois can meet the challenge to not only be open but stave offs harsher second wave.
Who signed this… wandering piece of silly speak?
State Senators:
Paul Schimpf, Donald DeWitte, Jim Oberweis, Craig Wilcox, Jason Plummer, Chuck Weaver, Sue Rezin, Dan McConchie
These are folks lookin’ to open Illinois based on money not science… it’s already past time… wow.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 12:57 pm
To the deleted commenter who claimed DCEO issued guidance prohibiting the sale of seeds at the start of planting season: You really need to get off Facebook or at least check the Google. That rumor is not true. Don’t come back here with that nonsense.
Comment by Rich Miller Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 1:08 pm
He was always blunt and unusually partisan….meh…
Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 1:08 pm
Talked to a friend of mine in MI yesterday, this is one of the items banned for sale by their Governor…no paint either…say what?
Comment by Loop Lady Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 1:17 pm
“We are already past the time…”
California, the state that’s done the best is just starting to talk about their plan and work with neighboring states.
As to Kane County, I’ve heard health care people out that way describe their Health Department in extremely unfavorable terms in this situation so Lauzen doesn’t have any room to talk.
Comment by In 630 Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 1:27 pm
From the GOP open letter:
“A piecemeal approach is not what we or other legislators are proposing. Instead, we propose a uniform policy for the State of Illinois that will empower county health officials to make decisions on closures.”
County level decisions about shut downs or social distancing is the definition of piecemeal. The virus doesn’t care what lines we humans have drawn on a map.
Comment by Perrid Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 1:31 pm
=== County level decisions about shut downs or social distancing is the definition of piecemeal. The virus doesn’t care what lines we humans have drawn on a map.===
It’s truly drivel designed to let those who feel some sort of anger a way to think *these* senators hear them.
It’s truly… wow.
Comment by Oswego Willy Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 1:35 pm
I was almost worried because I hadn’t heard Chris Lauzen pick a dumb fight he’s going to lose in a while. I guess I’m glad to know he’s still ok….
Comment by Just Another Anon Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 1:38 pm
So Chris Lauzen thinks elected officials can rely on staffers to exact political revenge? Good to know.
Something else to know about Chris Lauzen? He’s a CPA. Not that it has any bearing on his qualifications for office, but he’s a CPA.
Comment by Socially DIstant Watcher Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 1:40 pm
=Something else to know about Chris Lauzen? He’s a CPA. Not that it has any bearing on his qualifications for office, but he’s a CPA=
Accordingly I will changing my name to “bogey golfer PE”.
Comment by bogey golfer Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 2:00 pm
Had to listen to Lauren’s schtick in legislative committee hearings. He must not do much in person campaigning, I can’t imagine anyone voting for him after meeting him in person.
Comment by LTSW Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 2:40 pm
= we are already past the time when a plan for reopening Illinois should have been unveiled.=
I’ll give these guys the benefit of the doubt and assume they wrote the letter before Pritzker discussed the three Ts yesterday. The real issue is what meaningful steps are we taking to ensure that we can deliver on the three Ts throughout the entire state. Pritzker does have a plan and it’s very similar to plans that other governors are rolling out. But we need the support and resources to make the plan a reality.
Comment by Pundent Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 2:50 pm
I’m just sitting here at my state job, minding my own biz, nobody in the office wears a mask, if one person gets covid-19 the whole IT staff will be quarantined. I can’t wait to get the you know what out of here! go ahead - Say IT!
Comment by state employee Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 3:46 pm
====Moody’s puts neg outlook Ill Toll Authority’s $6B of debt.==
I confess that I’m surprised at Moody’s basing this on fear, uncertainty, and doubt. Expecting more rational decision process.
Comment by IT Guy Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 7:27 pm
Macon County to consider furloughs, possibly up to 6 months, of some county employees:
https://herald-review.com/news/local/govt-and-politics/macon-county-board-to-consider-furloughs-due-to-coronavirus-related-revenue-loss/article_ca8b24c8-5e44-5262-9fa8-b87245fb44aa.html#tracking-source=home-breaking
Comment by Leatherneck Wednesday, Apr 15, 20 @ 9:45 pm