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* News-Gazette…
All employees at Rantoul Foods will begin undergoing COVID-19 testing today, according to Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Administrator Julie Pryde.
An outbreak there grew to 52 positive cases among employees Thursday, with the addition of three more.
Pryde said the Champaign occupational health practice SafeWorks Illinois would begin doing testing at the plant today, with hundreds of employees still remaining to be tested.
“I believe only about 200 of the 700 employees have been tested,” she said in a Thursday afternoon media briefing.
* This event draws a ton of people…
Southern Illinois lawmakers in an online news conference Thursday called on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to allow the Amateur Trapshooting Association to host its annual championship at the World Shooting and Recreational Complex in Sparta this summer.
State Sen. Paul Schimpf, R-Waterloo, State Rep. Terri Bryant, R-Murphysboro, and State Rep. Nathan Reitz, D-Steeleville, spoke Thursday about the impact of the Grand American not just on Randolph County, but also on the region.
Schimpf reminded meeting attendees that the ATA is in a contract with the state of Illinois to host its yearly Grand American World Trapshooting Championship at the Sparta World Shooting and Recreational Complex. 2020 would be the 15th year for the competition in Sparta. It is currently scheduled for July 31 to Aug. 15.
However, with limitations on gatherings put in place by Gov. J.B. Pritzker to curb the spread of the sometimes deadly COVID-19 respiratory virus, the ATA’s ability to hold the contest this year has been put in doubt. Schimpf said the ATA has penned two letters to Pritzker’s office asking for a definitive yes or no to hold the event by June 15. Schimpf said the group has yet to hear a reply.
* Jon Seidel at the Sun-Times…
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s battle against the coronavirus faces a new religious challenge in federal court, this time from churches in Chicago and Niles opposing his Restore Illinois plan and insisting on the right to worship with extensive social distancing guidelines in place.
Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church in Chicago and Logos Baptist Ministries in Niles asked for a temporary restraining order Friday. Just last week, a church west of Rockford launched a similar but unsuccessful challenge that has moved on to the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.
But the latest lawsuit points to Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan — unveiled just this week — and the two churches laid out proposed social distancing guidelines they would implement if allowed to move forward.
* WICS TV…
Governor Pritzker, D-Illinois, announced on Wednesday that the state fairs likely won’t be happening.
Besides being a week of fun for Illinois residents, the state fair drives tourism in Springfield over the summer. The hospitality industry has already been hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“There’s no substitute for consumer demand,” said Todd Maisch, the president and CEO of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. “If you take one of the biggest sources for consumer demand out of the Springfield economy. There’s just no replacing that.”
Local restaurants and businesses also would lose out on tourism dollars they usually see in the summer
* From the Tribune’s live blog…
Lightfoot lays out five-phase plan for reopening Chicago
Coronavirus pandemic causes Via ride-share service to temporarily shut down in Chicago
Oak Parker stages Zoom plays as COVID-19 benefits, casting them with millennial Hollywood
Local Muslim community to break fast during Ramadan with virtual iftar Saturday
CSO cancels remainder of 2020 season
‘It’s one thing to survive the infection, but what’s next?’ Some COVID-19 patients need rehab to walk, talk and problem solve
US unemployment hits 14.7%, highest rate since Great Depression
Smaller Illinois businesses are landing loans in round two of the federal PPP, but doubts remain about reopening
Two local churches challenge governor’s coronavirus rules, arguing for right to worship
Chicago’s Poetry Foundation is sitting on millions — a petition asks it to do more in response to the pandemic
Mayor’s office closes Cook County Forest Preserve golf courses within city limits for the remainder of May
Numerous Kane and Kendall nursing homes that failed to follow infection control rules now have COVID-19 cases
Reopening Illinois: Everything you need to know about getting back to normal at gyms, the office, restaurants and more
Devices for electronic monitoring run out in Cook County amid efforts to drastically reduce jail population
Mysterious illness potentially related to COVID-19 has surfaced in some Illinois children, doctors say
Gov. J.B. Pritzker says upgrades should speed things up at state agency overwhelmed by unemployment claims amid pandemic shutdown
The viral video “Plandemic” is the latest COVID-19 conspiracy theory. Here are 4 things to know about Judy Mikovits, the long-ago discredited researcher featured in the film.
* Sun-Times live blog…
Lightfoot determined to open CPS schools this fall
Mayor Lori Lightfoot details plan to reopen Chicago
Artists honor first responders with murals in Medical District
NASCAR cancels next month’s event at Chicagoland Speedway as part of revised schedule
Economy vs. epidemiology? Pritzker gears reopening to science and saving lives – but business leaders call plan ‘misguided’
Churches target Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan in new federal court challenge
Chicago-area singer has been trapped on a cruise ship for 2 months
Child stricken with mysterious illness linked to COVID-19 being treated at Chicago area hospital
Groups demand better pay, protections for front-line workers during pandemic
Essential workers include those who clean our wastewater to protect our environment during pandemic
Illinois craft brewers get creative to boost slumping sales
posted by Rich Miller
Friday, May 8, 20 @ 1:52 pm
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The fairs are mandated by statute, so I imagine a bill to suspend them, as was done in WW2, will probably be an agreed-consent bill in the abbreviated May/June session. No other way to go, really. I feel bad for the kids competing in the county and state fairs. But a national disaster has to take precedence.
Comment by Give us Barabbas Friday, May 8, 20 @ 2:14 pm
ATA has been holding our DNR and the WSRC hostage from day 1 - here we go again.
Comment by DownSouth Friday, May 8, 20 @ 2:16 pm
==Grand American World Trapshooting Championship at the Sparta World Shooting==
Bringing lots of people from around the country in for a big event. What could possibly go wrong?
Comment by Pot calling kettle Friday, May 8, 20 @ 2:31 pm
Pot calling kettle - and in other years a fair sized contingent of international shooters as well.
Comment by DownSouth Friday, May 8, 20 @ 2:42 pm
===Schimpf said the ATA has penned two letters to Pritzker’s office asking for a definitive yes or no to hold the event by June 15. Schimpf said the group has yet to hear a reply.====
Not sure what Schimpf is complaining about. The group itself said they want to know by June 15th. When I look at my calendar that is over a month away. A lot can change, good or bad, and the state can make their decision by then.
Comment by Been There Friday, May 8, 20 @ 3:03 pm
“ATA has been holding our DNR and the WSRC hostage from day 1 - here we go again.”
What the… I was around when the DNR and local politicians put on a full court press to get the ATA to come to Sparta- promising them the moon and untold riches to the area as a result. DownSouth you couldn’t have your history more wrong.
Comment by Leave a Light On George Friday, May 8, 20 @ 3:04 pm