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New pro-Pritzker coalition forms as Chicago biz group unveils its own reopening plan

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Illinois

* Press release…

A new coalition of health, labor, aging and public interest organizations launched “Open Safe Illinois” on Thursday to amplify the voices of Illinois residents, the majority of whom support public health-driven decision making by Gov. J.B. Pritzker, the Illinois Department of Public Health, and local leaders.

While a small, vocal minority has pushed to rapidly reopen businesses and recreational activities across the state, polls show that the majority of the public remain very concerned about the coronavirus, are taking precautions, and support policy informed by the most up-to-date and relevant medical science. While many states are experiencing surges in new infections, Illinois recently had the greatest two-week decline in new cases across the country. According to data compiled by ProPublica, Illinois is the first state to meet all five of the metrics the White House suggested should be required to safely reopen.

“Gov. Pritzker’s measured, public health-driven approach has slowed the spread of COVID-19 and saved lives,” said Tom Hughes, Illinois Public Health Association executive director. “It’s critical that we stay the course and continue to make decisions based on the best available data and public health analysis.”

Illinois can look to other states, many of which just now are reaching their highest rates of infections and deaths, to see what happens if we don’t remain vigilant. Illinoisans, especially frontline workers, older adults, people with existing health conditions, and Latino and African American communities who face disproportionate risks, can’t afford a surge of infection.

The coalition boasts 25 members, including AgeOptions, AIDS Foundation Chicago, Alzheimer’s Association - Illinois Chapter, Business and Professional People in the Public Interest, Chicago Federation of Labor, Chicago Jobs Council, Citizen Action Illinois, Coalition for the Homeless, Common Cause Illinois, Elevate Energy, Everthrive Illinois, Friends of the Forest Preserves, Heartland Alliance, Illinois AFL-CIO, Illinois Association of Area Agencies on Aging, Illinois Coalition of Immigrant and Refugee Rights, Illinois Environmental Council, Illinois PIRG, Illinois Public Health Association, Prairie Rivers Network, Rainbow Push Coalition, Respiratory Health Association, SEIU HealthCare, Sierra Club Illinois, and United Food and Commercial Workers 881.

“We have not defeated the coronavirus, only slowed its spread,” said Abe Scarr, Illinois PIRG director and coalition coordinator. “Until we have an effective vaccine or treatment for COVID-19, which could take years, it’s critical that decision makers stay the course to protect the health and well-being of Illinoisans.”

The referenced poll is here. The group’s website is here.

* Meanwhile…

Chicagoans won’t be willing to return to the office until they feel it’s safe, something that will require not only widespread, subsidized testing for COVID-19 but also flexible hours, discounted parking, investments in public transit and “clear guidelines” from the government.

Limits on corporate liability, extra help for emerging minority-owned businesses, buying local and “fair property tax reform” would help, too.

That’s the formula for reopening Chicago’s economy that the city’s largest business group laid out today in a report that has its share of flowery verbiage but also is surprisingly provocative in some ways.

The Chicagoland Chamber’s report is here.

* Related…

* Hotel group leans on Pritzker to allow bigger meetings

* Arlington, horsemen strike deal to reopen racetrack

* Thinking of returning to the office? EPA flap here underlines the issues - The leader of 850 downtown workers says they’re being pressured to return to the Metcalfe Federal Building. “We’re going to fight. . . .We’re risking our lives.”

* University Of Illinois Creates Saliva COVID-19 Test With A Plan To Use It On Thousands Of Students This Fall

posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Jun 18, 20 @ 11:51 am

Comments

Those folks can find another job. Taxpayers have a right to demand they return to work if we’re paying their salaries. We’re not going to wait years for a return to normal. We can’t. Society can’t and our economy certainly can’t.

Comment by Downstate Illinois Thursday, Jun 18, 20 @ 12:00 pm
Downstate - So if an EPA employee does not have position that requires meeting the public, and they have demonstrated that they can work from home, you are advocating that these public servants be forced to work in an unsafe environment.

Got it. Glad I don’t work for you.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jun 18, 20 @ 12:08 pm
All Secretary of State employees have been back to work in the office since June 1. Still the only ones in the Capitol Complex I’m aware of that’s back at work.

Comment by Chatham Resident Thursday, Jun 18, 20 @ 12:13 pm
I’m not sure why Elevate Energy, a Comed contractor, would advocate for keeping businesses closed or opening them more slowly in order to wait for a vaccine or treatment.

Comment by Grace P Thursday, Jun 18, 20 @ 12:13 pm
Butts in seats ≠ work. I have not been in my workplace in the Capital Complex since March and I have never stopped working. In fact, I’m probably more effective now without the constant interruptions.

Comment by Sangamo Girl Thursday, Jun 18, 20 @ 12:21 pm
Must agree with Huh? - If employees can demonstrate that they can effectively and perhaps even ~ gasp ~ work more efficiently an at lower overall cost remotely allow them to continue to stay home. No employee whether private or public sector should be forced to return to a work site or environment in a situation that puts them at risk. Alternative methods for working, being productive, and moving economy forward absolutely should be explored and developed.

Comment by DownSouth Thursday, Jun 18, 20 @ 12:26 pm
“Illinois can look to other states, many of which just now are reaching their highest rates of infections and deaths”

Cases are exploding in Texas and Florida. Florida set a new record in today’s cases report. They’re growing in Oklahoma, where Trump is getting ready for his ego worship rally fix in a very unsafe setting of no PPE or social distancing requirement. These are states that right wingers in Illinois want us to emulate.

We’ve proven so far that consistency has helped us, sticking to the stay at home order and stressing practices that keep us safer. We should keep up the good work.

Comment by Grandson of Man Thursday, Jun 18, 20 @ 12:46 pm
How does this group feel about starting the baseball season?

Comment by Shoeless Thursday, Jun 18, 20 @ 1:21 pm
Has there been any indication that the Governor will reissue disaster EOs/extend disaster proclamation after June 27?

Comment by Central IL Center Right Thursday, Jun 18, 20 @ 1:51 pm
==Florida set a new record in today’s cases report==

So did California.

https://ktla.com/news/california/california-records-over-4200-covid-19-cases-hitting-new-single-day-high-during-pandemic/

Comment by City Zen Thursday, Jun 18, 20 @ 2:00 pm
I have seen dumping the office saves 10 to 17000 per employee and it’s working well. Why change it.Commercial real estate owners sure don’t like the market do they.

Comment by Not a Billionaire Thursday, Jun 18, 20 @ 2:49 pm
-Downstate- Um…. DoIT can actually track if and how much an employee is working, so please continue to besmirch all state employees without the facts.

Comment by MakePoliticsCoolAgain Thursday, Jun 18, 20 @ 3:33 pm
I think the U of I did a great job not only developing a new saliva test but coming up with a credible plan for bringing students back to campus this fall

Comment by iildoc Thursday, Jun 18, 20 @ 3:45 pm
lildoc,

And what’s going to happen when that saliva test gives a false negative?

Or a student who’s an asymptomatic carrier blows off the email they receive Friday to show up for random testing doesn’t go to the test site until just before their first class Monday morning?

I work on campus at UIUC.

I sympathize with campus officials’ need for revenue.

But I may start a pool with my coworkers: how many days after August 20th (or whatever day the students are allowed to do early move-in to the dorms) until Covid-19 gets so bad they shut down campus again?

We might do a bonus pool: what percentage of fraternities and sororities will shut down over Covid-19? Which organizations will be the first?

Comment by Lynn S. Thursday, Jun 18, 20 @ 4:19 pm
Testing at all universities will have to be mandatory 2 weeks prior to students moving onto campus. The results of the test should be sent to the university electronically via the doctor’s office.

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Comment by Nina Wietek Thursday, Jun 18, 20 @ 4:49 pm
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Comment by Nina Wietek Thursday, Jun 18, 20 @ 5:27 pm
Twitter is not going back to the office. Ever.

That will not be the only business that is going to radically rethink how they get work done in the 21st Century…which is still strikingly similar to how work got done in Bob Cratchett’s day.

Much to the chagrin of Chicago parking garage and office building owners.

Comment by Yellow Dog Democrat Thursday, Jun 18, 20 @ 6:57 pm
Many state agencies will have a tough time arguing that WFH is not feasible. The experience since the middle of March has demonstrated that it is not only feasible, but can be cost effective and efficient.

Comment by Huh? Thursday, Jun 18, 20 @ 8:11 pm
Lynn S
I understand all that you said. It will take a tremendous effort and certainly vigorous monitoring of results to have success. UIUC is my Alma Mater I certainly am hoping for success this fall. I teach at one of our professional schools and n95 masks, full PPEs are now part of our everyday life. The technology that was invented at U of I would certainly help our patients, staff, students and faculty. I wish you all the best this fall. Played a couple years of football there many years ago and the C-U area is always in my heart

Comment by Illdoc Thursday, Jun 18, 20 @ 8:23 pm
WFH is not ghost payrolling. There is no reason employees should return to work places the State or it’s contractor cannot or will not keep safe. If the employees are WFH without incident let them continue. Everyone always says government should be more like the private sector.

Comment by Annon3 Thursday, Jun 18, 20 @ 10:01 pm