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* The Sun-Times editorial board has been asking all legislative candidates this question…
What grade — “A” to “F” — would you give Gov. J.B. Pritzker for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic? Please explain. What, if anything, should he have done differently?
* House Republican Leader Jim Durkin avoided giving Pritzker a grade…
Being Governor in Illinois is a tough job on the best of days, and I do not envy the choices a governor has to make. However, we have seen Governor Pritzker put over a million Illinois residents out of work with the stroke of a pen without having a functional unemployment system. To this day, the IDES system is a complete disaster and it’s at the expense of those who are desperate to put food on the table for their families.
We all understand that we are living in unprecedented times, but the General Assembly is a co-equal branch of government and should be doing its job. The Governor continues to run state government via executive order over and over again. Myself and my colleagues from both sides of the aisle did not abdicate our constitutional responsibilities during this pandemic. Our governor cannot rule with unilateral authority.
* Freshman Democratic Rep. Diane Pappas also deferred..
I am grateful that our governor has chosen to listen to the advice of public health experts, scientists, doctors, and epidemiologists when making these very difficult decisions. I can appreciate that none of his decisions – whether I’ve agreed with them or not – have been easy, and that every possible solution and decision came with very real pros and cons. I think it’s clear when looking at Illinois’ data as compared to other states that didn’t rely on the science that we likely avoided an even greater crisis by focusing on medical science-based decision making rather than making the “easy” political decisions.
Unfortunately, what is in reality a very real public health crisis has been weaponized and used as a political tool across our nation. Rather than making decisions based on science and fact, our national response has been haphazard, confusing, and dismissive of the advice of the experts on the frontlines of this fight.
* Republican Rep. Mark Batinick (a Tier One target) was an early advocate for a mask-wearing mandate…
Solid B. The Governor acted relatively quickly to halt the spread of the pandemic. Decisions made hastily aren’t usually perfect but in this instance there was definitely more good than bad. The Governor certainly listened to some of my suggestions. I was the first elected state official to push for the use of face coverings indoors. I started a local campaign and gave away PPE to help make that happen. He acknowledged my efforts publicly several times. Being a Republican pushing early for the use of masks also made it much easier for him to implement their use statewide. People forget that early in the Pandemic there was a lot of pushback against the face covering requirement. It is always helpful for significant policy decisions to have bi-partisan support. My initial conversations to him about this were the end of March with an open letter mid-April. The requirement was put in place at the beginning of May. I wish it has been put in place even sooner.
Big box stores were allowed to stay open and sell all of their items while small businesses selling the same items were not. Not only was this not fair it put more people in fewer places. That is harmful not helpful. The picking of winners and losers should not have been allowed. I have filed legislation to eliminate this practice.
But the issues at Illinois Department of Employment Security alone make it impossible to give him and “A”. The calls to my office for people waiting months to receive benefits during this difficult time was massive. That is completely unacceptable. There were also many calls to my office over fraudulent use of their names to receive benefits. People who didn’t deserve benefits were getting them while people who were desperate did not.
His Democratic opponent offered up no grade.
* GOP Rep. Amy Grant represents what used to be Jeanne Ives’ district…
As a former teacher, I think I’ll answer this more in a pass/fail grading scale. The Governor passes, but not with flying colors. I watched the daily updates carefully for several weeks. His constant criticism of the federal response distrurbed me since I saw with my own eyes that a hospital was built at McCormick Place within days and the hospitals and facilities in my district were getting much needed supplies. I was truly grateful for all of the responses at all levels of government with the extreme pressure and uncertainty of the crisis. Being mapped into an area with all of Chicago and Cook County for advancing through the Governor’s phases struck me as particularly unfair considering the vast differences between cases in DuPage vs. Cook. That has been rectified, so I’m grateful for the more appropriate change. I wish the Governor nothing but good fortune in leading this effort. I do so hoping and praying that he will make appropriate decisions for appropriate areas going forward. I don’t wish to criticize anyone who’s truly trying their best to help.
Her Democratic opponent did not grade Pritzker.
* Appointed Republican Rep. Brad Stephens is another Tier One target…
C. I was initially very supportive of the Governor’s response to Covid-19 and applauded him for moving decisively in an incredibly uncertain and unprecedented time. That said, as time went on I was frustrated with some inconsistencies in the reopening plan which created confusion and uncertainty over our path forward. Additionally the lack of organization and responsiveness from IDES has been unacceptable. Our district has been disproportionately impacted by this pandemic due to the high number of restaurant, hospitality, and gig economy workers. In late March I held a teletownhall for our residents with staff from IDES to help provide information on unemployment assistance and other services. Five months later my offices still receive calls and emails daily from constituents who are unable to get their deserved benefits or even a response from IDES - the State of Illinois must do better.
His Democratic opponent did not grade the governor.
* Republican Tim Ozinga is hoping to replace retiring GOP Rep. Margo McDermed…
F — Governor Pritzker has moved the goal-posts on restrictions and requirements for all working-class individuals in the state. He condemned our elderly to a death sentence, keeping them locked down in COVID incubators, and was fine with Illinois’ economy going even further in the gutter. His only solution (it isn’t one) is a federal bailout. All the while, Pritzker has directed $55 million towards his efforts to pass a progressive tax that will hurt small businesses and working families even more. Governor Pritzker’s COVID regions put in place for his phases across the state were short-sided and indicative of his familiarity with the state of Illinois outside of Chicago.
His Democratic opponent gave the governor an “A.”
* The Question: What grade — “A” to “F” — would you give Gov. J.B. Pritzker for his handling of the coronavirus pandemic? Take the poll and then explain your answer in comments, please…
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:22 pm
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I think Batnick pretty accurately expressed my thoughts.
Ozinga’s response was a joke.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:26 pm
“I think Batnick pretty accurately expressed my thoughts.”
The very same.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:29 pm
C plus. A minus if we’re grading on the Cuomo Curve.
Comment by City Zen Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:31 pm
B. Lots of impressive things done, but IDES can’t be ignored (although, if you read the political news in the other 49 state capitols, many are actually doing worse than IDES).
Comment by Anyone Remember Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:35 pm
I voted C. But I don’t believe we will know good or bad for years. This IMO, is truly a situation where I think history will have to tell us how this was handled.
Comment by BlueDogDem Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:35 pm
My biggest difference is that I thought he should have had the GA formally endorse his extension of Emergency Powers.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:38 pm
I give him a B. Would have been an A but for IDES and some of the mitigation efforts recently have been a moving target. Pritzker mobilized a response at a time when the federal government didn’t or wouldn’t take responsibility. That’s no small feet.
Comment by Pundent Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:39 pm
B. Samesies. Rep. Batinick laid it out well.
Comment by yinn Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:40 pm
I gave a B. The initial response was right on, they were doing everything right on. Ramping everything up to a shutdown. giving warnings. Some of the IDES issues probably can’t be helped. Some could of, and by now it needed to be working. I also think somewhere one the summer IDPH and ISBE lost some focus. So, as I think about it, B-, early action helped a lot.
Comment by frustrated GOP Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:41 pm
B - see Batinick response.
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:42 pm
I’ll give him a B, mainly because of IDES, but I doubt anyone else in this state could’ve done better and with the federal government working against us.
Comment by Wensicia Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:44 pm
D and that is generous IDES debacle, Contact tracing staffing failures (Promised 4000 in June),
cockamamie sports risk and level details, Using EO powers with impunity, knowing that the GA would sit back and do nothing.
Comment by Donnie Elgin Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:46 pm
I have him a B - because of the IDES mess. Without that, I would give the governor an A for handling this crisis. He has been proactive throughout this crisis and I thank him for that.
Comment by West Wing Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:48 pm
A-minus. But it may just be over a difference of opinion; he’s been what I’d consider more than patient with the scofflaw businesses, and I think had some local Public Health Inspectors yanked a few bar and restaurant licenses for a week or so, early in the game, the escalations we see in scofflaw non-compliance with masks and etc. today would be less of a problem.
On IDES, I think it’s fair to say that was a mishigas handed to him by the preceding administration, and yes, it was never designed to handle this kind of load. The under-performance there is troubling and needs redoubled efforts. I’m sure that’s happening, but fixing it is going to take time.
Nobody can explain to me why the contact tracer hiring isn’t further along; this is basically a perfect entry level job akin to telemarketing boiler rooms, following a script and instructions from an experienced agent, at least at the first level. And there are people out there ready to take that job on.
But you know, the initial response was everything you would want in a good governor, and we’ve done well, better than many, during this.
Comment by Give Us Barabbas Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:49 pm
I’m going to go with a pass/fail and say pass.
It’s been a hundred years since the last pandemic. He showed up, listened to the experts ever changing advice. Should he have encouraged masks sooner? Yes. Should he have let small businesses open under the same rules as big ones- Yes. Should he have prevented indoor dining and bars longer / yes. But when you don’t have a road map, you do the best you can. Google maps isn’t always perfect either.
As for the elderly. Just what is it people think we should do?.
People died because the places were open and the virus made its way in. Now people want to open them up. Okay but when you expose your parents via a visit and they then infect mine in the dining hall… what then? When my parents( assisted living) go to the restaurant down the street and then infect your parents during bingo ….
Comment by thoughts matter Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:50 pm
Is that Tim Ozinga’s application to join the Eastern Bloc?
Comment by OurMagician Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:53 pm
D-
IDES failures, played politics with metro east mitigation and nursing home deaths
Comment by 61462 Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:54 pm
” But the issues at Illinois Department of Employment Security alone make it impossible to give him and “A”. ”
Perfectly phrased. His grade — and this statement — align with my own thoughts.
Comment by thunderspirit Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:54 pm
Gave him a B. Early on I thought he deserved an A and right now probably a C, hence the B grade.
Comment by pool boy Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:55 pm
Durkin complains about IDES. However, his friend Rauner promised to upgrade all the computer systems in State Government and did not get the job done.
Comment by jimbo26 Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:56 pm
C
Good - quick and decisive action.
Bad - lack of communication on why he made those decisions, and lack of empathy for the damage caused by those decisions. Also too quick to take a dig at Trump, which isn’t productive.
Also bad - lack of long term plans for the consequences of his decisions. What help is being offered to businesses forced to close, or landlords forced to give away free housing?
Comment by Just Me 2 Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:56 pm
B seems right. Pundent articulated my thoughts more precisely than I could have.
Comment by The Doc Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:57 pm
D- see Donnie Elgin’s response.
Comment by Tynie Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:57 pm
Since there is nothing comparable A seems like the best choice. Only similar event was the task of keeping vets alive and we all all know GovJunk got an F and still waiting for coverup investigation to end.
Comment by Annonin' Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:57 pm
Ditto on Batnick. Plus the criticisms of the Federal response included more political invective than was needed for times like these. Should have invoked the Michelle Obama Maxim (”When they go low, we go high.”)
Comment by Southside Markie Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 12:58 pm
B: Hard to really give him a grade given the lack of examples to compare the COVID-19 crises to. I do believe he continues make hard choices using the best advise he gets from the experts.
You can’t fault him for pandering to voters given the anger many of them display toward him and his restrictions.
The mess as IDES prevents me from giving him an A.
Comment by Give Me A Break Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:00 pm
I give him and his team an A. He took a serious response to it immediately. Mobilized a whole of IL government response. Resisted incredible pressure to take the easy approach. And even avoided the pitfalls with nursing homes that were not avoided by people Cuomo.
As to IDES, that’s a mess. It’s been a mess. He’s trying to cleanup the mess with 20th century technology but it takes time. So I give him so slack on it.
Comment by Chicago Cynic Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:00 pm
Rich,
I think this is a great question and I’m enjoying reading what my colleagues and commenters are saying.
I would give the Governor an A.
There’s no manual on how to handle a pandemic. Frankly, the Governor has stood in the face of critics and the President who’ve bucked science and common-sense attempting to make this about a larger political issue. From day one, Pritzker has made this about public safety. He continues to be a strong voice in this area.
The fact that I still get emails from people who refuse or think the efforts around mask-wearing is a violation of his/her rights is frightening. I agree with Rep. Batinick 100% and had many conversations with him around the mask-wearing mandates. Despite what was very difficult for Batinick he held firm and did a lot of things to help in the early stages.
The issues with IDES have been well-documented. My office was inundated with calls around this issue. I go back to what I said about the Governor not having a manual on a pandemic and don’t think his efforts should be judged on this one troubled area. He wanted what’s best for the people of Illinois, and the challenges we faced didn’t come from a lack of effort.
Comment by Jonathan Carroll Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:05 pm
I’ll say B+ on a non-inflated grade scale. After the initial lockdowns I really wish he’d have been more forceful on enforcing mask mandates (and still do), but to my pleasant surprise the positivity rate has stayed under control to-date (and his working the state’s relationship with Abbott may have paid off in the new expanded rapid testing.
Comment by lake county democrat Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:07 pm
I give him an “A”. A grade should be assigned in comparison to what is going on in the other 49 states and developed countries. We had zero leadership from Washington. States surrounding Illinois reveal what substandard leadership looks like. Pritzker has not been perfect, but we are lucky he is our governor.
I see many “Pritzker Sucks” signs up in our downstate region. These signs were erected early on when some of the most rural counties thought they were being forced by “Chicago” politicians to adopt unfairly restrictive policies. Many people in these communities refused to wear masks or take the pandemic seriously. Several of these rural counties now have infection rates as high, or even higher, than urban Illinois counties. Interestingly, I note that at least a couple of the “Pritzker Sucks” signs have been removed by the homeowners who put them up. Their Trump 2020 signs are still there, though.
Comment by Scamp640 Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:11 pm
Solid B. For anyone grading JB lower than a C, what grade would you give the feds and/or would any of the five bordering states score higher?
Comment by Jocko Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:13 pm
B+. Only some demerits for IDES, contact tracing, and the lack of consistency regarding who needs to follow guidelines. He should have smacked down a little harder on some groups and individuals who waved their freedom flags, although I admit more blowback might have resulted if he had done so. Generally very praiseworthy.
Comment by Jibba Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:14 pm
A-
From the start Pritzker has relied heavily on the advice of health experts. Listening to his daily briefings it was clear he knew the damage that the virus was causing and understood the consequences of his actions, and no matter how bad the damage from the actions, it would pale in comparison to the damage from taking no actions - or politically motivated ones.
As to Batinicks response, at the start of march his staff was busy on social media posting how this was either a hoax or just an overblown flu. His inaction in reigning in his own supporters caused immeasurable damage in propagating the virus in the region of his district.
Anyone who stopped by plainfield in his district in the past 5 months has seen the general lack of masks in public places, and bars being packed to the capacity limits.
Batinick might have been the best response out of the republican crowd, but lets not forget how low that bar is. I will say a good thing about him is that he hasn’t joined in trying to sue the state, even if there was chatter about joining those lawsuits against the state in plainfield board meetings from his supporters. But again, that’s a low bar for him to clear.
Comment by TheInvisibleMan Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:15 pm
C-. He still keeps preempting my wife’s soap opera at noon which makes her unhappy. And if she’s not happy…
Comment by The Magnificent Purple Walnut Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:15 pm
I give the Governor an A+—the IDES fiasco is because the agency has been neglected for over 20 years. Can you imagine how this would have played out under any of the 3 previous governors?
Comment by Pyrman Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:20 pm
B with caveats. He should have been more aggressive with restaurants/retailers refusing to initially comply about wearing masks (April and May was bad about mask compliance in Springfield). This with the IDES fiasco, while not his own making, is ultimately is his responsibility.
Comment by AnonymousFool Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:20 pm
Gave him a B. Was tempted to change to A after reading all the Republican whines and lies.
Comment by Collinsville Kevin Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:22 pm
I voted B, but it really should be a B+, verging on an A. Pritzker acted quickly and decisively in the early days of the pandemic, and has continued to maintain an even keel. Some of the issues cited by others–big box stores being open but small businesses closed, etc.–are the kind of imperfect decisions you make when things have to happen fast. Republicans grouse he hasn’t consulted with the legislature enough, but all his actions were permitted by law.
On the other hand, IDES is a mess, and untangling it is crucial to keeping the state economy going. (I don’t get the impression it was a model of efficiency before COVID-19, either.) Pritzker has to own that. And in fairness to him, he’s been pretty good about admitting when he’s made a mistake.
Comment by Benjamin Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:22 pm
The goal line moved a couple times when it didn’t need to. Communication was average about decision making and ways of getting information out. Some real problems with IDES hurt the actual grade for sure. Would have been better off doing a mask mandatory statement sooner, the science was there all along.
That said he wasn’t afraid to put himself in the target range. He accepted the role of trying to find solutions. The effort good.
Overall C+ while effort and showing work is great getting the right answers is the most important piece.
Comment by Frank talks Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:23 pm
B because of the IDES issues. The word reform doesn’t mean much in this state, but Pritzker should look at these failings as opportunities to make some changes.
Comment by Chicagonk Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:27 pm
=There’s no manual on how to handle a pandemic.=
Well…actually there was. The Obama administration left one for the Trumpeteers but they don’t read…books.
I will say it is quite the knee slapper when I hear our Raunerite posters gripe about IDES. The current administration should have done more to get this fixed, but Rauner spent four years and gobs of pinstripe welfare money and never improved it one iota.
Comment by JS Mill Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:28 pm
D. The combination of IDES and then the ISBE/IDPH mismanagement of guidance for reopening schools continues to cause unnecessary hardship.
Comment by Right Field Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:28 pm
He did a lot of things well, but looking at the failures leads me to think a D is an appropriate grade.
While IDES was a mess, some of the mess was caused by the agency losing folks and poor IT work done that happened under Gov. Bruce. This mess went on for too long under Team Pritzker so a D for IDES.
The Nursing Home is the main reason I think an overall D is a fair grade. 271 or so unanswered or unaddressed complaints under Team Pritzker deserves a solid F. The fact that a Town had to sue to get IDPH to do it’s job is not a plus. Also the lack of transparency bothers me. The appointment of an Attorney to look into this problem area by Pritzker does little to help the families and nursing home personnel that suffered such grief and losses.
When the virus activity started in Illinois and we thought we needed hospital beds and the fact that a hospital had to sue to get paid might also be a problem Team Pritzker didn’t cause but I remember the response from the presser person at IDES was disappointing in that it seemed to blame the victim- in this case the hospital.
McCormick place tent city for 66 million was a huge waste of money.
Pluses includes the energy he displayed in communicating and answering questions as well as the Doctor he supported who heads up IDPH .
Hindsight is always 20/20, but am hopeful he can get up to an A by the time this pandemic is over.
Comment by Back to the Future Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:28 pm
B- Batnick got it right. He cares and follows the science. Could improve consensus building and include legislative leaders at the news conferences. This would have shown a united front.
Comment by illinifan Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:30 pm
B - best he could do with what he was given. Having worked for Public Health for over a quarter century, I have seen the resources reduced most years. It hasn’t been a priority for some time. The only question is will we learn to respect public health issues in the future and do something about it.
Comment by RetiredStateEmployee Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:33 pm
a D and I’m being generous. Wasted tens of millions on over reacting with the purchase of a vacant Springfield hospital that was never used and the McCormick Place debacle that served what, 37 patients.
The Feds gave IL plenty of PPE and all he did was constantly whine.
Cases are climbing all over the state. Feds gave him plenty of money for testing,there aren’t enough testing sites and results were(are) being returned 3-6 days later.
Don’t even get started on the IDES issue. Other states handled things with ease. Illinois is &456$@&.
Comment by Petey L. Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:34 pm
Have to say a B. The Gov led a State through a crisis not seen before. He acted on the information available to him at the time decisions were made. Some of that information would later change. Some was correct, some was not correct, but it was what he had to base decisions on at the time, and he did. As new information came about, including things that contradicted what was given to us early on, he made adjustments. And continues to make adjustments as what we know changes as we move further along. He wasnt always right, but when you make tough decisions based on something thats never happened before, those mistakes will be made by whoever is in charge.
Only negative has been injecting too much politics into his speeches and briefings. If he had not fallen into that trap would have been solid A.
Comment by SOIL M Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:38 pm
===Other states handled things with ease===
Yeah? Which ones? And include links because that would be news to me.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:41 pm
Solid B. The woes at IDES and the prolonged roll-out of the contact tracing program keeps the Governor outside of the A range.
Comment by MakePoliticsCoolAgain Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 1:47 pm
A. I’m not the biggest JB fan. The toilet thing really bothers me but he has done a great job with Covid 19.
Comment by Frumpy White Guy Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 2:00 pm
A! He has stepped up to the plate; even when there is major pushback to ensure the safety of our citizens. We are all lucky to live in this state. For all the Pritzker Sucks signs, I see 2 or 3 - Thank you Governor Pritzker ones. Keep going Governor!
Comment by EqualLobbyist Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 2:06 pm
Genetleman’s C minus
Illinois ranks 7th in total COVID deaths
11th in deaths per million of population
5th in tests
Only 9 states have higher unemployment
He approached the issue just like he did with the minimum wage and many other issues- one size fits all
The Illinois legislature totally abandoned it’s constitutional duty by letting JB extend his 30 day rulings indefinitely
He blamed the Feds for everything and refused to take responsibility for his administrations many mistakes
Comment by Lucky Pierre Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 2:10 pm
If we were grading on a curve using the performance of all governors, I’d give him an A. He is clearly one of the best. On a straight scale, I’d give a him a B+, largely because of IDES. The mess at IDES isn’t his fault but more resources should have been directed toward fixing the obvious issues. The other issue is insufficient contact tracing, which appears to be a problem nearly everywhere.
Comment by Rachel Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 2:22 pm
Oh - Lucky Pierre -,
The United Stares ranks 1st in total COVID deaths
Yet, you’re a Trumpkin.
That makes no sense.
With your logic, Pritzker should be B+ at least.
To the post,
The Governor gets a B-
The problems at IDES, and with nursing homes and contract tracing, they without question move outside an A
Those needing to ding on McCormick Place or other precautions, you’d be the first to say how unprepared the Governor was so your partisan silliness has no grounds.
The Governor should be commended for leadership, and always trying to keep the best interests of people over money center of all decisions.
Illinois is lucky to have Gov. Pritzker, at a B- in his grade.
Comment by Oswego Willy Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 2:42 pm
Governor JB rates a B for effort. Was in farm country in Illinois at a social event and I was the only one wearing a mask. No comments or eye rolls were directed my way. But I was ready.
Wish more people would comply with the protocols.
Comment by Rudy’s teeth Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 2:54 pm
I gave him an A because he is doing a good job with what he had available. I believe that we would have done much better if certain people had not decided to make this health crisis a political cudgel. If I ever decide to leave Illinois, it won’t be over taxes or corruption, it will be over the break down in basic civilty.
Comment by Fishingvest Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 3:00 pm
B. Batnick nailed it.
Comment by CubsFan16 Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 3:03 pm
I’d have to go low B maybe B-. The IDES debacle has certainly taken points off the score, also the Metro East situation hasn’t helped his score.
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 3:03 pm
A
After taking over from a governor that underfunded and decimated state agencies and then had a president do the same thing to federal agencies that are designed to help in situations like this and bury his head in the sand to the realities of this virus and then still refuse to coordinate a response and ramp up production of PPE and equipment which would have also helped the economy he has done a fantastic job as one of the same voices in IL.
Which sadly not enough folks are listening to as the spread continues.
Comment by Reality check Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 3:10 pm
At least a B - Can’t be Perfect in Crisis with ever changing conditions and the Quarterack must adjust - so credit given for effort
Comment by Red Ketcher Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 3:15 pm
==. Illinois ranks 7th in total COVID deaths
11th in deaths per million of population
5th in tests
Only 9 states have higher unemployment==
We are 5th or 6th in population. So I fail to understand your logic here. What did you expect us to be? Especially since we have Chicago/Cook County, collar counties and Metro East - very densely populated areas where social distancing is difficult. Were we somehow supposed to have numbers like South Dakota?
Comment by thoughts matter Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 3:17 pm
A. Strong communication, telling so many things they didn’t like and sticking with the science and the health professionals. IDES was crippled when Pritker took office. More time is required to fix it. Evaluating its operating level by the end of the year will be a reasonable measure of his success (or failure). There is too much 20/20 hindsight in many comments. A once in a hundred year pandemic with virulent opposition from opposition party and sabotage from the federal government requires extraordinary leadership and Pritzker rose to the challenge.
Comment by Froganon Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 3:23 pm
=If I ever decide to leave Illinois, it won’t be over taxes or corruption, it will be over the break down in basic civilty.=
I will not debate the break down in civility in society. It is self evident.
However, suggesting that greener pastures exist on the civility front in another State is likely an exercise in being disappointed.
Comment by Upon Further Review Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 3:27 pm
I agree with Make Politics…
With the exception of getting IDES on course and his handling of Metro-east, I’d give him an A.
If the Governor would like to improve his grade, I’d recommend he spend 3-4 days with the folks in Metro-east and Kankakee - take the heat and convince people that following the advice of public health professionals is the best strategy, even if it’s painful in the immediate term.
Comment by Commonsense in Illinois Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 3:28 pm
C+
J.B. was fairly quick to react and has made mostly balanced decisions based on the science, not politics.
But…he usually waited for another gov to make the move first. A leader needs to be willing to be the first.
He caved to those pushing to allow religious gatherings when pressured by a lawsuit (that he would have won), and spun it as a mere clarification.
IDES has been a disaster.
And lastly, the administration has played it too close to their vest, not even pretending to be looking for stakeholder input or giving a real heads up when changes to restrictions are coming down the pike. Communication matters.
Comment by Alcap One Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 3:31 pm
Solid B, very grateful that he is in office instead of Rauner.
Dinged a grade for nursing homes and caving on churches.
Comment by GregN Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 3:50 pm
I wrote two letters to Governor Pritzker about handwashing and the spread of disease. The first letter was dated August 5, 2019. The second letter was dated March 16, 2020. No response to either letter. Hmmmm….a ruler across the knuckles maybe.
Comment by The plumber Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 3:54 pm
I would make it an A+ if I could…given the fact that Pritzker had to fight for it…at every step…locally, regionally and nationally.
Comment by Dotnonymous Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 4:20 pm
B. Agree with GregN about churches.
Look, this guv was going to be attacked by Repubs no matter what he did. But he listened to scientists right from the get-go then acted on that advice.
To paraphrase Lincoln, “You can’t please all of the people all of the time.”
Comment by Streator Curmudgeon Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 4:30 pm
B
On the information available and with a complete lack of help from Washington, he made very real efforts. He closed down at the right time and opened when it became necessary.
The one aspect where literally every involved from Trump to CDC to the states to mayor is nursing homes. All were far too late to recognize the problem and all failed to act.
Comment by Gooner Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 4:56 pm
What scientists and doctors knew and said in March is not always the same as what they know and say about the disease and transmission and treatment today. On this basis I don’t think it’s really possible to grade Pritzker’s response to Covid except to say I think he has tried to do the right thing. History will tell the tale. No question his response is more reasoned than Cuomo’s in NY.
Comment by Responsa Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 4:57 pm
I gave him a “B,” but after reading the comments am inclined to raise that grade.
The Gov was faced early on with a super-spreader event not of his making (the chaos at O’Hare in mid-March); he had to deal, unfortunately, with a significant part of the state that didn’t believe in basic public health measures in a time of pandemic; he continues to have to deal with the serious repercussions from neighboring states, particular those to the west, over which he has no control; re: IDES, everyone knew it was an inadequate legacy system, and as much as we say “he should have done x, y or z,” when you crush an already-inadequate system with the unemployment claims Illinois had to process, even hiring extra people (who needed training) wouldn’t have been adequate.
For those who gave him a “C,” “D,” or “F,” I’d be interested in hearing which governor(s) you feel have done a better job than Pritzker (who, we should remember, had been in office a year when the pandemic struck). The Gov of South Dakota? of Florida? of Iowa? of California? of Texas? … I I could go on and on and on.
Illinois had big-state problems like NY and CA, and small-state problems with its population’s disbelief in the virus, like Iowa. He had to deal with, essentially, two states with completely different attitudes towards the virus and its reality.
Nominations for “x-Governor did great” welcome.
Comment by dbk Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 4:58 pm
B+. 70% in the poll give JB an A or B. If I were a politician, I’d take that to the bank. And LP, Illinois is 5th in population, so we are better than other states despite having an early peak when more deaths occurred due to lack of equipment and treatment options. I’d say things have been as good as they could be, given that so many refuse to comply with sensible behavior. Not JB’s fault.
Comment by Jibba Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 5:01 pm
Tim Ozinga thinks he hit a home run when he started out on third base. His “F” will be very popular with some segments of the 37th. I give the governor a solid B. Ozinga will probably get elected and he will probably be as successful as McDermed. That’s not saying much.
Comment by 37th District constituent Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 5:37 pm
An “A” for Action…. he saw the crisis, listened to the science a took action to protect the health and safety of a fractious populace.
Of course, I couldn’t help but ask myself,”What Would Rauner Do?”, and in my mind I saw that deer-in-the-headlights look flash in my mind. At that point I had to give an A for Action and Leadership.
Glad he is my Governor.
Comment by Leading InDecatur Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 5:53 pm
C plus grade, the Gov (and and agencies) needed establish well thought out parameteres and stick to them. There was to much test ballooning IMO. Example a familiy of 5 could all go to the lake in same car but only two could be in the same boat ? It took to long to figure out that the population densities in the state and that need to be accounted for. He could have avoided the downstate sideshow had that been done.
Comment by NorthsideNoMore Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 7:03 pm
I had been giving Ozinga credit as not being a hyper-partisan. Maybe I was wrong.
Comment by I am Batman Tuesday, Sep 8, 20 @ 7:13 pm
He gets an A. I think he has shown real leadership under pressure. He’s been out front since the beginning. Anyone can safely lead from behind.
Comment by Chris Waller Wednesday, Sep 9, 20 @ 1:11 am