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Q: Governor, can I just ask one more question? It’s about the American flag, it’s about the American flag because there’s a man who’s a World War II vet, he’s also a Korean War vet, he wants to know why the flag is still at half-staff. I know you ordered all the municipalities to put it to half-staff in March. It’s been eight months now. When can we see it at full-staff? [crosstalk about something to do with election day]

A: We’ve lost more than three 9/11’s in nine months. More than three 9/11’s. More than 9,700 people have passed away. We are losing dozens of people every single day. So, yes, I think during this pandemic, I think until we get through this pandemic, I think it’s the right thing to do to recognize the terrible loss that so many people, who can’t even go to a funeral sometimes for a relative or a friend, this is one way that we can honor all of them.

posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:39 pm

Comments

Fair Question, Fair Answer

Comment by Smile Politely Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:40 pm
Oof, what a terrible response. He could have just left it at ” I think until we get through this pandemic, I think it’s the right thing to do to recognize the terrible loss that so many people, who can’t even go to a funeral sometimes for a relative or a friend, this is one way that we can honor all of them” that first half is pretty unnecessary.

Comment by HotSauce Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:42 pm
I hate to ask. Was it Amy?

Comment by Bruce( no not him) Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:47 pm
===I hate to ask===

lol

You know the answer.

Comment by Rich Miller Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:54 pm
Does the man who ‘wants to know’ actually exist?

Comment by Rasselas Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:54 pm
Maybe he should have said as long as Clay County residents can’t fish it will stay at half-staff. /s

Comment by don the legend Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:55 pm
Psst. Hey Governor. The city of Chicago suffers a Columbine level of shooting deaths every week. Anything for those victims?

Comment by chicago hope Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:55 pm
Was that reporter from Channel 20?

Comment by Chatham Resident Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:56 pm
Terrible question. Great answer by JB. Why shouldnt he talk about the death count? It’s REAL and its NOT stopping anytime soon until we have a national policy to contain the virus. We’re in the 3rd wave - like it or not. We may have another 9000 dead by inauguration day because the president thinks ignoring the virus/ herd immunity is the answer.

Comment by Gedge787 Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:56 pm
Amy Amy Amy…sigh. Yea, Amy, they’re really all dead. And yeah, Amy, a lot more are going to die regardless of the presidential race.

Comment by Chicago Cynic Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 4:59 pm
Hotsauce…I didn’t see anything wrong with it at all. Just like in another thread today, people’s political opinions cause them to put attitudes or intentions on another’s actions/words.

Comment by Jibba Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:15 pm
Flags are less common than they used to be. My dad was a WWII vet and always put out our flag on holidays. When he did jigsaw puzzles he’d do the flag first if there was one. He would have approved of Pritzker’s choice and had his own flag out every day over the same time period. Sacrifice for the common good was a thing he understood deeply.

Comment by Earnest Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:18 pm
chicago hope - eh?

Before you say anything, do a little research and find out how conservative Cal Skinner is … http://mchenrycountyblog.com/2020/10/23/federal-anti-crime-efforts-in-chicago-area-part-4/

Comment by Anyone Remember Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:18 pm
Jibba… like you said its an opinion, I don’t disagree keeping the flag at half staff for a global health pandemic, I actually kind of like the idea. And maybe it was his way of trying to put into perspective the scope of the pandemic. I just think there are better comparisons.

Again, like the Gov’s symbolism behind the flag at half staff… just not the biggest fan of this statement.

Comment by HotSauce Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:36 pm
Terrible answer; so the Gov is basically saying a half-staff is meaningless.

Comment by False Flag Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:41 pm
By the Governor’s logic the flag should have been at half staff for all of WW2. I think it is a misuse of the symbolism.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:49 pm
If I recall correctly Jim Thompson ordered flags at half-staff when a person who was head of the Tollway died. By comparison, Pritzker is not out of line.

Comment by Sayitaintso Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:51 pm
GREAT answer. The lives lost mean something and kudos to the governor for getting that.
Anyone who thinks otherwise is simply wrong.

Comment by Leigh John-Ella Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:52 pm
If this is actually of concern to you, you’re an exceptionally lucky person with no real problems.

Comment by DrurysMissingClock Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 5:55 pm
“Hey Walter Cronkite, why do you keep talking about the Hostages in Iran…it’s been 232 days already!”

Comment by Tom Paine Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 6:19 pm
Had to be Amy asking that.

Comment by btowntruth from forgottonia Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 6:44 pm
==so the Gov is basically saying a half-staff is meaningless==

==I think it is a misuse of the symbolism==

I’ll bite. What’s your number? How many Illinoisan’s need to die from this catastrophe before we pay some respect? Or do we just lower it for certain folks? I’m wondering.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 7:10 pm
Yes we lower it for certain folks. Presidents, Justices of the Supreme Court, a few other people of national importance.

Illinois often lowers the flag for service members killed in the line of duty. Not for people killed in car crashes or shot by accident while deer hunting.

It is a function of who and how they died.

I understand the Governor’s thinking. Just don’t agree.

Comment by Last Bull Moose Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 7:24 pm
==Not for people killed in car crashes or shot by accident while deer hunting.==

This pandemic is not like car crashes or hunting accidents. Many of the deaths are the unnecessary consequence of fellow citizens who insist on exercising their “freedom” to infect others with a deadly disease.

I see the lowered flag not only as a respectful way to honor those who lost their lives unnecessarily, but also as a reminder to the rest of us to take the pandemic seriously and act accordingly. That, I think, is the Governor’s point in the first part of his answer.

Comment by Pot calling kettle Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 7:51 pm
Last Bull Moose to COVID victims: “Drop dead.”

Comment by Leigh John-Ella Monday, Nov 2, 20 @ 8:00 pm
=== Psst. Hey Governor. The city of Chicago suffers a Columbine level of shooting deaths every week. Anything for those victims?===
The flag is at half-staff.

Comment by Da Big Bad Wolf Tuesday, Nov 3, 20 @ 6:16 am