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* November…
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker gave a grim reminder about the magnitude of the coronavirus pandemic on Monday when a reporter asked him why flags remain at half-staff throughout the state several months after the pandemic began.
“We’ve lost more than three 9/11s in nine months,” the governor said at his daily coronavirus news briefing. “We are losing dozens of people every single day.” […]
In April, Pritzker directed all flags be lowered at half-staff to honor those who lost their lives to COVID-19. During his daily briefing Monday, the governor said flags will remain at half-staff until the pandemic is over.
“I think it’s the right thing to do to recognize the terrible loss that so many people who cant even go to a funeral sometimes for a relative or friend, this is one way we can honor all of them,” he said.
* This has been a real thing with some folks…
And more importantly how he has raised the American Flag to FULL Staff! @GovPritzker ordered all flags lowered back in March due to COVID. Mayor Johnson says “it’s lost it’s effectiveness.” https://t.co/C85eeq1MhK
— Amy Jacobson (@AmyJacobson) October 21, 2020
* Daily Herald…
State Rep. Dan Didech says he’ll introduce legislation to create guidelines regarding the display of the American flag.
The proposal follows a letter sent to Gov. J.B. Pritzker from Vernon Hills Mayor Roger Byrne saying a state directive to fly the American flag at half-staff to honor those who’ve died in Illinois from COVID-19 has run its course.
Didech, a Buffalo Grove resident who represents the 59th District, says the legislation would be modeled after federal code that sets time limits on how long the flag can be displayed at half-staff. Putting time limits in place as amendments to the Illinois Flag Display Act would ensure “everybody who should be respected feels respected,” he said.
Didech said he would introduce legislation soon after the 102nd General Assembly convenes Jan. 13.
* I asked Rep. Didech (D-Buffalo Grove) if he thought lowering the flag for the covid dead, including nurses, was not appropriate…
I do think it’s appropriate. But I empathize with the sentiment that lowering them for a full year leaves people numb to the sentiment.
Pressed further…
My job is to be responsive to my constituents. I think it’s a worthwhile conversation to have so I’m happy to facilitate it. I’m not critical of the governor’s decision, but I understand why some people have a good faith concern about it.
* From Jordan Abudayyeh…
The flag is flying at half staff to honor the more than 16,000 Illinoisans who have lost their lives during this pandemic. Right now, there are hundreds of Illinoisans losing their battle to covid per week. Flying the flag at half staff is a stark reminder that this pandemic has tragic consequences and that the state of Illinois will not forget those who battled this disease.
Thoughts?
posted by Rich Miller
Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 3:33 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
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This isn’t at the top of my priority list but I agree that leaving flags half-staff this long reduces the effectiveness of such symbolism.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 3:37 pm
== but I understand why some people have a good faith concern about it.==
I’m glad somebody does because I sure don’t. Of all the things during this pandemic to have a problem with it seems to me that lowering the flag would be the last thing on the list. Some people have entirely too much time on their hands. Reason number 4,521 to be ashamed of how some people have responded during this pandemic.
Comment by Demoralized Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 3:38 pm
leaves people numb to the sentiment.
Stare at those words for a sec
Seems like everyone should be numb and shaken
as we race toward a year of this virus controlling our lives.
Comment by Annoin' Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 3:45 pm
Amy. Why’d it have to be Amy?
Comment by Morty Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 3:46 pm
Just another case of “stiggnit”. Can’t govern, voters reject them, so the opposition looks for ways to harass, entangle, and otherwise hinder the party and Governor in power ,no matter how petty. For, as the kids say, “the lulz”. It’s really the same thing as all the childish and pointless anti-mitigation lawsuits. It comes from the same mindset.
Comment by Give us Barabbas Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 3:49 pm
I think it has lost effectiveness. I notice everyday. Maybe if it was up and then put down say on the first of month it may get mean more. People would see it was brought to half staff and would remind them rather than just see always half staff and just not notice.
Comment by DuPage Saint Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 3:52 pm
Interesting- Does that mean students reciting the Pledge of Allegiance every day make the students numb and the practice lose effectiveness?
Comment by Sjoh Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 3:55 pm
Well, Rep. Didech, it is worth a conversation, but it definitely is not worth an attempt at legislation. There are about 999 issues more important than that right now.
Comment by Don't Bloc Me In Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 3:56 pm
Of all the things to care about in the middle of a pandemic
The ‘numbness to the sentiment’ of lowering flags to honor the dead has to be one of the dumbest.
Comment by Nick Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 4:01 pm
Dog whistle.
@sjoh- well played and spot on.
Comment by JS Mill Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 4:01 pm
Don’t these people have more important things to worry about?
Comment by EA/WR Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 4:04 pm
SJOH - I think there is a difference between a public recital and a public display. One, obviously is active, the other is passive. If someone would like to recite the names of everyone who has died of COVID-19 in public, every day, then I think that practice would have an impact. However, a flag permanently flying at half mast is (1) frequently unnoticed and (2) does not provoke the inquiry into **why** it is being flown at half mast.
So, in keeping with “Betteridge’s Law of Headlines” and “Hinchliffe’s rule” the answer to your question is “No”.
Comment by Just Another Anon Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 4:05 pm
If the Governor simply lowered the flag for one hour for each individual Illinoisan who died from covid it would remain lowered for quite a while.
Comment by robert lincoln Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 4:06 pm
Well Rep. Didech (D-Buffalo Grove) if you want to have a conversation I’m sure there’s enough people on this page who would like to speak to you. When I see that flag hanging at half staff not only does it remind me of those who have lost their lives from this painful virus. I take a moment to say a prayer for those families and those still fighting for their lives.
So maybe in your cold heart it’s lost it’s feeling, but the rest of us feel differently. I’m more than willing to have that conversation with you Sir.
Comment by Club J Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 4:07 pm
I have said before that I thought this was a misuse of the symbolism of the flag. I consider this a molehill not a mountain. It is like the people who say Happy Memorial Day. Grating but not terribly important.
Comment by Last Bull Moose Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 4:08 pm
==lowering them for a full year leaves people numb to the sentiment.==
That COVID-19 still requires vigilance to stop its spread? Oh the horror (exclamation point)
Comment by Jocko Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 4:09 pm
“Raise the flag… lower your mask”.
That’s who they are.
Freedom means thinking of yourself, and wish others good luck.
So.. “raise the flag, lower the mask, a hoax, a hoax… “
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 4:12 pm
I think they should focus on something more important.
Comment by esqwired Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 4:17 pm
The U.S. Flag Code has guidelines for flying the U.S. Flag. I’d rather legislators work on real issues like a recovery plan and how people are going to pay their rent, or buy food.
Comment by Just Me 2 Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 4:20 pm
Sometimes you just gotta ignore the kooks.
And Amy Jacobson is a kook.
– MrJM
Comment by @misterjayem Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 4:32 pm
Also - she’s not called a journalist anymore right? Besides all the nonsense she spews, she doesn’t even know how to use apostrophes.
Comment by Lefty Lefty Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 4:42 pm
The right-wing poutrage machine brays again. Meh.
Comment by Northsider Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 4:55 pm
I’m with OW, and I honestly don’t think this nonsense with the GOP members is worth our time. They are not serious people.
Comment by Lincoln Lad Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 5:21 pm
great, pass a State flag code. And then we will have dozens of bills every session so legislators can have press releases about adding this circumstance or that to the code and lowering the flag.
You thought enhanced penalty bills and plate bills were bad, hang on
Comment by Todd Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 6:21 pm
==== Well, Rep. Didech, it is worth a conversation, but it definitely is not worth an attempt at legislation. There are about 999 issues more important than that right now.====
Well there are probably 15 other threads on CapFax today that deserve more discussion than this post. But you took the the time to do it. Just saying. The people that rant every year about the multitude of bills filed, debated and / or passed every year and why every legislator isn’t laser focused on the most pressing issues amazes me. There are things that’s still need to be done on many issues, big and small. Even when you have family members who are sick you still do some things that are inconsequential in the big picture.
Comment by Been There Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 7:05 pm
=== There are things that’s still need to be done on many issues, big and small===
Here’s the sitch;
The folks who complain about intruding government and freedom want a bill that regulates the national flag of our country at the state level.
The irony is so thick it appears to blind those wanting to seem thoughtful.
Comment by Oswego Willy Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 7:09 pm
I’m guessing, since I couldn’t find the bill via google, that there would be a time limit put in place. In this situation the governor could just have the flag lowered each and every day for a new person.
Comment by Person 8 Monday, Jan 4, 21 @ 7:29 pm
This is what we need to talk about? Really?
Comment by Nathan Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 8:48 am
I remember after 9/11 all the all the things we did to remember those lost and all the things that changed to prevent it from happening again. Now a lot of the same people who said we needed to do that then are this time saying what’s the big deal. I don’t get it.
Comment by Publius Tuesday, Jan 5, 21 @ 8:54 am