chicagosun-times--2020-03-31--Three finalists chosen for Chicago Police Department superintendent

Chicago ’ s next police superintendent will be either the woman running the Aurora Police Department or one of two men : the retired Dallas police chief or a fast-rising Chicago police deputy chief .
Kristen Ziman , David Brown and Ernest Cato are the three finalists chosen by the Chicago Police Board after a nationwide search , according to a City Hall source .
Ziman is white , and would deliver the biggest culture shock as the first woman to serve as Chicago ’ s police superintendent .
Brown and Cato are African-American .
Cato , the only insider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Charlie Beck .
City Hall sources say Lightfoot is a fan of Cato , who has been described “ very polished in his personal presentation.
” But Cato ’ s rapid rise through the ranks has led some to suggest he would probably benefit from more seasoning .
That may be particularly true given the rapid rise and unhappy departure of police Supt .
Eddie Johnson .
Lightfoot fired Johnson on Dec. 1 , a month before his scheduled retirement , after accusing him of “ lying ” to her and to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in mid-October .
The odd man out in the Police Board ’ s search is Sean Malinowski , the former chief of detectives for the Los Angeles Police Department who once served as Beck ’ s chief of staff in L.A. Malinowski knows the Chicago Police Department intimately , having lived through a consent decree in Los Angeles and having served as a consultant to the department in the furor that followed the court-ordered release of the Laquan McDonald shooting video .
Malinowski helped create Strategic Decision Support Centers in districts across the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to monitor shootings and crime trends in real time .
Early on , Malinowski appeared to be a front-runner and a favorite of Beck ’ s after a polished video that “ blew people away ” on the Police Board .
But sources said he ultimately fell out of favor ; he has been viewed as having campaigned for the job in a way some at City Hall see as heavy-handed .
That paved the way for a dark horse in Ziman or Cato .
Ziman recently tested positive for the coronavirus and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the size of one Chicago police district — from her home .
She also made headlines for the leadership she exhibited during the mass shooting at the Henry Pratt Co. in February 2019 .
A disgruntled employee killed five co-workers and injured six people , including five police officers , before he was killed by police .
If Lightfoot is most concerned about rebuilding public trust shattered by the McDonald shooting , she could choose Brown .
A source close to the Police Board search has described Brown ’ s strength as his @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to “ use that story to connect ” with citizens .
His brother was murdered by drug dealers , his son was killed in a police shootout and his partner died in the line of duty .
Brown is a seasoned leader who ran a big-city department that also dealt with gun violence problems but wasn ’ t under a civil-rights consent decree like Chicago .
His weakness : he doesn ’ t know Chicago and could be devoured , as other outsiders have , by the city ’ s unique brand of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Police Board process has been a sham .
Nationwide searches were conducted while the mayor conducted his or her own back-channel search .
The mayor ’ s pick , communicated to the board , would magically appear on the list of three finalists .
The only time in recent Chicago history that script wasn ’ t followed was four years ago when then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel rejected the three finalists chosen by a Police Board led by Lightfoot and plucked Johnson out of obscurity , though he hadn ’ t applied .
Lightfoot has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ On the November day she chose Beck as interim superintendent , she laughed when asked if she ’ d conduct her own back-channel search .
“ The process only has legitimacy if you follow it , ” she said then .
“ I ’ m gon na make my decision based upon the options that are presented to me by the Police Board .
I ’ m open to any possibility.
” Pressed then to describe her ideal superintendent , the mayor said it was someone with experience running a “ big and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motivate the troops ” and understands the value of “ constitutional policing.
” She also described the need for a “ bridge builder ” who understands the need to build “ strong and deep ties to the community ” and the “ opportunities ” for change created by a federal consent decree .
Asked whether the new superintendent must be African American , the mayor said : “ You know that I hate the racial and tribal politics of the city .
It is a reality .
But I ’ m gon na @ @ @ @ @ @ @ person is.
” The mayor reiterated her long-stated view that there are fewer than 10 people in the entire country who have the combination of law enforcement experience , crime-fighting expertise and leadership skills that make them capable of doing the $ 260,044-a-year job .
She said she was mindful that the Chicago Police Department never has had a woman as superintendent and “ under the right circumstances ” she would love to make history and break that gender barrier .
At a news conference Tuesday to announce South Loop hotel rooms for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan to choose a new superintendent in time to introduce the appointment at the April 15 virtual City Council meeting .
Unless a special City Council meeting is called shortly thereafter , that guarantees that the confirmation process required by law will drag on well into May .
Before the coronavirus pandemic , Lightfoot had hoped to have a new Chicago police superintendent appointed and confirmed in plenty of time to draft a plan to combat the traditional summer surge of violence .
The mayor insisted Tuesday that her game plan has not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ We started our summer planning back in January .
Obviously , we are very focused like a laser beam on making sure that we are responding to the immediate needs and challenges that this virus gives us every single day .
But we fundamentally still are focused on the incredibly important issue of keeping our people safe .
And that planning still continues , ” the mayor said .
“ The work that we ’ re doing in neighborhoods all over the city is actually giving us helpful additional insights into what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about this summer .
But we ’ ll be ready for summer .
”

Chicago’s next police superintendent will be either the woman running the Aurora Police Department or one of two men: the retired Dallas police chief or a fast-rising Chicago police deputy chief.
Kristen Ziman, David Brown and Ernest Cato are the finalists chosen by the Chicago Police Board after a nationwide search, according to a City Hall source.
Ziman is white and would deliver the biggest culture shock as the first woman to serve as Chicago’s police superintendent. Brown and Cato are African American. Cato, the only insider, was promoted recently by interim Supt. Charlie Beck.
City Hall sources say Mayor Lori Lightfoot is a fan of Cato, who has been described as “very polished in his personal presentation.” But Cato’s rapid rise through the ranks has led some to suggest he would probably benefit from more seasoning.
That may be particularly true given the rapid rise and unhappy departure of police Supt. Eddie Johnson. Lightfoot fired Johnson on Dec. 1, a month before his scheduled retirement, after accusing him of “lying” to her and to the public about an embarrassing drinking-and-driving incident in mid-October.
Chicago Police Department Deputy Chief Ernest Cato speaks to reporters in October. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
The odd man out in the Police Board’s search is Sean Malinowski, the former chief of detectives for the Los Angeles Police Department who once served as Beck’s chief of staff in L.A.
Malinowski knows the Chicago Police Department intimately, having lived through a consent decree in Los Angeles and having served as a consultant to the department in the furor that followed the court-ordered release of the Laquan McDonald shooting video.
Malinowski helped create Strategic Decision Support Centers in districts across the city that allow police and civilian analysts to monitor shootings and crime trends in real time.
Early on, Malinowski appeared to be a front-runner and a favorite of Beck’s after a polished video that “blew people away” on the Police Board.
But sources said he ultimately fell out of favor; he has been viewed as having campaigned for the job in a way some at City Hall see as heavy-handed.
That paved the way for a dark horse in Ziman or Cato.
Aurora Police Chief Kristen Ziman. Patrick Kunzer/Daily Herald
Ziman recently tested positive for the coronavirus and is leading her suburban department — about the size of one Chicago police district — from her home.
She also made headlines for the leadership she exhibited during the mass shooting at the Henry Pratt Co. in February 2019. A disgruntled employee killed five co-workers and injured six people, including five police officers, before he was killed by police.
If Lightfoot is most concerned about rebuilding public trust shattered by the McDonald shooting, she could choose Brown.
A source close to the Police Board search has described Brown’s strength as his “amazing personal story” and willingness to “use that story to connect” with citizens. His brother was murdered by drug dealers, his son was killed in a police shootout and his partner died in the line of duty.
Brown is a seasoned leader who ran a big-city department that also dealt with gun-violence problems but wasn’t under a civil-rights consent decree like Chicago. His weakness: He doesn’t know Chicago and could be devoured, as other outsiders have, by the city’s unique brand of politics.
Over the years, the Police Board process has been a sham. Nationwide searches were conducted while the mayor conducted his or her own back-channel search. The mayor’s pick, communicated to the board, would magically appear on the list of three finalists.
Former Dallas Police Chief David Brown has an “amazing personal story,” according to a source close to the Chicago Police Board. Brown is one of three finalists to be Chicago’s next police superintendent. Associated Press
The only time in recent Chicago history that script wasn’t followed was four years ago, when then-Mayor Rahm Emanuel rejected the three finalists chosen by a Police Board led by Lightfoot and plucked Johnson out of obscurity, though he hadn’t applied.
Lightfoot has promised this time will be different. On the November day she chose Beck as interim superintendent, she laughed when asked if she’d conduct her own back-channel search.
“The process only has legitimacy if you follow it,” she said then. “I’m gonna make my decision based upon the options that are presented to me by the Police Board. I’m open to any possibility.”
Pressed then to describe her ideal superintendent, the mayor said it was someone with experience running a “big and complicated” police organization who can “motivate the troops” and understands the value of “constitutional policing.”
She also described the need for a “bridge builder” who understands the need to build “strong and deep ties to the community” and the “opportunities” for change created by a federal consent decree.
Asked whether the new superintendent must be African American, the mayor said: “You know that I hate the racial and tribal politics of the city. It is a reality. But I’m gonna pick the best person, whoever that person is.”
The mayor reiterated her long-stated view that there are fewer than 10 people in the entire country who have the combination of law-enforcement experience, crime-fighting expertise and leadership skills that make them capable of doing the $260,044-a-year job.
She said she was mindful that the Chicago Police Department never has had a woman as superintendent and “under the right circumstances” she would love to make history and break that gender barrier.
Related Get to know the three finalists for CPD superintendent
At a news conference Tuesday to announce South Loop hotel rooms for first-responders, Lightfoot said she does not plan to choose a new superintendent in time to introduce the appointment at the April 15 virtual City Council meeting.
Unless a special City Council meeting is called shortly thereafter, that guarantees that the confirmation process required by law will drag on well into May.
Before the coronavirus pandemic, Lightfoot had hoped to have a new Chicago police superintendent appointed and confirmed in plenty of time to draft a plan to combat the traditional summer surge of violence.
The mayor insisted Tuesday that her game plan has not been altered because of the pandemic.
“We started our summer planning back in January. Obviously, we are very focused like a laser beam on making sure that we are responding to the immediate needs and challenges that this virus gives us every single day. But we fundamentally still are focused on the incredibly important issue of keeping our people safe. And that planning still continues,” the mayor said.
“The work that we’re doing in neighborhoods all over the city is actually giving us helpful additional insights into what we need to be doing and thinking about this summer. But we’ll be ready for summer.”


chicagosun-times--2020-03-31--26 more coronavirus deaths in Illinois with Pritzker set to extend stay-at-home order through April

26 more coronavirus deaths in Illinois with Pritzker set to extend stay-at-home order through April (LIVE UPDATES)

With the state on Tuesday reporting another 26 deaths in Illinois due to the coronavirus , Gov .
J.B. Pritzker will extend the state ’ s stay-at-home executive order until the end of April .
There are now 99 fatalities in Illinois due to the outbreak , health officials said .
Tuesday marks the highest number of coronavirus deaths the state has confirmed in a single day .
Health officials on Tuesday said an additional 937 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the state , bringing the state ’ s total to 5,994 cases .
Of the 26 fatalities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cook County , officials said .
5:47 p.m. Chicago hospitals begin to lean on expanded ICU spaces as regular critical care beds fill Several Chicago hospitals have moved critical care beds into unused spaces to handle an expected influx of coronavirus patients .
“ We are expanding our ICU capacity into other units that are not in use because of the suspension of elective surgery , ” Rush University Medical Center spokesman Tobin Clinger told the Chicago Sun-Times on Tuesday .
“ That is to say , while the normal ICU may be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients is not because we are creating new areas for treatment.
” Dan Regan , a spokesman for Sinai Health System , confirmed in an email that ICUs in its system were running at 95 % to 100 % percent capacity Tuesday , and it was “ ramping up our surge plans ” to expand .
Those plans included the repurposing of rooms and staff at Mount Sinai and Holy Cross hospitals , Regan wrote .
He also said mobile triage trailers were in use at both hospitals .
The goal , he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ virus “ by getting patients with minor symptoms evaluated and quickly sent back home with instructions and medicine to lessen their symptoms.
” Reporters Mitch Dudek and Jon Seidel have the full story .
The Shedd penguins waddled to the next stop on their tour of the aquarium this week , swinging by the Oceanarium habitat to make new friends .
As 32-year-old rockhopper penguin Wellington observed the tank , several beluga whales , including Annik the calf born last year , stopped swimming to observe him and the penguins .
Both stared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back and forth .
In the wild , penguins and beluga whales would not meet .
All penguin species are found in the southern hemisphere , and beluga whales live in the northern hemisphere .
The city of Chicago issued another emergency alert Tuesday afternoon , this time a call-to-action for licensed healthcare workers .
The city is asking licensed healthcare workers to register at IllinoisHelps.net so that they may be contacted to work in a hospital surge or alternative housing setting .
” By registering with Illinois Helps , an Emergency System @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( ESAR-VHP ) , ” the site says .
“ you can be part of an alert system and respond if available , when activated , to a significant disaster or public health emergency.
” Non-medical volunteers can also sign up for opportunities at www.Serve.Illinois.gov .
Last week ’ s emergency alert announced the lakefront , parks and 6060 trail were now closed to the public .
3:02 p.m. County finances to suffer one-two punch as coronavirus patients ‘ swamp the health care system ’ Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said Tuesday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ patients will have a “ profound impact ” on the finances of the health system .
But even as she sounded the alarm , Preckwinkle declined to predict just how bad the financial picture could become for the already challenged County Health System .
“ Our focus is not on the finances , ” Preckwinkle said .
“ Our focus has been on trying to figure out how we ’ re going to deliver care to all the people who are going to swamp the healthcare system.
” The County Health system ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Centers for Disease Control to avoid elective surgeries — which bring in the most money — is a chief blow to the system ’ s coffers , Preckwinkle said at a news conference in which she thanked health care workers for their efforts combating COVID-19 .
“ I can ’ t tell you how much of a financial impact that it will have because we don ’ t know how long the pandemic will prohibit us from doing elective surgeries , ” Preckwinkle said .
“ This is a two-fold impact on our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we can ’ t do elective surgeries , and the other is that we ’ re going to have considerably more patients in our hospitals who are uninsured and require intensive services.
” 2:11 p.m. With 2020 NFL season uncertain , Bears WR Allen Robinson digs in to feed Chicago kids While he waits to get back on the field — or at least into the workout room — Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson has mobilized his Within Reach Foundation to help the Greater Chicago Food Depository feed local kids who are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ organization has focused primarily on education , but he shifted to meals once he saw the need .
His initial goal was to raise $ 12,000 from donors and match that amount .
Then coach Matt Nagy matched the amount , and offensive tackle Charles Leno kicked in $ 7,200 .
The flood of support was “ special ” for Robinson , and he said he ’ ll be increasing his goal and the amount he ’ ll match soon .
Not only is Chicago a hotspot , but so is Robinson ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has extensive family there , and while his effort has been solely concentrated on helping Chicago kids so far , he ’ s looking into how he can help Detroit , too .
“ This is a vital part of kids ’ lives in addition to education — being able to put food in their mouths and their families ’ mouths , ” Robinson said .
“ We ’ re not doing this just for notoriety .
We just wanted to streamline it and bring everyone together to make an impact.
” Read @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s report .
UNITED NATIONS — U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is warning that the world faces the most challenging crisis since World War II , confronting a pandemic threatening people in every country that will bring a recession “ that probably has no parallel in the recent past.
” The U.N. chief said at the launch of a report Tuesday on the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 there is also a risk that the combination of the disease and its economic impact will contribute to “ enhanced instability , enhanced unrest , and enhanced @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and more effective global response to the coronavirus pandemic and to the social and economic devastation that COVID-19 is causing .
He stressed that this will only be possible “ if everybody comes together and if we forget political games and understand that it is humankind that is at stake.
” “ The magnitude of the response must match the scale of the crisis — large-scale , coordinated and comprehensive , with country and international responses being guided by the World Health Organization , ” the secretary-general said , noting that not all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the full report from the Associated Press here .
12:49 p.m. Gov .
Pritzker to extend stay-at-home order until April 30 with schools to remain shuttered As the state continues to see an uptick in coronavirus cases , Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker Tuesday afternoon will extend the state ’ s stay-at-home executive order until the end of April , sources told the Chicago Sun-Times .
The news was anticipated , and Pritzker has said at daily press briefings that the decision was being evaluated on a day-to-day basis .
The current executive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ’ s when some Illinois schools were initially set to open .
Mayor Lori Lightfoot earlier this month announced Chicago Public Schools would be closed at least until April 21 .
Pritzker ’ s new executive order will run until April 30 and will also mandate the continued closure of Illinois schools , sources said .
12:42 p.m. With CPS possibly remote learning for the rest of the year , students with disabilities could face additional hurdles On Monday , Ald .
Ray Lopez ( 15th ) said that the city does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ classroom this school year , and will instead be expected to take on remote learning .
CPS also announced plans on Monday to distribute 100,000 laptops , iPads and Chromebooks to facilitate remote learning for the district ’ s students to use at home .
But what does e-learning mean for students with disabilities ?
Across the U.S. , schools and families face new challenges in maintaining instruction for students with disabilities .
Teachers are exploring new ways to deliver customized lessons from afar .
And while parents of all children have taken @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have disabilities are adding therapy , hands-on lessons and behavioral management to the list .
Read more on what remote learning could mean for students who need extra help .
12:12 p.m. Walmart will begin taking temperatures of all employees Walmart announced Tuesday morning that it will begin checking the temperatures of all employees at its stores and warehouses when they arrive at work .
The company is distributing infrared thermometers to its locations across the U.S .
The checks are expected to be implemented at all locations within the next 3 weeks @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company is also sending masks and gloves to all work sites for use by “ any associate that wishes to use them.
” Walmart also issued guidance urging employees to maintain 6 feet of distance between coworkers and customers Tuesday , joining a growing list of national and global corporations rolling out policies for employees based on public health agency guidelines .
Amazon announced similar distancing recommendations last week for its Whole Foods Market partner stores , and Jewel-Osco installed plexiglass “ sneeze guards ” at its registers , service desks and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trials in criminal or civil matters through May : Cook County Circuit Court Cook County Circuit Court is extending its suspension of most criminal and civil cases through May and expanding the use of videoconferencing amid the growing COVID-19 outbreak .
Originally postponed until April 15 , most court cases are now suspended until May 18 , the office of Chief Judge Timothy Evans said in a statement Monday .
Evans also ordered the expansion of videoconferencing for all court proceeds deemed necessary or emergencies , officials said .
All court hearings will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ April 16 .
Currently , all detainees with bail hearings appear in court via video .
During this period , no jury trials in criminal or civil matters will begin .
People summoned for jury duty should not report and will receive a new date for service .
No eviction or foreclosure orders will be entered .
9:20 a.m. Don ’ t mix ammonia with bleach : CDC warns against dangerous cleaning solutions Fears about transmission of the COVID-19 virus are prompting many to clean their homes more aggressively , and with more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ known how long the virus can survive on surfaces , but a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report found that “ SARS-CoV-2 RNA was identified on a variety of surfaces in cabins of both symptomatic and asymptomatic infected passengers up to 17 days after cabins were vacated on the Diamond Princess.
” The public health agency advises cleaning surfaces first with soap and water , then with disinfectant solutions .
It issued an advisory late last week that breaks down the efficacy of various active ingredients against the virus .
But the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ avoid mixing common household cleaners that can cause deadly chemical reactions .
For example , bleach and vinegar , both common and recommended cleaning agents , produce chlorine gas when combined — a deadly greenish-yellow gas that was used as a chemical weapon in World War I. Click here to see the CDC ’ s latest advisory on how to clean and disinfect your home .
8:53 a.m. Another nurse claims retaliation after voicing concerns to hospital about PPE access A former nurse at Mercy Hospital alleges she was fired after she expressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provide adequate protections for staff members treating coronavirus patients .
Regina Haglund filed a discrimination charge March 26 against the hospital with the Chicago office of the National Labor Relations Board .
She was fired March 25 , allegedly for retaliation after she spoke up about the lack of protective masks , the filing states .
According to the seven-page filing , Haglund was working in triage for the hospital March 22 and saw a patient who presented with coronavirus symptoms .
The patient wasn ’ t given a mask because there weren @ @ @ @ @ @ @ triage area , and the patient coughed twice on Haglund , the filing states .
The person was placed in isolation , and Haglund said she has not been told the patient ’ s test result .
Last week , a nurse at Northwestern Memorial Hospital filed a lawsuit alleging she was fired after expressing similar concerns to her coworkers .
Read the latest about the Mercy charges here .
8:04 a.m .
Yes , you can definitely still buy alcohol You can call off your emergency trip to the liquor store — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sale of alcohol .
But recent Facebook posts would have you think otherwise .
“ No beer or alcohol sales in state of Illinois as of 3pm starting Monday March , 30th , ” reads an image posted by one account .
Then there are links to stories with headlines like this one : “ NC Governor to stop all alcohol sales beginning Friday , April 3rd.
” Another one claims “ Gov .
Gavin Newsom suspends alcohol in CA as of March 28.
” Some of these posts , such as one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been pulled down , appear to be screenshots of a news story .
But if you click on the links in other posts , it brings you to a page that says “ you got pranked.
” The joke , however , is getting lost on many Facebook users as they share both these blog posts and images of seeming media stories with this tee-totaling news .
6:53 a.m. Pritzker says feds sent wrong masks as Illinois reports 8 more coronavirus deaths Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on Monday said the White House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ thousands of the wrong type of masks — as the state saw eight more deaths and the spread of the coronavirus into half of its counties .
It appears a détente between the Democratic governor and President Donald Trump is over .
After weeks of criticizing Trump ’ s response to the outbreak on national television and daily in press briefings , Pritzker last week said he was thankful for a White House shipment of N95 masks , which came after Pritzker asked Trump personally for help .
Instead the state received surgical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s office last week said the White House pledged to send 250,000 N95 masks and 300 ventilators .
Illinois has received shipments of medical supplies from the federal government , but at a fraction of what has been requested .
Read the full story from Tina Sfondeles and Mitchell Armentrout .
• Chris Cuomo , CNN anchor and brother of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo , announced on Tuesday that he has tested positive for coronavirus .
• A State Department official has died from the coronavirus , the government announced Tuesday .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 8 more coronavirus deaths had been reported in the state Monday , bringing the total to death toll to 73 people .
The state on Monday reported 461 new cases , bringing the total number of positive cases to 5,057 .
• 134 inmates at Cook County Jail have tested positive for COVID-19 .
• Placido Domingo was hospitalized with complications from COVID-19 in Mexico .
• The Chicago Police Department announced Monday that 29 more employees have tested positive for the coronavirus .
• The Cook County state ’ s attorney ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of an employee who was diagnosed with COVID-19 .
4 p.m.
I ’ m a parent and a teacher .
Remote learning should worry us all The day after my children ’ s school closed due to the coronavirus pandemic , I took my eight-year-old daughter to our local library .
She ’ s an avid reader , and we often stop by each weekend and leave with handfuls of books .
That day , we acted like the library was Costco and checked out 35 books , knowing we were in it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ day , our library closed .
A week and a half later , my daughter had finished those books .
She also flew through her “ remote ” learning tasks , as did her five-year-old brother , as I struggled to balance our new “ school ” schedule with my own work as an e-librarian for the high school where I work .
My kids are engaged and enjoy their remote learning activities .
But even with a masters ’ degree in education and 16 years in the field , I know I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actual teachers .
Read the full Opinion piece from Gina Caneva , a parent and library media specialist for East Leyden High School in Franklin Park 11:00 a.m .
I asked for sports column ideas during the pandemic , and you have not disappointed Friends , family and acquaintances are asking me the same thing , from a six-foot distance : ‘ ‘ What in the world can you write about with the coronavirus having shut down sports ?
’ ’ It ’ s an excellent question .
There are no games being @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fewer dumb decisions being made than normal .
It ’ s a columnist ’ s nightmare — or it can lead to one , at least .
I asked readers for column ideas because the future I feared included the very real possibility I ’ d be forced to write a three-part series on speed-walking .
I hope they will help me sleep during the next few months .
Read Rick Morrissey ’ s new column ideas from readers here .
9:55 a.m .
Remote learning is OK , but school in July @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back on track We ’ re bracing for another drastic development that seems more and more necessary to safeguard public health and save lives : shutting down our public schools for the rest of the academic year .
If it comes to that , so be it .
The decision would not be unprecedented .
Six other states — Kansas , Virginia , Alabama , Oklahoma , Vermont and New Mexico — already have taken that step .
California has shut down schools “ until further notice.
” We don ’ t mean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , to be clear , has given no indication that he plans to order a shutdown and have schools rely solely on remote learning to teach students for the rest of the year .
But in the end , there is no real substitute for face-to-face interaction between children and trusted teachers .
Whether that happens now — or in July .
Read the full editorial from the Sun-Times Editorial Board .
7:06 a.m. Coronavirus makes it more clear than ever : Health care is a human right Who is going to pay @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was used as a weapon against supporters of Medicare for All .
Now , it is on everyone ’ s mind as they worry about the costs of the testing and treatment for the coronavirus .
The virus is highly contagious .
We need everyone with symptoms to get tested and all with the virus to get treatment .
If anyone hesitates because they fear they can ’ t afford the cost , they put the rest of us at risk .
No one should be worried about the costs of treatment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ per capita for its patchwork health-care system than most industrialized countries .
Why were we caught with such shortages of masks , ventilators or hospital beds ?

The latest
Company hustled to make face shields to fight coronavirus but can’t find buyers
Jason Wade, lead carpenter at Pac Team, uses a template to cut plastic for face shields at the factory at 4447 W. Armitage Ave. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
About a week after Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order, Eric Zuckerman and his workers retooled a small plant on the Northwest Side to make face shields needed by health care workers and others with prolonged exposure to the public.
Mission accomplished, or so he thought. He said his company, Pac Team Group, can make about 750 shields a day. But there’s a problem. Zuckerman said Tuesday he can’t get through to any state or city agency to coordinate a sale. And he said he’s got 1,000 shields in inventory ready to go.
So he listens to government officials on the news begging for protective equipment and he’s flummoxed.
“We want to get this equipment out to people who need it, but we haven’t found the right people to take it,” said Zuckerman, president of Pac Team. “All the agencies are so inundated right now. Getting their attention is quite difficult.”
Reporter David Roder has the full story.
News
9:45 p.m. Need a thermometer to check for coronavirus? Good luck finding one
Betsy Hetzler has been trying to buy a thermometer for her 86-year-old father for three weeks, with no luck.
“I’ve been checking [stores] regularly,” said Hetzler of Geneva, who’d like a forehead model just in case the family needs to monitor his temperature for coronavirus symptoms.
But she’s reaching the point where almost any thermometer will do. She ordered one on Amazon, but it has a May 1 delivery date.
Consumers around the country are finding that if they don’t have a household thermometer in their medicine cabinet, it could be a while before they can get one. As with shortages of face masks and other personal health care items in the age of COVID-19, the supply of thermometers has dwindled online and in stores.
Read the full report by Stephanie Zimmermann here.
9:00 p.m. Experts say Mexico’s coronavirus policy may be too little too late
MEXICO CITY — Mexico has started taking tougher measures against the coronavirus after weeks of its president hugging followers and saying religious medals would protect him. Some experts warn the sprawling country of 129 million is acting too late and testing too little to prevent the type of crisis unfolding across the border in the United States.
Last week Mexico banned non-essential government work as confirmed cases climbed, but took until late Monday to extend that to other business sectors and to bar gatherings of more than 50 people. By Tuesday, Mexico had reported more than 1,000 confirmed cases and at least 28 deaths.
Experts say those figures greatly understate the true number of infections. Mexico has done far less testing than many other countries — fewer than 10,000 tests. New York state alone had performed more than 205,000 tests by Tuesday. There were also signs the disease may be far more advanced in Mexico than the limited testing shows — three state governors have already tested positive for coronavirus.
Read the full report here.
8:37 p.m. Details: New COVID-19 relief program will pump cash to small business, nonprofits to meet payrolls, keep workers
With small businesses and nonprofits in desperate need of quick cash because of the COVID-19 pandemic, employers starting Friday can apply for federal loans with a crucial feature: Loans can be converted to grants if the money is used to keep workers on the payroll.
The financial lifeline, to be run through the Small Business Administration, is aimed at keeping employers in business and workers getting paid.
The $349 billion new “Paycheck Protection Program” is in the $2.2 trillion Coronavirus Aid Relief and Economic Security Act signed into law last Friday.
President Donald Trump said Tuesday that banks can start accepting applications for the Small Business Administration program Friday.
8:05 p.m. U. of I. designs prototype for low-cost, easy-to-build ventilator — and offers it free to manufacturers
Engineers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign have created an easily-manufactured, disposable and portable emergency ventilator they hope can be quickly put into production to help hospitals deal with a surge of COVID-19 patients.
Engineers at the university’s Grainger College of Engineering in collaboration with Carle Health in Urbana worked to create a prototype that has run for more than 75 hours — about 125,000 breathing cycles — and works as well as a commercial model, the school announced.
Following successful testing, the components and design of the prototype — called the Illinois RapidVent — have been posted for anyone to download for free at the college’s website. The university will not receive royalties from the design nor benefit financially from production of the ventilators, according to Rashid Bashir, the college’s dean and a professor of bioengineering.
Read the full report here.
7:28 p.m. Pritzker urged to reopen Westlake Hospital for COVID-19 response
State Rep. Emanuel “Chris” Welch and a Chicagoland nonprofit on Tuesday called for Gov. J.B. Pritzker to reopen Westlake Hospital in Melrose Park to help with the coronavirus crisis.
Welch, along with the Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, hosted an online press conference pleading with the governor about the importance of using the now-shuttered facility for housing and treating confirmed COVID-19 patients.
Welch said he applauded the reopening of MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island and Advocate Sherman Hospital in Elgin as COVID-19 response centers, but said it’s a misstep if the state stops there.
7:10 p.m. BBQ legend Charlie Robinson delivers lunch to patients at Roseland Community Hospital
Roseland Community Hospital was forced to close its dietary department last week after a staffer came down with COVID-19 symptoms.
As a precaution, the hospital closed the department and performed a deep cleaning over the weekend. Eighteen employees are awaiting test results.
That left the hospital buying pizza and Subway sandwiches for patients, relying on donations from churches and local restaurants and seeking monetary donations on Facebook.
When barbecue legend Charlie Robinson heard of the closure, he stepped into action. Robinson’s No. 1 Ribs donated over 100 five-course meals to patients and staff Tuesday.
“I really want to recognize Robinson’s Ribs for donating this food today to keep our employees and our patients nourished,” Roseland CEO Tim Egan said.
Read the full story by Manny Ramos here.
6:34 p.m. White House projects 100K to 240K US deaths from coronavirus
WASHINGTON — President Donald Trump on Tuesday warned Americans to brace for a “rough two-week period” ahead as the White House released new projections that there could be 100,000 to 240,000 deaths in the U.S. from the coronavirus pandemic even if current social distancing guidelines are maintained.
Public health officials stressed that the number could be less if people change their behavior.
“We really believe we can do a lot better than that,” said Dr. Deborah Birx, the coordinator of the White House coronavirus task force. That would require all Americans to take seriously their role in preventing the spread of disease, she said.
Trump called American efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus “a matter of life and death” and urged the public to heed his administration’s guidelines. He predicted the country would soon see a “light at the end of the tunnel” in the pandemic that has killed more than 3,500 Americans and infected 170,000 more.
”I want every American to be prepared for the hard days that lie ahead,” Trump said. “We’re going to go through a very tough two weeks.”
Read more from the Associated Press here.
5:47 p.m. Chicago hospitals begin to lean on expanded ICU spaces as regular critical care beds fill
Several Chicago hospitals have moved critical care beds into unused spaces to handle an expected influx of coronavirus patients.
“We are expanding our ICU capacity into other units that are not in use because of the suspension of elective surgery,” Rush University Medical Center spokesman Tobin Clinger told the Chicago Sun-Times on Tuesday. “That is to say, while the normal ICU may be at capacity, our capacity for ICU patients is not because we are creating new areas for treatment.”
Dan Regan, a spokesman for Sinai Health System, confirmed in an email that ICUs in its system were running at 95% to 100% percent capacity Tuesday, and it was “ramping up our surge plans” to expand.
Those plans included the repurposing of rooms and staff at Mount Sinai and Holy Cross hospitals, Regan wrote. He also said mobile triage trailers were in use at both hospitals. The goal, he said, is to help contain the virus “by getting patients with minor symptoms evaluated and quickly sent back home with instructions and medicine to lessen their symptoms.”
Reporters Mitch Dudek and Jon Seidel have the full story.
5 p.m. Shedd penguins continue aquarium tour by visiting beluga whales
The Shedd penguins waddled to the next stop on their tour of the aquarium this week, swinging by the Oceanarium habitat to make new friends.
As 32-year-old rockhopper penguin Wellington observed the tank, several beluga whales, including Annik the calf born last year, stopped swimming to observe him and the penguins. Both stared at one another as the penguins waddled back and forth.
Alicia Atkins/Shedd Aquarium
In the wild, penguins and beluga whales would not meet. All penguin species are found in the southern hemisphere, and beluga whales live in the northern hemisphere.
– Alison Martin
4:15 p.m. City emergency alert calls for licensed healthcare workers to fight coronavirus
The city of Chicago issued another emergency alert Tuesday afternoon, this time a call-to-action for licensed healthcare workers.
The city is asking licensed healthcare workers to register at IllinoisHelps.net so that they may be contacted to work in a hospital surge or alternative housing setting.
”By registering with Illinois Helps, an Emergency System for Advance Registration of Volunteer Health Professionals (ESAR-VHP),” the site says. “you can be part of an alert system and respond if available, when activated, to a significant disaster or public health emergency.”
Non-medical volunteers can also sign up for opportunities at www.Serve.Illinois.gov.
Last week’s emergency alert announced the lakefront, parks and 6060 trail were now closed to the public.
– Alison Martin
3:02 p.m. County finances to suffer one-two punch as coronavirus patients ‘swamp the health care system’
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said Tuesday that girding for an influx of coronavirus patients will have a “profound impact” on the finances of the health system.
But even as she sounded the alarm, Preckwinkle declined to predict just how bad the financial picture could become for the already challenged County Health System.
“Our focus is not on the finances,” Preckwinkle said. “Our focus has been on trying to figure out how we’re going to deliver care to all the people who are going to swamp the healthcare system.”
The County Health system’s decision to follow guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control to avoid elective surgeries — which bring in the most money — is a chief blow to the system’s coffers, Preckwinkle said at a news conference in which she thanked health care workers for their efforts combating COVID-19.
“I can’t tell you how much of a financial impact that it will have because we don’t know how long the pandemic will prohibit us from doing elective surgeries,” Preckwinkle said. “This is a two-fold impact on our healthcare system. One is the effect that we can’t do elective surgeries, and the other is that we’re going to have considerably more patients in our hospitals who are uninsured and require intensive services.”
Reporter Rachel Hinton has the full story.
2:30 p.m. 26 more coronavirus deaths in Illinois
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker speaks at the Thompson Center in Chicago during the daily update on the state’s response to the coronavirus pandemic, Monday, March 30, 2020. Ashlee Rezin Garcia/Sun-Times
With the state on Tuesday reporting another 26 deaths in Illinois due to the coronavirus, Gov. J.B. Pritzker will extend the state’s stay-at-home executive order until the end of April.
There are now 99 fatalities in Illinois due to the outbreak, health officials said. Tuesday marks the highest number of coronavirus deaths the state has confirmed in a single day.
Health officials on Tuesday said an additional 937 people have tested positive for coronavirus in the state, bringing the state’s total to 5,994 cases. Of the 26 fatalities recorded on Tuesday, 17 are in Cook County, officials said.
Reporter Tina Sfondeles has the update.
2:11 p.m. With 2020 NFL season uncertain, Bears WR Allen Robinson digs in to feed Chicago kids
While he waits to get back on the field — or at least into the workout room — Bears wide receiver Allen Robinson has mobilized his Within Reach Foundation to help the Greater Chicago Food Depository feed local kids who are out of school. Robinson’s organization has focused primarily on education, but he shifted to meals once he saw the need.
His initial goal was to raise $12,000 from donors and match that amount. Then coach Matt Nagy matched the amount, and offensive tackle Charles Leno kicked in $7,200. The flood of support was “special” for Robinson, and he said he’ll be increasing his goal and the amount he’ll match soon.
He’ll need it.
Not only is Chicago a hotspot, but so is Robinson’s hometown of Detroit. He still has extensive family there, and while his effort has been solely concentrated on helping Chicago kids so far, he’s looking into how he can help Detroit, too.
“This is a vital part of kids’ lives in addition to education — being able to put food in their mouths and their families’ mouths,” Robinson said. “We’re not doing this just for notoriety. We just wanted to streamline it and bring everyone together to make an impact.”
Read more on Robinson in Jason Lieser’s report.
1:27 p.m. UN chief: Coronavirus biggest crisis since WWII
UNITED NATIONS — U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres is warning that the world faces the most challenging crisis since World War II, confronting a pandemic threatening people in every country that will bring a recession “that probably has no parallel in the recent past.”
The U.N. chief said at the launch of a report Tuesday on the socioeconomic impacts of COVID-19 there is also a risk that the combination of the disease and its economic impact will contribute to “enhanced instability, enhanced unrest, and enhanced conflict.”
Guterres called for a stronger and more effective global response to the coronavirus pandemic and to the social and economic devastation that COVID-19 is causing.
He stressed that this will only be possible “if everybody comes together and if we forget political games and understand that it is humankind that is at stake.”
“The magnitude of the response must match the scale of the crisis — large-scale, coordinated and comprehensive, with country and international responses being guided by the World Health Organization,” the secretary-general said, noting that not all countries are following WHO guidelines.
Read the full report from the Associated Press here.
12:49 p.m. Gov. Pritzker to extend stay-at-home order until April 30 with schools to remain shuttered
Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s March 21, 2020 briefing on the coronavirus situation in Illinois. Tyler LaRiviere/Sun-Times file
As the state continues to see an uptick in coronavirus cases, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker Tuesday afternoon will extend the state’s stay-at-home executive order until the end of April, sources told the Chicago Sun-Times.
The news was anticipated, and Pritzker has said at daily press briefings that the decision was being evaluated on a day-to-day basis. The current executive order expires on April 7, and that’s when some Illinois schools were initially set to open. Mayor Lori Lightfoot earlier this month announced Chicago Public Schools would be closed at least until April 21.
Pritzker’s new executive order will run until April 30 and will also mandate the continued closure of Illinois schools, sources said.
Tina Sfondeles has the full story.
12:42 p.m. With CPS possibly remote learning for the rest of the year, students with disabilities could face additional hurdles
On Monday, Ald. Ray Lopez (15th) said that the city does not anticipate students will return to the classroom this school year, and will instead be expected to take on remote learning.
CPS also announced plans on Monday to distribute 100,000 laptops, iPads and Chromebooks to facilitate remote learning for the district’s students to use at home.
But what does e-learning mean for students with disabilities?
Across the U.S., schools and families face new challenges in maintaining instruction for students with disabilities. Teachers are exploring new ways to deliver customized lessons from afar. And while parents of all children have taken on schooling duties, those whose children have disabilities are adding therapy, hands-on lessons and behavioral management to the list.
Read more on what remote learning could mean for students who need extra help.
12:12 p.m. Walmart will begin taking temperatures of all employees
Walmart announced Tuesday morning that it will begin checking the temperatures of all employees at its stores and warehouses when they arrive at work. The company is distributing infrared thermometers to its locations across the U.S. The checks are expected to be implemented at all locations within the next 3 weeks.
Over the next two weeks, the company is also sending masks and gloves to all work sites for use by “any associate that wishes to use them.”
Walmart also issued guidance urging employees to maintain 6 feet of distance between coworkers and customers Tuesday, joining a growing list of national and global corporations rolling out policies for employees based on public health agency guidelines. Amazon announced similar distancing recommendations last week for its Whole Foods Market partner stores, and Jewel-Osco installed plexiglass “sneeze guards” at its registers, service desks and pharmacy stands.
10:30 a.m. No jury trials in criminal or civil matters through May: Cook County Circuit Court
Cook County Circuit Court is extending its suspension of most criminal and civil cases through May and expanding the use of videoconferencing amid the growing COVID-19 outbreak.
Originally postponed until April 15, most court cases are now suspended until May 18, the office of Chief Judge Timothy Evans said in a statement Monday.
Evans also ordered the expansion of videoconferencing for all court proceeds deemed necessary or emergencies, officials said. All court hearings will be conducted via video no later than April 16. Currently, all detainees with bail hearings appear in court via video.
During this period, no jury trials in criminal or civil matters will begin. People summoned for jury duty should not report and will receive a new date for service. No eviction or foreclosure orders will be entered.
Read the full Sun-Times report here.
9:20 a.m. Don’t mix ammonia with bleach: CDC warns against dangerous cleaning solutions
Fears about transmission of the COVID-19 virus are prompting many to clean their homes more aggressively, and with more caustic products. It is not yet known how long the virus can survive on surfaces, but a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention report found that “SARS-CoV-2 RNA was identified on a variety of surfaces in cabins of both symptomatic and asymptomatic infected passengers up to 17 days after cabins were vacated on the Diamond Princess.”
The public health agency advises cleaning surfaces first with soap and water, then with disinfectant solutions. It issued an advisory late last week that breaks down the efficacy of various active ingredients against the virus.
But the CDC is also warning the public to avoid mixing common household cleaners that can cause deadly chemical reactions.
For example, bleach and vinegar, both common and recommended cleaning agents, produce chlorine gas when combined — a deadly greenish-yellow gas that was used as a chemical weapon in World War I.
The Riverside County Fire Department in California shared a graphic identifying common, dangerous chemical combinations:
Please be mindful and use caution when cleaning! #RVCfire #Safety pic.twitter.com/jUPOxmNaR9 — CAL FIRE/Riverside County Fire Department (@CALFIRERRU) March 17, 2020
Click here to see the CDC’s latest advisory on how to clean and disinfect your home.
8:53 a.m. Another nurse claims retaliation after voicing concerns to hospital about PPE access
A former nurse at Mercy Hospital alleges she was fired after she expressed concerns that the hospital didn’t provide adequate protections for staff members treating coronavirus patients.
Regina Haglund filed a discrimination charge March 26 against the hospital with the Chicago office of the National Labor Relations Board. She was fired March 25, allegedly for retaliation after she spoke up about the lack of protective masks, the filing states.
According to the seven-page filing, Haglund was working in triage for the hospital March 22 and saw a patient who presented with coronavirus symptoms.
The patient wasn’t given a mask because there weren’t any suitable ones in the triage area, and the patient coughed twice on Haglund, the filing states. The person was placed in isolation, and Haglund said she has not been told the patient’s test result.
Last week, a nurse at Northwestern Memorial Hospital filed a lawsuit alleging she was fired after expressing similar concerns to her coworkers.
Read the latest about the Mercy charges here.
8:04 a.m. Yes, you can definitely still buy alcohol
You can call off your emergency trip to the liquor store — states aren’t really stopping the sale of alcohol. But recent Facebook posts would have you think otherwise.
“No beer or alcohol sales in state of Illinois as of 3pm starting Monday March, 30th,” reads an image posted by one account. Then there are links to stories with headlines like this one: “NC Governor to stop all alcohol sales beginning Friday, April 3rd.” Another one claims “Gov. Gavin Newsom suspends alcohol in CA as of March 28.”
Some of these posts, such as one about Mississippi banning booze that has since been pulled down, appear to be screenshots of a news story. But if you click on the links in other posts, it brings you to a page that says “you got pranked.”
The joke, however, is getting lost on many Facebook users as they share both these blog posts and images of seeming media stories with this tee-totaling news.
Read the full Politifact fact-check here.
6:53 a.m. Pritzker says feds sent wrong masks as Illinois reports 8 more coronavirus deaths
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday said the White House sent Illinois a shipment of hundreds of thousands of the wrong type of masks — as the state saw eight more deaths and the spread of the coronavirus into half of its counties.
It appears a détente between the Democratic governor and President Donald Trump is over. After weeks of criticizing Trump’s response to the outbreak on national television and daily in press briefings, Pritzker last week said he was thankful for a White House shipment of N95 masks, which came after Pritzker asked Trump personally for help.
Instead the state received surgical masks, Pritzker said.
Pritzker’s office last week said the White House pledged to send 250,000 N95 masks and 300 ventilators. Illinois has received shipments of medical supplies from the federal government, but at a fraction of what has been requested.
Read the full story from Tina Sfondeles and Mitchell Armentrout.
New cases
Analysis and Commentary
9:21 p.m. Ignore the mixed messages and wear that mask
In a democracy, government officials must always tell it straight — especially during a pandemic — and never hide behind a mask of misinformation.
Yet it appears the American people have been fed misleading advice from many sources, including the federal government, downplaying the protection face masks can provide against COVID-19.
The best advice now, as best as we can suss out, is that you should consider wearing a mask, even of the homemade variety, whenever you must venture out into a public space, even if you believe you are healthy. It may provide at least some marginal protection.
That’s not the official advice of the federal government — not yet — but the official advice has not been consistent or trustworthy. We’re just telling you what we would do. We would wear a mask.
Read the full editorial here.
4 p.m. I’m a parent and a teacher. Remote learning should worry us all
The day after my children’s school closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, I took my eight-year-old daughter to our local library. She’s an avid reader, and we often stop by each weekend and leave with handfuls of books. That day, we acted like the library was Costco and checked out 35 books, knowing we were in it for the long haul. The next day, our library closed.
A week and a half later, my daughter had finished those books. She also flew through her “remote” learning tasks, as did her five-year-old brother, as I struggled to balance our new “school” schedule with my own work as an e-librarian for the high school where I work.
My kids are engaged and enjoy their remote learning activities. But even with a masters’ degree in education and 16 years in the field, I know I am only half as adequate as their actual teachers.
Read the full Opinion piece from Gina Caneva, a parent and library media specialist for East Leyden High School in Franklin Park
11:00 a.m. I asked for sports column ideas during the pandemic, and you have not disappointed
Friends, family and acquaintances are asking me the same thing, from a six-foot distance: ‘‘What in the world can you write about with the coronavirus having shut down sports?’’
It’s an excellent question. There are no games being played, no coaches being fired and fewer dumb decisions being made than normal. It’s a columnist’s nightmare — or it can lead to one, at least.
I asked readers for column ideas because the future I feared included the very real possibility I’d be forced to write a three-part series on speed-walking. I hope they will help me sleep during the next few months.
Read Rick Morrissey’s new column ideas from readers here.
9:55 a.m. Remote learning is OK, but school in July might be needed to really get kids back on track
We’re bracing for another drastic development that seems more and more necessary to safeguard public health and save lives: shutting down our public schools for the rest of the academic year.
If it comes to that, so be it. The decision would not be unprecedented. Six other states — Kansas, Virginia, Alabama, Oklahoma, Vermont and New Mexico — already have taken that step. California has shut down schools “until further notice.”
We don’t mean to get ahead of developments. Pritzker, to be clear, has given no indication that he plans to order a shutdown and have schools rely solely on remote learning to teach students for the rest of the year.
But in the end, there is no real substitute for face-to-face interaction between children and trusted teachers. Whether that happens now — or in July.
Read the full editorial from the Sun-Times Editorial Board.
7:06 a.m. Coronavirus makes it more clear than ever: Health care is a human right
Jesse Jackson writes for the Sun-Times:
Who is going to pay for this?
For months that question was used as a weapon against supporters of Medicare for All. Now, it is on everyone’s mind as they worry about the costs of the testing and treatment for the coronavirus. The virus is highly contagious. We need everyone with symptoms to get tested and all with the virus to get treatment. If anyone hesitates because they fear they can’t afford the cost, they put the rest of us at risk.
No one should be worried about the costs of treatment.
The U.S. spends about twice as much per capita for its patchwork health-care system than most industrialized countries. Why were we caught with such shortages of masks, ventilators or hospital beds?
Click here to read Jackson’s full column.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-31--Medical examiner identifies 23 more COVID-19 deaths; Cook County total at 71

The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office confirmed an additional 23 COVID-19 deaths Tuesday , raising the tally for @ @ @ @ @ Four people died Tuesday , 10 Monday , six Sunday and three died March 28 @ @ @ @ @ the medical examiner ’ s office said .
Ages ranged from 26 to 86 .
@ @ @ @ @ office identified the 26-year-old as Jose Duarte , who was pronounced dead Sunday .
Autopsy @ @ @ @ @ acute respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19 infection with cardiovascular disease and diabetes among contributing @ @ @ @ @ 86 , died Monday of pneumonia due to COVID-19 infection with cardiovascular disease and diabetes @ @ @ @ @ medical examiner ’ s office said .
The new confirmed fatalities come as health officials @ @ @ @ @ 937 COVID-19 cases in Illinois , bringing the state ’ s total to 5,994 cases @ @ @ @ @ people have died from the disease in the state .

The Cook County medical examiner’s office confirmed an additional 23 COVID-19 deaths Tuesday, raising the tally for the county to 71.
Four people died Tuesday, 10 Monday, six Sunday and three died March 28, 27 and 24, the medical examiner’s office said. Ages ranged from 26 to 86.
The medical examiner’s office identified the 26-year-old as Jose Duarte, who was pronounced dead Sunday. Autopsy results found he died of acute respiratory distress syndrome due to COVID-19 infection with cardiovascular disease and diabetes among contributing factors.
Alberto Castro, 86, died Monday of pneumonia due to COVID-19 infection with cardiovascular disease and diabetes as contributing factors, the medical examiner’s office said.
The new confirmed fatalities come as health officials on Tuesday announced an additional 937 COVID-19 cases in Illinois, bringing the state’s total to 5,994 cases. So far, 99 people have died from the disease in the state.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-31--NFL 2020 schedule release on hold until May 9 due to coronavirus uncertainty

The annual April sports holiday of the NFL schedule release will be a month later this year because of the unpredictability of the coronavirus outbreak .
The league said Tuesday it plans to do so May 9 .
“ We had been looking , actually , at releasing the schedule later , ” said Brian Rolapp , the league ’ s Chief Media and Business Officer .
“ This is not a new concept .
This is something we ’ ve talked about for some time for different reasons , creating flexibility , trying to see what would be best @ @ @ @ @ @ @ given this time , added flexibility is also a plus .
So , that ’ s what we ’ ll be shooting for.
” All matchups for 2020 were determined by the league ’ s scheduling model , so the schedule release simply sets dates , times and bye weeks .
The Bears will play their annual home-and-home meetings with the Vikings , Packers and Lions ; they ’ ll host the Saints , Giants , Buccaneers , Texans and Colts ; and they ’ ll visit the Rams , Falcons , Jaguars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the NFL is proceeding as though the upcoming season will take place on schedule , and it has conducted free agency on the original timetable .
The draft also remains on schedule for April 23-25 .
The first potential interruption to the calendar would come in May if teams are unable to hold Organized Team Activities and minicamps .
Training camp usually begins in late July , and the season is slated to open Sept. 10 .

The annual April sports holiday of the NFL schedule release will be a month later this year because of the unpredictability of the coronavirus outbreak. The league said Tuesday it plans to do so May 9.
“We had been looking, actually, at releasing the schedule later,” said Brian Rolapp, the league’s Chief Media and Business Officer. “This is not a new concept. This is something we’ve talked about for some time for different reasons, creating flexibility, trying to see what would be best for the clubs.
“But also given this time, added flexibility is also a plus. So, that’s what we’ll be shooting for.”
All matchups for 2020 were determined by the league’s scheduling model, so the schedule release simply sets dates, times and bye weeks.
The Bears will play their annual home-and-home meetings with the Vikings, Packers and Lions; they’ll host the Saints, Giants, Buccaneers, Texans and Colts; and they’ll visit the Rams, Falcons, Jaguars, Titans and Panthers.
Generally, the NFL is proceeding as though the upcoming season will take place on schedule, and it has conducted free agency on the original timetable. The draft also remains on schedule for April 23-25.
The first potential interruption to the calendar would come in May if teams are unable to hold Organized Team Activities and minicamps. Training camp usually begins in late July, and the season is slated to open Sept. 10.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-31--Order from Florida governor forces noted doctor James Andrews to halt Tommy John surgeries

GULF BREEZE , Fla. — Prominent orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews has temporarily halted Tommy John operations at his Florida medical center in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic .
The announcement came Tuesday from his institute in Gulf Breeze .
Some have questioned whether a reconstructive elbow surgery for a ballplayer is an essential procedure at this time .
“ We are not performing any non-urgent or non-emergent procedures , including Tommy John surgery , in compliance with the governor ’ s executive order .
We are adhering to these restrictions and all such cases are suspended at this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Andrews Institute spokesperson said .
Florida Gov .
Ron DeSantis issued an executive order earlier this month that bars “ any medically unnecessary , non-urgent or non-emergency procedure or surgery ” that wouldn ’ t put a patient at risk if delayed .
Stars Chris Sale , Noah Syndergaard and Luis Severino are among the pitchers who have had Tommy John surgery since spring training started , performed by different doctors .
Sale ’ s surgery was done by Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday .
ElAttrache also @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ I know that I ’ m going to get criticized for taking care of these kinds of guys , but it ’ s essential to their livelihoods , ” ElAttrache was quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle last week .
“ If you have somebody ’ s career at stake and they lose two seasons instead of one , I would say that is not a nonessential or unimportant elective procedure , ” he said .
Andrews , who turns 78 in May , has long been among the top sports orthopedists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a medical center in Birmingham , Alabama .

GULF BREEZE, Fla. — Prominent orthopedic surgeon Dr. James Andrews has temporarily halted Tommy John operations at his Florida medical center in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.
The announcement came Tuesday from his institute in Gulf Breeze. Some have questioned whether a reconstructive elbow surgery for a ballplayer is an essential procedure at this time.
“We are not performing any non-urgent or non-emergent procedures, including Tommy John surgery, in compliance with the governor’s executive order. We are adhering to these restrictions and all such cases are suspended at this time,” a statement from an Andrews Institute spokesperson said.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis issued an executive order earlier this month that bars “any medically unnecessary, non-urgent or non-emergency procedure or surgery” that wouldn’t put a patient at risk if delayed.
Stars Chris Sale, Noah Syndergaard and Luis Severino are among the pitchers who have had Tommy John surgery since spring training started, performed by different doctors.
Sale’s surgery was done by Los Angeles Dodgers head team physician Dr. Neal ElAttrache on Monday. ElAttrache also looked at Syndergaard’s situation.
“I know that I’m going to get criticized for taking care of these kinds of guys, but it’s essential to their livelihoods,” ElAttrache was quoted by the San Francisco Chronicle last week.
“If you have somebody’s career at stake and they lose two seasons instead of one, I would say that is not a nonessential or unimportant elective procedure,” he said.
Andrews, who turns 78 in May, has long been among the top sports orthopedists in the world. He also maintains a medical center in Birmingham, Alabama.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-31--Shuttered soup kitchens make life even tougher for homeless: ‘No sandwiches. No dinners. No nothing.

Shuttered soup kitchens make life even tougher for homeless: ‘No sandwiches. No dinners. No nothing.’

Outside Catholic Charities ’ headquarters on North LaSalle Street , homeless and other poor men and women are lining up as usual this week for the free meals served there each weekday evening .
As with life for the rest of us , however , there isn ’ t a whole lot about it proceeding as usual .
Instead of going inside for a sit-down meal in the dining hall as they would normally do , they are met at the door by a security guard with a Styrofoam to-go container or a bag lunch and sent quickly on their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in to get a shower or a change of clothes , or even to use the washroom .
The free medical screenings available some nights have also been curtailed for now .
The coronavirus crisis has made a challenging way of life even more challenging for Chicago ’ s homeless residents .
Still , I didn ’ t hear any complaints Monday from the folks picking up their meals at Catholic Charities .
“ Without them , a lot of us wouldn ’ t have anything to eat at all , ” said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wearing a soiled hospital mask .
“ Food stamps don ’ t go that far.
” Anderson , 56 , was homeless even before he lost his part-time job at a Rush Street restaurant when it was forced to close because of the pandemic .
He said he spends his nights on the L , riding it back and forth until it ’ s time to move along .
“ Me , too , ” chimed in a woman who wanted to tell us how a group of men had stolen her cell @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and how she fought them to get it back .
J.R. , who stays in the park at night , walked up with his bag lunch turkey sandwich and showed it to Anderson .
J.R. ate while we talked .
Anderson waited for the line to die down to pick up his hot meal of ham slices , au gratin potatoes , green beans and a cookie .
They filled me in about some of the soup kitchens that have closed up or pared back in the last few weeks because of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dinners .
No nothing , ” J.R. said .
That has made the dependable evening meals at Catholic Charities ’ LaSalle Street site all the more valuable .
Different churches and organizations take turns serving up the food .
Fourth Presbyterian Church serves the meal on Mondays .
Catholic Charities takes Tuesdays .
Chicago HELP Initiative has Wednesdays .
Holy Name Cathedral does Thursdays and Fridays .
“ We ’ re grateful for that , ” Anderson said .
“ I eat here all the time for years .
This is the only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The homeless people can list the closed food programs : St. Clement ’ s in Lincoln Park , First Saint Paul Lutheran Church just up the street and “ the Greek church , ” actually Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral .
Add to that the now absent twice monthly meals at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Ukrainian Village and the weekly Saturday meal at Cornerstone Outreach in Uptown .
Efforts are being made to fill the void .
In addition to its Wednesday meal at Catholic Charities , the Chicago HELP Initiative has collected hundreds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at some of the closed locations the last two Saturdays .
The group wants to team up with a commercial food truck to serve hot meals at those sites as well , but hasn ’ t yet worked out the logistics .
Doug Fraser , the group ’ s executive director , said the goal is to allow homeless people to stay close to their current locations or the places they are accustomed to finding food , instead of moving around the city in search of a meal .
But resources are a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Restaurants often partner with the groups that serve the food , providing restaurant quality meals at a greatly reduced cost .
“ It ’ s very tight right now , ” Fraser said .
Aside from a few people wearing masks or standing off to the side to avoid the line , the homeless people did not seem to be doing much to take into account the danger of the coronavirus .
There was very little social distancing being practiced .
Getting them to do so has proven difficult , acknowledged Andrew McKernin @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who said everything has been working out well otherwise with the new meal setup that typically serves more than 200 guests per night .
After getting his food , Aaron Curry , 58 , told me how the coronavirus is changing life on Lower Wacker .
The city is now providing homeless encampments with hand washing stations , but still no portable toilets , he said .
Finding a place to go to the bathroom is a bigger problem than ever with restaurants and public buildings closed — and hospitals guarding their doors @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be amazingly resilient , but they will continue to need help to survive this crisis .

Outside Catholic Charities’ headquarters on North LaSalle Street, homeless and other poor men and women are lining up as usual this week for the free meals served there each weekday evening.
As with life for the rest of us, however, there isn’t a whole lot about it proceeding as usual.
Instead of going inside for a sit-down meal in the dining hall as they would normally do, they are met at the door by a security guard with a Styrofoam to-go container or a bag lunch and sent quickly on their way.
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They can’t come in to get a shower or a change of clothes, or even to use the washroom. The free medical screenings available some nights have also been curtailed for now.
The coronavirus crisis has made a challenging way of life even more challenging for Chicago’s homeless residents.
Still, I didn’t hear any complaints Monday from the folks picking up their meals at Catholic Charities.
“Without them, a lot of us wouldn’t have anything to eat at all,” said Mark Anderson, a tall, lean man wearing a soiled hospital mask. “Food stamps don’t go that far.”
Anderson, 56, was homeless even before he lost his part-time job at a Rush Street restaurant when it was forced to close because of the pandemic.
He said he spends his nights on the L, riding it back and forth until it’s time to move along.
“Me, too,” chimed in a woman who wanted to tell us how a group of men had stolen her cell phone on the train the previous night and how she fought them to get it back.
J.R., who stays in the park at night, walked up with his bag-lunch turkey sandwich and showed it to Anderson.
J.R. ate while we talked. Anderson waited for the line to die down to pick up his hot meal of ham slices, au gratin potatoes, green beans and a cookie.
They filled me in about some of the soup kitchens that have closed up or pared back in the last few weeks because of the coronavirus.
“No sandwiches. No dinners. No nothing,” J.R. said.
That has made the dependable evening meals at Catholic Charities’ LaSalle Street site all the more valuable. Different churches and organizations take turns serving up the food.
Fourth Presbyterian Church serves the meal on Mondays. Catholic Charities takes Tuesdays. Chicago HELP Initiative has Wednesdays. Holy Name Cathedral does Thursdays and Fridays.
“We’re grateful for that,” Anderson said. “I eat here all the time for years. This is the only place for us to come to.”
The homeless people can list the closed food programs: St. Clement’s in Lincoln Park, First Saint Paul Lutheran Church just up the street and “the Greek church,” actually Annunciation Greek Orthodox Cathedral.
Carolyn Suttle, Aaron Curry and Kurt Jones pause to talk after picking up free meals from Catholic Charities. Normally they would stay and eat in the dining room. Mark Brown/Sun-Times
Add to that the now-absent twice-monthly meals at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Ukrainian Village and the weekly Saturday meal at Cornerstone Outreach in Uptown.
Efforts are being made to fill the void.
In addition to its Wednesday meal at Catholic Charities, the Chicago HELP Initiative has collected hundreds of bag meals and handed them out at some of the closed locations the last two Saturdays.
The group wants to team up with a commercial food truck to serve hot meals at those sites as well, but hasn’t yet worked out the logistics.
Doug Fraser, the group’s executive director, said the goal is to allow homeless people to stay close to their current locations or the places they are accustomed to finding food, instead of moving around the city in search of a meal.
But resources are a problem, especially with restaurants closing. Restaurants often partner with the groups that serve the food, providing restaurant-quality meals at a greatly reduced cost.
“It’s very tight right now,” Fraser said.
Aside from a few people wearing masks or standing off to the side to avoid the line, the homeless people did not seem to be doing much to take into account the danger of the coronavirus. There was very little social distancing being practiced.
Getting them to do so has proved difficult, acknowledged Andrew McKernin, Catholic Charities volunteer relations manager, who said everything has been working out well otherwise with the new meal setup that typically serves more than 200 guests per night.
After getting his food, Aaron Curry, 58, told me how the coronavirus is changing life on Lower Wacker. The city is now providing homeless encampments with handwashing stations, but still no portable toilets, he said.
Finding a place to go to the bathroom is a bigger problem than ever with restaurants and public buildings closed — and hospitals guarding their doors, he said.
Homeless people can be amazingly resilient, but they will continue to need help to survive this crisis.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-31--Need a thermometer to check for coronavirus? Good luck finding one

Betsy Hetzler has been trying to buy a thermometer for her 86-year-old father for three weeks , with no luck .
“ I ’ ve been checking [ stores ] regularly , ” said Hetzler of Geneva , who ’ d like a forehead model just in case the family needs to monitor his temperature for coronavirus symptoms .
But she ’ s reaching the point where almost any thermometer will do .
She ordered one on Amazon , but it has a May 1 delivery date .
Consumers around the country are finding that if they don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cabinet , it could be a while before they can get one .
As with shortages of face masks and other personal health care items in the age of COVID-19 , the supply of thermometers has dwindled online and in stores .
An elevated temperature is one of the key signs of infection with the novel coronavirus , though not everyone infected will develop a fever .
Still , taking your temperature is one of the recommended steps in determining whether a person has the virus .
A Chicago Sun-Times check this week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Walgreens , Walmart , Target and CVS turned up almost no available stock , with “ buy ” buttons disabled or shipping dates pushed back as far as May or even June .
In-store availability is spotty across Chicago , with many stores completely out or having only a few thermometers .
Sunil Chopra , a Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management professor who ’ s an authority on operations management , said the thermometer supply chain — much like that for face masks — was hit with a double-whammy of demand rising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , was overwhelmed with COVID-19 infections .
Chinese consumers were buying thermometers for their own families as factories in China were shutting down because workers were getting sick .
Now , U.S. consumers want thermometers , but there aren ’ t many left .
“ Supply dropped while demand went up , ” Chopra said .
Normally there would be excess supply in warehouses , “ but they ’ re empty , no supplies coming.
” The good news is that personal care thermometers aren ’ t particularly complex to manufacture , so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies return , according to Chopra .
Target said it ’ s “ coordinating stores , distribution centers and supplies so that the things our guests need most … are fast-tracked through the supply chain and prioritized for re-stocking.
” Amazon said : “ Inventory on certain items may be temporarily unavailable due to increased demand .
We are working with our partners to get these items back in stock as quickly as possible.
” Amazon didn ’ t offer specifics on the timeline for that .
CVS said , “ We ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as quickly as possible.
” Walmart and Walgreens didn ’ t respond to requests for comment .
Hetzler , the west suburban woman , has a Plan B in case things get desperate .
A relative has offered to mail their thermometer to her father if he still needs it .
But that person wasn ’ t keen on standing in line at a post office because of the coronavirus , she said , so she continues her search .
“ I ’ m going to continue to look , ” she said @

Betsy Hetzler has been trying to buy a thermometer for her 86-year-old father for three weeks, with no luck.
“I’ve been checking [stores] regularly,” said Hetzler, of Geneva, who’d like a forehead model just in case the family needs to monitor his temperature for coronavirus symptoms.
But she’s reaching the point where almost any thermometer will do. She ordered one on Amazon, but it has a May 1 delivery date.
Consumers around the country are finding that if they don’t have a household thermometer in their medicine cabinet, it could be awhile before they can get one. As with shortages of face masks and other personal health-care items in the age of COVID-19, the supply of thermometers has dwindled online and in stores.
An elevated temperature is one of the key signs of infection with the novel coronavirus, though not everyone infected will develop a fever.
Still, taking your temperature is one of the recommended steps in determining whether a person has the virus.
A Chicago Sun-Times check this week of online thermometer listings on Amazon, Walgreens, Walmart, Target and CVS turned up almost no available stock, with “buy” buttons disabled or shipping dates pushed back as far as May or even June.
Screenshot of a Walgreens.com thermometers search with “out of stock” notations highlighted. Stephanie Zimmermann / Sun-Times
In-store availability is spotty across Chicago, with many stores completely out or having only a few thermometers.
Sunil Chopra, a Northwestern University Kellogg School of Management professor who’s an authority on operations management, said the thermometer supply chain — much like that for face masks — was hit with a double-whammy of demand rising just as China, the main producer, was overwhelmed with COVID-19 infections.
Chinese consumers were buying thermometers for their own families as factories in China were shutting down because workers were getting sick.
Now, U.S. consumers want thermometers, but there aren’t many left.
“Supply dropped while demand went up,” Chopra said. Normally there would be excess supply in warehouses, “but they’re empty, no supplies coming.”
The good news is that personal-care thermometers aren’t particularly complex to manufacture, so it shouldn’t be long before supplies return, according to Chopra.
Personal care thermometers are in high demand as people test themselves for fever during the coronavirus pandemic. Stephanie Zimmermann / Sun-Times
Target said it’s “coordinating stores, distribution centers and supplies so that the things our guests need most … are fast-tracked through the supply chain and prioritized for restocking.”
Amazon said: “Inventory on certain items may be temporarily unavailable due to increased demand. We are working with our partners to get these items back in stock as quickly as possible.” Amazon didn’t offer specifics on the timeline for that.
CVS said, “We’re working with our suppliers to restock as quickly as possible.”
Walmart and Walgreens didn’t respond to requests for comment.
Hetzler, the west suburban woman, has a Plan B in case things get desperate. A relative has offered to mail their thermometer to her father if he still needs it. But that person wasn’t keen on standing in line at a post office because of the coronavirus, she said, so she continues her search.
“I’m going to continue to look,” she said.


chicagosun-times--2020-03-31--Chicago hospitals begin to lean on expanded ICU spaces as regular critical care beds fill

Several Chicago hospitals have moved critical care beds into unused spaces to handle an expected influx of coronavirus patients .
“ We are expanding our ICU capacity into other units that are not in use because of the suspension of elective surgery , ” Rush University Medical Center spokesman Tobin Clinger told the Chicago Sun-Times on Tuesday .
“ That is to say , while the normal ICU may be at capacity , our capacity for ICU patients is not because we are creating new areas for treatment.
” Dan Regan , a spokesman for Sinai Health System , confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ system were running at 95 % to 100 % percent capacity Tuesday , and it was “ ramping up our surge plans ” to expand .
Those plans included the repurposing of rooms and staff at Mount Sinai and Holy Cross hospitals , Regan wrote .
He also said mobile triage trailers were in use at both hospitals .
The goal , he said , is to help contain the virus “ by getting patients with minor symptoms evaluated and quickly sent back home with instructions and medicine to lessen their symptoms.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on transfer agreements with other hospitals to deal with the expected surge , Regan said .
Julie Pesch , a spokeswoman for Lurie Children ’ s Hospital , said it has offered to take pediatric patients from other hospitals to help with the rise in adult patients .
Dr. Jay Chauhan , president of the Chicago Medical Society , which represents 17,000 doctors in Cook County , said his members are reporting all Chicago hospitals are beginning to lean on added ICU space as their regular critical care space has reached capacity .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the Chicago Department of Health , said Tuesday that city hospitals are not close to reaching capacity of regular ICU beds , not to mention the additional capacity hospitals are creating .
“ Some individual hospitals will be under more pressure than others , of course , but right now the ICU situation is not far out of line with what it typically is , ” he said .
To ease pressure on hospitals needed for critical care , 500 beds were expected to become available this week at McCormick Place , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less severe symptoms .
The site will be outfitted with 3,000 beds in the coming weeks .
The state is also working to open similar facilities at the former Advocate Sherman Hospital campus in Elgin and the MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island .
Chauhan also has asked Gov .
J.B. Pritzker to grant doctors working under emergency conditions immunity from lawsuits that might stem from a variety of scenarios — including having to choose which patients receive a ventilator .
Last week , Chauhan sent a letter to Pritzker asking him to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ physicians have stopped ( non-emergency ) procedures .
Meanwhile , physicians are practicing outside of their specialties to treat an unprecedented number of patients while learning new technology like telehealth and coming out of retirement to treat sick patients .
But physicians worry these heroic efforts will be overshadowed by a potential lawsuit down the road if an elective surgery turns into an emergency situation or physicians are held responsible for a decision to ration care .
We understand hospitals are quickly writing policies that put the onus on physicians to decide who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work with you to assist in building capacity at hospitals by ensuring that all available physicians can participate without fear of a lawsuit after doing our best for Illinois patients in this unprecedented public health threat .
To do this , we would like for protections to be put in place to limit physician exposure to potential lawsuits .
In particular , we ask that you extend “ tort immunity ” to physicians under your state emergency declaration .
Chauhan said Tuesday he had not heard back from the governor ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in an email to the Sun-Times : “ The administration has spoken with the Chicago Medical Society and Illinois Hospital Association and are working on appropriate policy adjustments so health care workers can do their work to save lives.
” Chauhan said such an order from a governor would not be unprecedented and pointed to recent measures taken by New York Gov .
Andrew Cuomo to protect frontline doctors from litigation .

Several Chicago hospitals have moved critical care beds into unused spaces to handle an expected influx of coronavirus patients.
“We are expanding our ICU capacity into other units that are not in use because of the suspension of elective surgery,” Rush University Medical Center spokesman Tobin Clinger told the Chicago Sun-Times on Tuesday. “That is to say, while the normal ICU may be at capacity, our capacity for ICU patients is not because we are creating new areas for treatment.”
Dan Regan, a spokesman for Sinai Health System, confirmed in an email that ICUs in its system were running at 95% to 100% capacity Tuesday, and it was “ramping up our surge plans” to expand.
Those plans included the repurposing of rooms and staff at Mount Sinai and Holy Cross hospitals, Regan wrote. He also said mobile triage trailers were in use at both hospitals. The goal, he said, is to help contain the virus “by getting patients with minor symptoms evaluated and quickly sent back home with instructions and medicine to lessen their symptoms.”
The hospital system has also been working on transfer agreements with other hospitals to deal with the expected surge, Regan said.
Julie Pesch, a spokeswoman for Lurie Children’s Hospital, said it has offered to take pediatric patients from other hospitals to help with the rise in adult patients.
Dr. Jay Chauhan, president of the Chicago Medical Society, which represents 17,000 doctors in Cook County, said his members are reporting all Chicago hospitals are beginning to lean on added ICU space as their regular critical care space has reached capacity.
However, Andrew Buchanon, a spokesman for the Chicago Department of Health, said Tuesday that city hospitals are not close to reaching capacity of regular ICU beds, not to mention the additional capacity hospitals are creating.
“Some individual hospitals will be under more pressure than others, of course, but right now the ICU situation is not far out of line with what it typically is,” he said.
To ease pressure on hospitals needed for critical care, 500 beds were expected to become available this week at McCormick Place, which will be available for patients with less severe symptoms. The site will be outfitted with 3,000 beds in the coming weeks. The state is also working to open similar facilities at the former Advocate Sherman Hospital campus in Elgin and the MetroSouth Medical Center in Blue Island.
Chauhan also has asked Gov. J.B. Pritzker to grant doctors working under emergency conditions immunity from lawsuits that might stem from a variety of scenarios — including having to choose which patients receive a ventilator.
Last week, Chauhan sent a letter to Pritzker asking him to take action:
At your request, physicians have stopped (non-emergency) procedures. Meanwhile, physicians are practicing outside of their specialties to treat an unprecedented number of patients while learning new technology like telehealth and coming out of retirement to treat sick patients. But physicians worry these heroic efforts will be overshadowed by a potential lawsuit down the road if an elective surgery turns into an emergency situation or physicians are held responsible for a decision to ration care. We understand hospitals are quickly writing policies that put the onus on physicians to decide who will get a ventilator. Physicians want to work with you to assist in building capacity at hospitals by ensuring that all available physicians can participate without fear of a lawsuit after doing our best for Illinois patients in this unprecedented public health threat. To do this, we would like for protections to be put in place to limit physician exposure to potential lawsuits. In particular, we ask that you extend tort immunity to physicians under your state emergency declaration.
Chauhan said Tuesday he had not heard back from the governor’s office.
A spokeswoman for the governor said in an email to the Sun-Times: “The administration has spoken with the Chicago Medical Society and Illinois Hospital Association and are working on appropriate policy adjustments so health care workers can do their work to save lives.”
Chauhan said such an order from a governor would not be unprecedented and pointed to recent measures taken by New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo to protect frontline doctors from litigation.