chicagotribune--2020-05-15--‘I was almost in tears’: White Pines Resort guests mourn the closure of their beloved northwest Illi

‘I was almost in tears’: White Pines Resort guests mourn the closure of their beloved northwest Illinois retreat, a casualty of the coronavirus pandemic

“ I ’ m smart enough to know that the numbers just won ’ t work for being able to @ @ @ @ @ is based on volume , ” George said in the seven-minute video , in which @ @ @ @ @ the end of her 31-year run owning and operating the resort .
“ I ’ @ @ @ @ @ soul into this place .
I ’ m a mess trying to say that it @ @ @ @ @ anymore .
All the friends and the family and the staff — it ’ s @ @ @ @ @

Like so many families in Chicago and beyond, Dick Cagney has made countless memories over the years at White Pines Resort, a rustic retreat nestled in a state park roughly 100 miles west of the city.
The Wilmette resident started going to White Pines some 35 years ago, when his oldest son was just 7. Visits with all four of his kids became an almost annual ritual. They’d stay in a log cabin and tell stories around the campfire. After a long day’s hike, they’d dine on chicken pot pie and peach cobbler in the lodge’s restaurant.
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“Sometimes we’d sit on the hood of the car and just look up at the stars,” Cagney recalled.
He was thinking about making another visit to the Mount Morris property later this year, this time with his grandchildren in tow. But on Wednesday, Cagney heard the news that came like a gut punch to so many of White Pines’ loyal guests: The resort’s longtime owner, Beth George, said she has no choice but to close and file for bankruptcy because of the prolonged shutdowns tied to the pandemic.
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“I was almost in tears,” Cagney said about watching George’s emotional announcement on a video posted to Facebook. “We loved everything about that place.”
The resort's restaurant is a popular spot for guests and locals alike. (White Pines Resort)
In the video, George said her business, which includes a 250-seat restaurant and dinner theater, is heavily dependent on weddings, banquets and large gatherings, and it can’t survive Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s five-phase road map for reopening the state. The plan bans events with more than 50 people until there’s a vaccine, treatment or widespread immunity to COVID-19.
The statewide death toll from COVID-19 stands at 3,928 and a total of 87,937 known cases as of Thursday, according to officials.
“I’m smart enough to know that the numbers just won’t work for being able to reopen. ... My business is based on volume,” George said in the seven-minute video, in which she broke down crying about the end of her 31-year run owning and operating the resort. “I’ve poured my heart and soul into this place. I’m a mess trying to say that it won’t be there anymore. All the friends and the family and the staff — it’s breaking my heart.”
Like other concessionaires who operate facilities within an Illinois state park, George had a long-term lease with the state that let her use the 23 log cabins and lodge built in the 1930s by the Civilian Conservation Corps — ironically, as a result of another economic disaster, the Great Depression.
White Pines Resort is tucked within the 385-acre White Pines Forest State Park, about a two-hour drive west of Chicago. It's home to one of the southernmost stands of virgin white pine trees in the Midwest. (White Pines Resort)
The resort that George developed over three decades is surrounded by the 385-acre White Pines Forest State Park, home to one of the Midwest’s southernmost stands of virgin white pine trees. The bucolic area brims with Native American history and sits just a few miles away from White Pines Ranch, a longtime popular spot for school groups to stay overnight and ride horses.
Brittany Snyder, 24, of Walnut, grew up about 40 minutes from White Pines Resort. Her family routinely would go to the restaurant for Mother’s Day and special occasions. Last year, Snyder got married at the property. She planned on spending her first anniversary in the resort’s honeymoon cabin in June.
“I was really upset,” Snyder said of the closure. “I have so many memories there. I would have loved to be able to make memories like that with my kids some day.”
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Pre-pandemic, George had 54 weddings on the books for 2020. Cabin reservations in March, the start of the season, were unusually strong.
Brittany Snyder, seen here with husband Austin Snyder, grew up going to White Pines Resort in Mount Morris. Last year, she got married at the property. She planned on spending her one-year anniversary at the resort next month, only to learn that it's closing down as a casualty of the pandemic. (Brittany Snyder)
“It was primed to be a great year, probably my best year,” George said Thursday on the phone from Costa Rica, where the 61-year-old has been staying since traveling there to visit her son and welcome her new grandson shortly before flights ground to a halt.
White Pines Resort, which closes in the winter, was open for nine days in March before Pritzker closed state parks in the middle of that month and limited restaurants to carry-out. George had just spent money filling the lodge’s gift shop with new inventory and restocking the food freezer and wine cellar to kick off the season.
“When the five phases of Pritzker’s reopening came out last week, it was just the nail in the coffin,” she said in the Facebook video, adding that she thinks the governor’s timeline would have kept her from returning to business until March or April of 2021 at the earliest.
“I’ve been closed since December. ... What business could possibly go 16 months without being able to open? And money is going out every month for expenses — bleeding out.”
Brittany Snyder and her father Tim Schmitt sit in front of the fireplace in a log cabin during one of her earliest visits to the resort. About two decades later, Snyder got married at White Pines. (Brittany Snyder)
The resort employs between 45 and 55 people, depending on the time of year. George applied for the federal Paycheck Protection Program money and was approved, but she said it didn’t do her much good because her business was shuttered. She said her only viable option is to declare bankruptcy, something she intends to do after she’s paid back as much as possible to the brides and other clients who gave her advance deposits.
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The resort will hold a sale in its gift shop on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday, and the proceeds will be used to help with the refunds, George said.
The resort's offerings include a dinner theater. (White Pines Resort)
She’s hopeful that once the bankruptcy dust settles, the state will find another concessionaire to eventually reopen the resort, at least in some capacity.
That’s the hope of Glenview native Doug Foote too.
“It would be a crying shame if the state let that fall into disrepair,” said Foote, who lives in suburban Minneapolis.
Foote, 50, has been going to White Pines every year since he was just a few months old. He and more than 20 family members were headed there in October to celebrate the 50th anniversary of his visits.
The Foote family gathers around the campfire during one of their annual visits to White Pines Resort, which is closing because of the coronavirus pandemic shutdowns. Doug Foote, pictured here in a white T-shirt, proposed to his wife, Denise Foote, wearing a flannel, at the Mount Morris property in 1993. (White Pines Resort)
“I lost my dad when I was 16, and it’s the only place I still feel his presence,” said Foote, who proposed to his wife at White Pines. “We love this place. I’ve got kids that range from 14 up to 24, and they’ve made it every single year of their lives too. It’s a tradition.”
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He’s come to know George well over the years. He’s worried if the resort comes back, it won’t be the same without her.
George ended her Facebook video telling everyone she’s going to miss them terribly, but she’ll survive.
“I’m going to make it,” she said. “I’m just not going to make it at White Pines.”
Saying Goodbye After 31 Years. Saying goodbye after 31 years... We have some very important news to share with you all. It’s about COVID-19’s other deadly secret that no one is talking about…the death of the American Dream. Please take a minute to listen to this message from our owner Beth George. And if you don’t have time to watch the video, here are five key takeaways… . . . -Our historic gem that has been loved by so many far and wide for over 80 years is closing. -Beth was forced into bankruptcy due to the delayed reopening and restrictions from the Illinois Governor that has been placed on all restaurants and not being able to have events of over 50 people until there’s a vaccine. -Loss of freedom of speech for all business owners during this time -White Pines is hosting a going out of business Gift Shop sale May 18-20 from 10 AM – 6 PM. Please consider purchasing a momento and help us pay back our brides who were planning their wedding here. -Please continue to support Pine Creek Escape – book a cabin, book your wedding ceremony there and don’t forget about Starved Rock Lodge & Conference Center and so many other businesses that have been shut down. . . . We appreciate ALL OF THE SUPPORT over the past 30 plus years. It means SO much and we will miss you all! Posted by White Pines Resort on Wednesday, May 13, 2020
lrackl@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-05-15--12-year-old boy, the youngest victim of COVID-19 in Cook County, had fought health problems most of

12-year-old boy, the youngest victim of COVID-19 in Cook County, had fought health problems most of his life ‘with his strong spirit’

“ While he may have been taken from us at such a young age , we will never forget the @ @ @ @ @ he valued so much , ” Lara said on a GoFundMe page that raised more @ @ @ @ @ first three hours .
“ He was constantly surrounded by love and happiness , and @ @ @ @ @ made an impact on anyone he ’ s met .
”

Mourners gather around the casket of 12-year-old Ernesto Guzman at Resurrection Cemetery on May 20, 2020, in Justice. Ernesto was the youngest person to die of COVID-19 in Cook County. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
Standing 6 feet apart and wearing face masks, Ernesto Guzman’s teachers bid him farewell with white roses Wednesday as his family drove past his elementary school on their way to the cemetery.
Ernesto is the youngest person in Cook County to die from COVID-19. He was 12.
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"Our hearts remain broken for Ernesto and his family. Acero Marquez teachers, scholars, staff and families continue to mourn with Ernesto’s family. We are thankful for the opportunity to be a part of Ernesto’s remembrance. His spirit fills us with love and only fuels our commitment to service. He is our light now,” an Acero Marquez Elementary School statement said.
Nearly 20 teachers and school staff members waited for the procession that briefly stopped in front of the school. As part of a symbolic goodbye, a funeral home worker placed a cross with white flowers by the sidewalk.
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Teachers and staff of Acero Marquez Elementary School watch as the funeral procession for student Ernesto Guzman drives past the school on May 20, 2020, in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
“My little boy left,” said his mother, Rosa Lara, amid tears days after his death.
Ernesto was 6 years old when he underwent his first surgery for a rare disorder that was steadily damaging the nerves in his arms and legs.
Doctors told the family there was no cure, and the young boy would endure at least six more surgeries as he fought the debilitating disease.
“He was very strong and kept positive,” said his uncle and godfather, Sergio Lara. Ernesto hoped to get a job and buy a truck for his father, maybe make enough money so his mother could stop working.
In the last few weeks, Ernesto’s mother began having headaches and a fever, and immediately sought out a testing site for COVID-19. She tested positive. Ernesto and others in her family were tested, too, and the results came back positive for the boy, his older brother and two nephews.
Ernesto worried everyone the most. He had other health problems, including asthma, and struggled to leave his room at times.
Nearly two weeks after he was tested, Ernesto died from pneumonia caused by the coronavirus. His other conditions were listed as contributing to his death.
The boy’s mother is “absolutely heartbroken, we are trying to stay strong for her,” Sergio Lara said.
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Ernesto Guzman. (Family photo)
Ernesto was the baby of the family and a “soul that kept our family close-knitted,” Lara said. “When we had family gatherings, everyone would go to his room to see him, especially the kids, because they knew he couldn’t play with them.”
They would often drop off video games or his favorite food. He loved pizza, cheese sticks and burritos with green salsa his mother made.
More than anything, Lara said, Ernesto loved his nieces and nephews. Many of the photos shared by Lara show the boy carrying them as babies.
The last time Lara saw his godson was on April 10, when he stopped by the home. “He loved his family and always wanted us to be together.”
Ernesto Guzman, shown during a previous hospital stay. (Family photo)
Luis Vega remembered his younger brother as “a bright young man with many hopes and aspirations. He was very caring and thoughtful of others, especially his family. He had many goals to accomplish in life. His main priorities were assisting his parents.”
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Ernesto’s faith seemed to grow stronger as his disease progressed, according to Lara, who was Ernesto’s sponsor for First Communion last year. “He had an image of our Divino Nino (Divine Child Jesus) in his room.”
On a Facebook post, Tania Vega shared a collage of family photos to commemorate her little brother. “Your nephews will know the amazing person you were,” she wrote. “I promise you … please watch over us Ernie ... I know you aren’t going to be suffering no more and you’re somewhere up there with grandpa now.”
Teachers and staff at Acero Marquez Elementary School place white flowers on a chalk memorial in honor of their student 12-year-old Ernesto Guzman on May 20, 2020, in Chicago. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
Before May 14 the youngest COVID-19 victim in Cook County was a 19-year-old man from south suburban Riverdale, according to the medical examiner’s office. In March, public health officials said a 9-month-old boy from Chicago died after testing positive for COVID-19. But samples are still being tested to confirm the cause, the office said.
In the hours after Ernesto died, Lara created a GoFundMe page to help the family with funeral expenses. He asked for $5,000. Within 24 hours, it had raised more than $24,500.
“Ernesto was such a sweetheart and so funny,” friends of the family posted. “He was a light wherever he went.”
Lara said the family was “extremely” grateful for the kind words and the support. “It is a testament of the impact that Ernie had in this world,” Lara said. “But unfortunately, not even a million dollars will get him back to us.”
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larodriguez@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-05-15--‘Sweet Home Chicago’ telethon, sponsored by area CEOs, to support COVID-19 relief efforts Saturday

Last month , NBC Sports Chicago hosted the “ Be Chicago : Together We Can ” telethon to raise money @ @ @ @ @ Response Fund created by United Way of Metro Chicago and The Chicago Community Trust .
@ @ @ @ @ support to organizations fighting food insecurity , health services , emergency shelter and financial assistance @ @ @ @ @ as well as mortgage , rent and utility aid .

Business leaders from Chicago’s financial, development and entertainment industries are banding together to raise funds for the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund, along with other local charities and coronavirus relief efforts.
On Saturday, the Chicago CEO COVID-19 Coalition will conduct "The Sweet Home Chicago” telethon, which will be broadcast on NBC Sports Chicago at 5 p.m. and streamed on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.
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John Koudounis, CEO of Naperville-based Calamos Investments and founder of the coalition, declined to say how much the group has raised before the telethon, but said the fund is “off to a great start.”
Comedian Deon Cole will host the telethon. The event will include an appearance by former Chicago Bears coach Mike Ditka and the Chicago "superfans” — actors Joe Mantegna, George Wendt and Robert Smigel — reprising their “Saturday Night Live” sketch comedy.
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Also scheduled to take part in the telethon are the 1985 Bears’ Steve McMichael, Otis Wilson and Kevin Butler; Horace Grant, Zach LaVine and Toni Kukoc of the Chicago Bulls; Patrick Kane of the Blackhawks; Paul Konerko of the White Sox; Fergie Jenkins, Ryne Sandberg and Joe Maddon of the Chicago Cubs; and Brian Urlacher of the Bears.
Several other celebrities will make appearances as well, including Buddy Guy, Bob Odenkirk, D.B. Sweeney, Jenny McCarthy, Donny Wahlberg, Vic Mensa and Billy Zane.
Along with Calamos, corporate sponsors of the telethon include Northern Trust, Sterling Bay, Wintrust Financial Corp., Cinespace Chicago Film Studios, GCM Grosvenor, HighTower Advisors, Madison Dearborn Partners, Mesirow Financial, Astor Investment Management, PNC Bank and CIBC.
Donations will support local charities like the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund; Greater Chicago Food Depository; the Salvation Army Metropolitan Division; The Night Ministry; Catholic Charities, Archdiocese of Chicago; Greek Orthodox Metropolis of Chicago; Jewish United Fund; Metropolitan Family Services; the 100 Club of Chicago; and Howard Brown Health.
George Wendt, left, and Robert Smigel are interviewed Aug. 19, 2019, in Chicago while in costume to reprise an old "Saturday Night Live" sketch in which they play Bears fans. They are scheduled to participate in a COVID-19 telethon May 16, 2020. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)
Last month, NBC Sports Chicago hosted the “Be Chicago: Together We Can” telethon to raise money for the Chicago Community COVID-19 Response Fund created by United Way of Metro Chicago and The Chicago Community Trust. The fund aims to provide support to organizations fighting food insecurity, health services, emergency shelter and financial assistance through direct cash transfers, as well as mortgage, rent and utility aid.
The April telethon raised about $25,000, with an additional $20,000 from 7-Eleven, and led to additional donations, said Betsy Hughes, senior vice president and chief development officer for United Way of Metro Chicago.
The COVID-19 Response Fund has collected more than $32.3 million in nine weeks, and led to grants of more than $18.3 million to 285 local organizations, Hughes said. United Way will award additional grants as it receives applications from charities and more funding.
A telethon in New York on Monday, hosted by comedian Tina Fey, raised $115 million for New Yorkers affected by COVID-19.
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abjimenez@chicagotribune.com
Twitter @abdel1019


chicagotribune--2020-05-15--‘Everybody is just a paycheck away from being where I’m at’: StreetWise vendors, already scraping by

‘Everybody is just a paycheck away from being where I’m at’: StreetWise vendors, already scraping by, face empty streets amid COVID-19

Davis , 57 , reminisced this week about the entertainment venues and the customers they drew for StreetWise vendors like @ @ @ @ @ pandemic shut them down .
He has been selling the Chicago news magazine , which @ @ @ @ @ and income for people experiencing homelessness or other financial difficulties , for 19 years .
@ @ @ @ @ or at least , he did .

StreetWise vendor Lawrence Anthony uses an older issue of the publication and a poster with his face on it to appeal to customers during the coronavirus pandemic. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)
Cubs games were always a solid bet for StreetWise vendor Danny Davis, who could usually walk away with up to $400 from selling papers outside Wrigley Field.
Working outside United Center for Bulls or Blackhawks games was a little less profitable, but decent. Still, nothing paid out like a certain blockbuster musical downtown.
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“I tell you something I really miss,” he said. “The ‘Hamilton’ show. I ate off that show for 2 ½ years. If I worked two shows, I was guaranteed at least $400 a day.”
Davis, 57, reminisced this week about the entertainment venues and the customers they drew for StreetWise vendors like him, before the coronavirus pandemic shut them down. He has been selling the Chicago news magazine, which provides a source of work and income for people experiencing homelessness or other financial difficulties, for 19 years. He knows the business — or at least, he did.
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But those guarantees are no more, thanks to COVID-19.
“With the pandemic, it’s like you have to count pennies — make sure you don’t spend this to take care of that, because you never know,” Davis said. Davis now relies on his Postmates job with an assist from StreetWise (with food and stimulus money) to help him pay his $600 monthly rent in Englewood.
Fewer workers coming to the Loop means fewer people buying the StreetWise publication, so the nonprofit — part of an international network of street papers — is finding new ways to help vendors like Davis stay afloat.
The organization has pivoted to be solely online during the pandemic, said CEO Julie Youngquist. Instead of selling physical copies, vendors are out promoting digital sales and connecting with customers through laminated placards posted on or around their usual selling site.
Customers who see the sign can donate to their specific vendor through the Venmo app (@Streetwise) using the vendor’s badge number, or by subscribing online to do the same and receive the publication digitally. Vendors then come into the StreetWise office to pick up their donated money.
As the COVID-19 outbreak worsened, StreetWise launched a fundraising campaign March 18 in anticipation of a spike in layoffs.
“It is very precarious for many of these women and men who have come back from episodes of homelessness,” Youngquist said. “They are on the fringes, and not making $200 a week is the difference between sleeping in a (single-room occupancy) room for a week, or sleeping on the street, or asking to do some couch surfing. So, we’re really holding on tight.”
Streetwise vendor Lawrence Anthony, left, uses a personal approach to get pedestrians like Ted Griffiths to stop, talk and hopefully purchase a Streetwise subscription or use Venmo to make a donation while standing at Jackson and Dearborn in Chicago on May 8, 2020. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)
Lawrence Anthony, 65, is homeless and has been selling StreetWise on and off since 1994. For the past two years, he has been selling the publication six days a week on the corner of Jackson Boulevard and Dearborn Street, in front of the Monadnock Building. A good day for him typically meant he pocketed $100-$110.
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He’s nervous about selling papers these days, since he has existing health conditions and hasn’t been tested for COVID-19. But he has to eat, Anthony said, so he may as well sell. But his bottom line has been hit hard.
“Since everything has been closed down in the Loop, I’m lucky if I make $25,” he said. “It’s bad. I’ve never seen anything like this before. And just because you have regular customers, that don’t mean that you’re going to get something. You just have to be patient.”
Despite the downturn in cash flow, Anthony said he thinks the pandemic has helped bring out people’s humane side. Vendor Gregg Cole, 56, agreed. He said that since the stay-at-home order was put in place, he has actually “been able to get ahead,” selling StreetWise in Lincoln Square on weekdays, from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., since December.
StreetWise vendor Gregg Cole, 56, promotes the digital sale of the publication in the Lincoln Square neighborhood on May 8, 2020. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
“I’ve been very fortunate that I’m in an area that still has moving traffic,” he said. “The neighborhood has taken care of me very well. Customers have shown me a lot of love, and I don’t take them for granted. Let’s all get through this together and stay safe.”
Vendor Keith Hardiman, 58, said he has been selling StreetWise on Lake Street and Michigan Avenue for a decade, and while it has been really hard for the past two months, he has put up a poster with his face on it to let customers know he’s still here — and still in need of help.
StreetWise has helped him keep a roof over his head, Hardiman said, and when he doesn’t have anything to eat, he can go to the nonprofit’s new State Street office and pick up some food.
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Efforts to provide for the needs of StreetWise vendors are ongoing, Youngquist said. Because the nonprofit merged with the YWCA Metropolitan Chicago in March, a grant is available for vendors to do 2020 Census outreach, she said. But no date has been set on when that will happen.
“That will be a first opportunity — like a first get-back-to-work opportunity where maybe (vendors) aren’t selling magazines, but maybe this is a replacement source of revenue,” Youngquist said.
Until then, Hardiman is praying every day will be a good day.
“Everybody is just a paycheck away from being where I’m at,” he said. “Things are getting hard for everybody. And if they were hard for people that were working, think how hard it is for those out there in the streets to survive.”
drockett@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-05-14--Coronavirus in Illinois updates: Here’s what happened May 13 with COVID-19 in the Chicago area

State health officials on Wednesday announced 192 coronavirus-related deaths in the last 24 hours , a record high for one day .
The additional fatalities bring Illinois ’ death toll to 3,792 .
Officials also reported 1,677 new known cases , bringing the statewide number of known cases to 84,698 .
Officials said earlier this week that additional data shows that the state may not begin descending from its peak in the pandemic until mid-June , when previous models anticipated the peak would hit the state between late April and mid-May .
Earlier on Wednesday , Mayor Lori Lightfoot said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed , but several industries are on track to expand their services or reopen when the city reaches the next phase of its reopening plan .
It ’ s unclear when the city ’ s lakefront might reopen .
For almost two decades , Claudio Velez , aka the Tamale Guy , sold tamales out of a red cooler to appreciative late-night customers in North Side bars .
But when bars shut down in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic , Velez , like so many others , found himself without a source @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to home delivery .
But Chicago officials say he was operating without a food license and shut down his tamale operation earlier this month , prompting an outpouring of support from the community , and raising questions about inconsistent enforcement of street vendor regulations .
Read more here .
— Laura Rodríguez Presa and Elvia Malagón The 2001 letter from then-Attorney General Jim Ryan to the state Emergency Management Agency director appears to respond to questions about foot and mouth disease and whether the governor could “ exercise emergency powers in excess of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ disaster.
” According to the letter , which is among the documents filed with Bailey ’ s lawsuit , Ryan wrote that he would “ comment informally upon the questions you have raised.
” The act “ clearly authorizes the governor to exercise emergency powers for up to 30 days , ” Ryan wrote in the 2001 letter cited in the lawsuit .
“ A construction of its provisions to allow the governor to extend the 30-day period would render the limitation clause meaningless .
A more reasonable construction , taking into consideration @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is that the governor would be required to seek legislative approval for the exercise of extraordinary measures extending beyond 30 days.
” Bailey , of Xenia , is arguing that Pritzker has exceeded his authority by “ issuing disaster proclamations which fail to meet the definition of a disaster ” under the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act , and that the act does not give the governor the authority “ to restrict the movement or activities or business closures.
” Bailey filed an initial lawsuit last month , and a downstate judge in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exempting him from the stay-at-home order .
That ruling applied only to Bailey .
Pritzker has forcefully defended his stay-at-home order , and has said his actions to date are within the powers given to the governor by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act .
6:50 p.m. : OK Go has a new song/video 'All Together Now ’ in response to COVID-19 Former Chicago band OK Go has released a new song and video , titled “ All Together Now , ” that ’ s a response to the coronavirus pandemic and lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with COVID-19 .
The band , which can be known for its elaborate videos with Rube Goldberg machines or some other unexpected device as much as its songs , first posted the song and video late Tuesday .
In a phone interview from his California home -- the band decamped to Los Angeles some years back -- band leader Damian Kulash said “ All Together Now ” wasn ’ t the band ’ s usual work but the reaction has been positive .
“ I was pleased to see just how much it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he said .
Both Kulash and his wife Kristin and children caught coronavirus early in the pandemic and his wife ’ s symptoms were severe .
( All have since recovered . )
He said he was moved to write the song after she got better , and was also influenced by an essay historian Rebecca Solnit wrote for the Guardian .
The song doesn ’ t so much reflect what the world is now , he said , as the possibilities the current moment might afford .
There ’ s gratitude for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the 8 p.m. applause Angelenos share with residents of other big cities , including Chicago .
“ The vertigo of normal life has been knocked out by this thing , ” Kulash said .
“ That ’ s what I want to share .
The feeling is why I feel teary when I go out to the balcony and I hear people cheering.
” Read more here .
—Doug George The Kendall County sheriff announced Wednesday that his deputies will not fine or arrest people for gathering in large groups nor will they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s orders regarding social distancing .
Kendall County was recently linked to Cook County in the state ’ s northeast region under the governor ’ s five-phase reopening plan .
Baird said he hopes Pritzker will reconsider the decision and move Kendall County into another region “ more fitting to the community we are.
” Baird said since the benchmarks were released , calls have increased from residents asking about enforcement at church services , weddings , parties or graduation celebrations .
Deputies will not fine or arrest anyone for solely violating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
“ I was elected and took an oath as your sheriff to enforce the laws and protect your constitutional rights , ” Baird said .
“ The governor ’ s executive order is not a law.
” Read more here .
—Megan Jones U of C has been doing drive-up testing at its main hospital in Chicago as well as at its Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey .
Tests are available by appointment at the Orland Park and Harvey locations to those 18 and older .
People seeking @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered for testing if they have symptoms such as fever , cough , difficulty breathing and body aches , according to U of C Medicine .
Read more here .
— Mike Nolan The Rush University System for Health plans to not give raises this year and is asking executives to take pay cuts after suffering financial losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Rush had an operating loss of $ 43.1 million in March , according to a Rush memo obtained by the Tribune that was sent to employees this week .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Rush Oak Park Hospital and Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora .
Read more here .
— Lisa Schencker Officials said toll collections were about 42 % under projections for the month .
In the first four months of the year , the agency brought in about $ 73 million less than projected .
“ What ’ s important to us is that we ’ ve been able to keep folks working and keep on track with our 2020 capital plan , '' Alvarez said .
Read more here.—Mary Wisniewski 5:17 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fifth star to Chicago ’ s iconic flag ?
She ’ s floated the possibility twice in a week .
While unveiling her five-phase plan for reopening the citylast Friday , Lightfoot said , “ I want nothing less than for our efforts over the coming months to truly warrant a fifth star on our flag.
” She made the same point on Wednesday before the Economic Club of Chicago .
While announcing that the lakefront will remain closed , but several industries are on track to expand services or reopen when the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reopening plan .
Much of the social media response to the idea has been lighthearted .
One Twitter user opined that a fifth star should honor the 90s Chicago Bulls , or else there should be a riot .
Another joked : “ The fifth star will commemorate Lightfoot memes.
” Read more here .
— Gregory Pratt After the justices heard arguments in the case during an online video conference last week , they ruled against the governor , a decision that effectively places any COVID-19 public health restrictions in the purview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republicans , which would hold veto power over orders issued by Evers .
—Bill Ruthhart While many schools are turning to various forms of virtual commencement events to honor their graduating seniors , others are also making tentative plans for in-person ceremonies later in the summer , if public health guidelines will allow them .
“ Fighting the coronavirus should be everyone ’ s top priority and matters like these seem inconsequential at a time like this , but this is an idea I am proposing , ” one student wrote : “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ having a virtual ceremony . ''
Read more here .
—Karen Ann Cullotta A south suburban healthcare agency said it is housing a handful of children who ’ ve either been exposed to or tested positive for the coronavirus at a facility it owns in Midlothian , while officials in that suburb contend that violates village zoning rules .
In the lawsuit , Aunt Martha ’ s officials said the agency received a license late last month from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to operate the center , meant to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 18 who are under DCFS care and have either been exposed to COVID-19 or have tested positive for the virus and can ’ t remain in foster care .
Nick Valadez , an attorney for the village , said Wednesday that Aunt Martha ’ s needs a special use permit , which would require a public hearing , before the home could be used for COVID-19 youths , or anyone , under the age of 18 .
He wouldn ’ t say directly whether the village might seek a temporary restraining order , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of all possible remedies ” under the law .
“ At the end of the day the village has a responsibility to its residents as well as to the clients of Aunt Martha ’ s , ” which he described as a “ well-intentioned , benevolent organization.
” Read more here .
—Mike Nolan Illinois Gov .
J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday walked back his comments about Major League Baseball players from the day before , apologizing for “ leaving the impression that baseball players shouldn ’ t have the right ” to collectively @ @ @ @ @ @ @ season .
“ I want to address something that I said yesterday , regarding baseball and baseball players , ” Pritzker said .
“ I want to apologize for leaving the impression that baseball players shouldn ’ t have the right to bargain , to protect their health and safety .
I absolutely support that right .
I should have made that more clear.
” During Tuesday ’ s briefing , Pritzker said he was “ disappointed ” in baseball players for “ holding out ” for more money than the MLB proposal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of revenues between owners and players .
In ruling against the churches , however , Gettleman said a restraining order “ would risk the lives of congregants ... their family members , friends , co-workers and other members of their communities with whom they come in contact.
” Gettleman noted that the COVID-19 is a particular danger to spread in a church setting , regardless of how careful congregants try to be .
Read more here .
—Jason Meisner Two months into the pandemic , complaints are rising from the nursing home industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whether state regulators are doing all they can to limit deadly outbreaks in Illinois ’ 1,200-plus long-term care facilities .
The homes are tied to more than 1,500 coronavirus-related deaths of residents and workers — accounting for nearly half the deaths statewide .
Industry trade groups asked the Pritzker administration weeks ago to create a “ comprehensive plan ” the industry said was long overdue .
The coalition of trade groups has pushed the state for more testing and transparency , assistance with protective gear and staffing , and a more centralized approach @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need more help .
We need more coordination from the Department of Public Health .
There ’ s no question about that .
And we ’ ve been begging for it from the beginning , ” said Pat Comstock , who runs one of the groups , the Health Care Council of Illinois .
State officials say they have long had a comprehensive plan in place to help facilities follow care directives .
They said they can ’ t shoulder all the responsibility of caring for residents in what ’ s largely a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more here .
—Joe Mahr 1:50 p.m. : Chicago ’ s lakefront will remain closed , but here are the industries that Mayor Lori Lightfoot says are on track to expand or reopen during next phase Chicago ’ s lakefront will remain closed , but several industries are on track to expand their services or reopen when the city reaches the next phase of its reopening plan , Mayor Lori Lightfoot said on Wednesday .
But in a virtual speech to the Economic Club of Chicago , Lightfoot warned that the next six @ @ @ @ @ @ @ managing new outbreaks , as has happened in Georgia , South Korea , and Singapore , and said progress will continue to be slow .
The industries that are currently on track to reopen include those that are essential to providing basic needs and fighting the COVID-19 crisis , including grocery stores , emergency healthcare services , public transportation , and social services , Lightfoot said .
The 1.5 % interest rate on late property tax payments would normally be charged each month starting Aug. 3 , when the second installment of 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ halt the interest fees until Oct. 1 , and any payments made by then would be considered on time .
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle , commissioners and other county officials crafted the proposal after over a month of discussion and are expected to vote on it during their May 21 Board of Commissioners meeting .
The county treasurer ’ s office expects about $ 7 billion in property taxes during this second round .
Illinois lawmakers will return to Springfield next week for the first time since early March with a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ preventing the spread of the new coronavirus , according to special session plan documents .
“ We are all looking forward to a return to some semblance of normalcy – and certainly , as legislators , we are particularly interested in resuming normal operation of the House – but we must also recognize that these are not normal times , ” Madigan wrote .
Read more here .
–Jamie Munks 11:12 a.m. : The social-distancing police are among us .
Would you call out a neighbor for unsafe practices ?
Or call 911 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , they don ’ t wear uniforms .
They are not actual police officers , and no one is going to formally deputize them .
But they are watchful , and alarmed , mostly disgusted and , though it ’ s hard to see at times , idealistic .
Even well-meaning .
They don ’ t like what they see , and they hate what they must do but — YOU !
Your shopping cart !
It ’ s TOO close !
SIX FEET !
Some shout , some gesture and expect you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ actual police , phone an aldermen , even email their park district .
Many others , they head for Facebook , Twitter , the neighborhood app Nextdoor , where they register horror — a lack of consideration they just witnessed by a fellow Chicagoan .
They wonder why everyone is suddenly a jogger .
They report coffee houses for a lack of masks .
They call 311 to report 12 people sitting a little too close on the grass in a park .
And I wish they were me , I wish I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or post an angry Facebook tirade about the kids playing basketball next door who don ’ t belong to the same family .
I wish I could release the hounds .
But I hesitate .
The social distance police hesitate , too .
I know this because I ’ ve been talking to them .
Ultimately , they act .
They will report you .
10:41 a.m. : Little Company of Mary hospital was up against it when the coronavirus hit .
Then central Illinois nurses came to the rescue .
Without children @ @ @ @ @ @ @ couple decided that he should go wherever he could help most while she would stay back in central Illinois to take care of the farm .
They never planned for the possibility that Voyles , a registered nurse with experience in providing critical care , would be the one volunteering to go to the front lines .
As she moves about her duties in the ICU , Voyles wears a surgical cap with firetrucks printed all over it .
It ’ s intended to honor her fiance , but it just as easily @ @ @ @ @ @ @ danger while others seek safer ground .
Read more here .
—Stacy St. Clair 10:35 a.m. : ‘ It was set to be a record year ’ : Great Lakes cruise operators buckle up for a rough season in wake of the pandemic May typically marks the start of the season for cruise vacations on the Great Lakes , a burgeoning segment of the market that was shaping up to have a banner year in 2020 .
The magazine Travel + Leisure dubbed the Great Lakes one of the world ’ s top @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crediting much of the kudos to the region ’ s growing cruise offerings .
The number of port calls was expected to be way up in 2020 , with 11 ships making an estimated 950 stops at dozens of docks from Chicago to Montreal .
That ’ s compared with nine ships and 520 port calls in 2019 , according to the Great Lakes Cruising Coalition .
“ Now , it ’ s all come to a screeching halt , ” said Stephen Burnett , executive director of the Canada-based coalition that promotes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ safe to say at least half the Great Lakes cruising season is a wash at this point.
” Read more here .
—Lori Rackl Long-established elements of structural racism , from substandard housing to mass incarceration to limited job opportunities , are responsible for the disproportionate toll COVID-19 is taking on African Americans in Chicago and elsewhere , a new paper from the Chicago Urban League argues .
Read more here .
—John Keilman Fae Rose , of Evanston , had always planned to marry her high school sweetheart on the anniversary of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3 .
The recent graduate of Carthage College in Kenosha , Wisconsin , said she wanted her wedding to take place in Evanston .
But when it came to applying for a marriage license , the Cook County Clerk ’ s Office wasn ’ t issuing them , so Rose ended up having a livestreamed wedding on Facebook , officiated by her grandmother in Kenosha .
“ At the time , the office said they thought they ’ d have an online process up and running within a couple of weeks , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ back a few weeks later but couldn ’ t reach them at first .
... Out of desperation , I left messages to our congresswoman , Jan Schakowsky .
One of her aides called me back and said , we ’ re sorry , and it doesn ’ t look like we ’ re going to have anything in place in Illinois at all .
She said she talked to a couple of other people in desperate situations who need spousal privileges.
” But the situation was urgent for Rose and her partner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a higher risk for the coronavirus because she has multiple sclerosis , and they wanted to be able to make medical decisions for each other in case of serious illness .
Read more here .
—Hannah Herrera Greenspan 9:22 a.m. : Fed chief warns coronavirus recession could be lengthy , painful Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned Wednesday of the threat of a prolonged recession resulting from the viral outbreak and urged Congress and the White House to act further to prevent long-lasting economic damage .
The Fed and Congress have taken far-reaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ likely to be a severe downturn resulting from the widespread shutdown of the U.S. economy .
But Powell cautioned that widespread bankruptcies among small businesses and extended unemployment for many people remain a serious risk .
“ We ought to do what we can to avoid these outcomes , ” Powell said .
Additional rescue aid from government spending or tax policies , though costly , would be “ worth it if it helps avoid long-term economic damage and leaves us with a stronger recovery , ” he said .
Read more here @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bracing for Mexican beer shortage as coronavirus industry shutdown persists Chicago beer drinkers could see a shortage of popular imported Mexican brands as soon as next week due to an ongoing shutdown of Mexico ’ s beer industry .
Should the shutdown persist , beers owned by Constellation Brands — which include Modelo Especial , Corona and Pacifico — may also be in shorter supply by summer .
When Mexican beer production was paused in early April due to that country ’ s government not declaring brewing an “ essential ” industry — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. — observers predicted it would be resolved quickly or wouldn ’ t translate into empty store shelves .
However , the shutdown has endured .
The Mexican government has said brewing can begin next week only in the places where COVID-19 has been curbed .
While Heineken has paused brewing in Mexico , Constellation has said it continues to brew for the U.S. market at a reduced capacity .
However , how much beer Constellation is making and importing to the U.S. remains unclear .
Read more here .
—Josh Noel 8:50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s how to avoid falling for them Never have we been so attractive as targets for fraudsters and scammers as we are right now .
That ’ s because the uncertainty around the coronavirus pandemic has created more opportunities for robocallers , hackers and other thieves .
For one thing , millions of people are filing new claims for unemployment benefits and awaiting stimulus checks .
So when a phone call or an email from someone purporting to be a bank or a government official comes in , it is tougher for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many people being required to work from home , our personal tech devices have become an attractive target for those looking to infiltrate businesses .
Read more here .
—The New York Times 8:02 a.m. : Longtime Naperville couple die within a month of each other , both victims of COVID-19 complications Diane and Dalis Ramonas were active members of the Naperville community — she helped foster a relationship between the Naperville Woman ’ s Club and Loaves & Fishes Community Services and he was an avid skier and ski instructor who shared @ @ @ @ @ @ @ After a marriage of 35 years , they died within a month of each other — both victims of complications related to COVID-19 .
Read more here .
—Erin Hegarty and Suzanne Baker 7:01 a.m. : Streets and San to restart regular street cleaning in Chicago next week After only street sweeping around parked cars for six weeks , Chicago ’ s Department of Streets and Sanitation was scheduled to start posting no-parking notices and following its regular street cleaning routes Monday , according to notices posted by aldermen and news reports .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ ticketing and there will not be scheduled cleanings , ” although there would be street cleaning in all wards , the department said at the time in an update on services under the lockdown .
In notices posted by aldermen Tuesday , officials said Streets and San would officially start regular street sweeping Monday , following the calendar the department set before the stay-at-home order .
“ Signs will be hung on streets to be swept prior to sweeping , however at this time there will be no enforcement or citations issued related @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the office of Ald .
Pat Dowell , 3rd .
The Sun-Times reported aldermen had been asking the city to start posting signs and following the regular cleaning schedule , without ticketing .
—Chicago Tribune staff 6 a.m : Black Chicago churchgoers join one-quarter of Americans who say their faith ’ s grown stronger during the COVID-19 pandemic A recent Pew Research study found that 1 in 4 Americans said the coronavirus pandemic has deepened their faith .
Only 2 % said the pandemic has weakened their faith .
The study also found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pronounced among black American adults .
Forty-one percent of black adults said their faith is stronger , compared with 20 % of white adults and 30 % of Hispanic adults .
And 56 % of people who attend historically black churches say their faith has intensified during the pandemic , higher than any other group .
Nichole Phillips , director of Black Church Studies at Emory University ’ s Candler School of Theology , said the trend of stronger faith among black Americans is linked to the role the black church historically has @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The surge in faith comes as the virus infects and kills black Americans at a disproportionately higher rate .
Even as the gap has shrunk in the past few weeks , in Chicago , African Americans account for nearly more than a third of those who have tested positive and more than half of coronavirus-related fatalities , despite being less than a third of the city ’ s residents .
Latinos make up a little less than half for 40 % of infections and about a quarter of COVID-19-related deaths .
Read more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things that happened Tuesday that you need to know : Here are five things that happened Monday that you need to know :

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Paca Kujtim of Arlington Heights self-administers a COVID-19 test in his car at the Arlington International Racecourse on March 31, 2021 in Arlington Heights. Kujtim was getting testing as a precaution for upcoming travel. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
State health officials on Wednesday announced 192 coronavirus-related deaths in the last 24 hours, a record high for one day. The additional fatalities bring Illinois’ death toll to 3,792. Officials also reported 1,677 new known cases, bringing the statewide number of known cases to 84,698.
Officials said earlier this week that additional data shows that the state may not begin descending from its peak in the pandemic until mid-June, when previous models anticipated the peak would hit the state between late April and mid-May.
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The higher case counts are linked to a higher rate of testing. There were 17,668 COVID-19 tests conducted over the past day, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Ngozi Ezike said Wednesday.
Earlier on Wednesday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said that Chicago’s lakefront will remain closed, but several industries are on track to expand their services or reopen when the city reaches the next phase of its reopening plan. It’s unclear when the city’s lakefront might reopen.
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[ COVID-19 cases in Illinois by ZIP code: Search for your neighborhood ]
[ How will Illinois reopen? Three charts breaking down Pritzker’s plan ]
[ As the coronavirus spreads, the Tribune is tracking Illinois cases here ]
Here’s what happened May 13 with COVID-19 in the Chicago area and Illinois:
7:18 p.m.: Chicago’s legendary Tamale Guy is shut down during pandemic, but community rallies to support him
For almost two decades, Claudio Velez, aka the Tamale Guy, sold tamales out of a red cooler to appreciative late-night customers in North Side bars. But when bars shut down in mid-March due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Velez, like so many others, found himself without a source of income and shifted his business model to home delivery.
With the help of others, he began taking pre-orders and sold hundreds of tamales, including at two curbside pick-up events organized by the West Loop Community Garden.
But Chicago officials say he was operating without a food license and shut down his tamale operation earlier this month, prompting an outpouring of support from the community, and raising questions about inconsistent enforcement of street vendor regulations. Read more here. — Laura Rodríguez Presa and Elvia Malagón
7:09 p.m.: Downstate legislator cites 2001 letter from then-AG Jim Ryan in amended lawsuit challenging Pritzker’s stay-at-home order
Republican state Rep. Darren Bailey has filed an amended lawsuit in a downstate court challenging Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order, contending that a 2001 Illinois Attorney General document contradicts the state’s position on why the order could be extended beyond the initial 30 days.
The 2001 letter from then-Attorney General Jim Ryan to the state Emergency Management Agency director appears to respond to questions about foot and mouth disease and whether the governor could “exercise emergency powers in excess of 30 days after the declaration of a disaster.”
According to the letter, which is among the documents filed with Bailey’s lawsuit, Ryan wrote that he would “comment informally upon the questions you have raised.”
The act “clearly authorizes the governor to exercise emergency powers for up to 30 days,” Ryan wrote in the 2001 letter cited in the lawsuit. “A construction of its provisions to allow the governor to extend the 30-day period would render the limitation clause meaningless. A more reasonable construction, taking into consideration the other provisions of the act, is that the governor would be required to seek legislative approval for the exercise of extraordinary measures extending beyond 30 days.”
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Bailey, of Xenia, is arguing that Pritzker has exceeded his authority by “issuing disaster proclamations which fail to meet the definition of a disaster” under the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act, and that the act does not give the governor the authority “to restrict the movement or activities or business closures.”
Bailey filed an initial lawsuit last month, and a downstate judge in Clay County issued a temporary restraining order exempting him from the stay-at-home order. That ruling applied only to Bailey. Pritzker has forcefully defended his stay-at-home order, and has said his actions to date are within the powers given to the governor by the Illinois Emergency Management Agency Act.
In defending that initial lawsuit, the Illinois Attorney General’s Office countered that it relies on an erroneous reading of the act and ignores the governor’s independent authority under the Illinois Constitution.
Bailey later asked an appeals court to withdraw the order so he could refile his lawsuit with new information. Read more here. — Jamie Munks
6:50 p.m.: OK Go has a new song/video 'All Together Now’ in response to COVID-19
Former Chicago band OK Go has released a new song and video, titled “All Together Now,” that’s a response to the coronavirus pandemic and lead sing Damian Kulashs’ own frightening experience with COVID-19. The band, which can be known for its elaborate videos with Rube Goldberg machines or some other unexpected device as much as its songs, first posted the song and video late Tuesday. In a phone interview from his California home -- the band decamped to Los Angeles some years back -- band leader Damian Kulash said “All Together Now” wasn’t the band’s usual work but the reaction has been positive. “I was pleased to see just how much it was emotionally resonating with people,” he said.
Both Kulash and his wife Kristin and children caught coronavirus early in the pandemic and his wife’s symptoms were severe. (All have since recovered.) He said he was moved to write the song after she got better, and was also influenced by an essay historian Rebecca Solnit wrote for the Guardian.
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The song doesn’t so much reflect what the world is now, he said, as the possibilities the current moment might afford. There’s gratitude for healthcare workers in there too, specifically the 8 p.m. applause Angelenos share with residents of other big cities, including Chicago. “The vertigo of normal life has been knocked out by this thing,” Kulash said. “That’s what I want to share. The feeling is why I feel teary when I go out to the balcony and I hear people cheering.” Read more here. —Doug George
6:45 p.m.: Kendall County sheriff won’t bust gatherings, businesses for not following governor’s COVID-19 orders
The Kendall County sheriff announced Wednesday that his deputies will not fine or arrest people for gathering in large groups nor will they target small businesses that violate the governor’s orders regarding social distancing.
Sheriff Dwight Baird said he has received many inquires in recent weeks regarding the enforcement of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s executive orders regarding COVID-19 and businesses that are classified as non-essential.
Kendall County was recently linked to Cook County in the state’s northeast region under the governor’s five-phase reopening plan. Baird said he hopes Pritzker will reconsider the decision and move Kendall County into another region “more fitting to the community we are.”
Baird said since the benchmarks were released, calls have increased from residents asking about enforcement at church services, weddings, parties or graduation celebrations. Deputies will not fine or arrest anyone for solely violating the governor’s orders, Baird said in a statement.
“I was elected and took an oath as your sheriff to enforce the laws and protect your constitutional rights,” Baird said. “The governor’s executive order is not a law.” Read more here. —Megan Jones
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6:29 p.m.: UChicago Medicine expands curbside COVID-19 testing to Orland Park
University of Chicago Medicine has expanded curbside COVID-19 testing to its Orland Park outpatient center for people exhibiting symptoms of the virus.
U of C has been doing drive-up testing at its main hospital in Chicago as well as at its Ingalls Memorial Hospital in Harvey.
Testing at the Center for Advanced Care, 14290 S. LaGrange Road, Orland Park, was launched Tuesday, according to U of C Medicine.
Tests are available by appointment at the Orland Park and Harvey locations to those 18 and older. People seeking testing will be screened and will be considered for testing if they have symptoms such as fever, cough, difficulty breathing and body aches, according to U of C Medicine. Read more here. — Mike Nolan
6:23 p.m.: Rush hospital system latest to make cuts amid COVID-19 financial struggles
The Rush University System for Health plans to not give raises this year and is asking executives to take pay cuts after suffering financial losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Many Chicago-area hospitals have been making cuts in recent weeks after losing money because of canceled elective surgeries, fewer non-COVID-19 patients and the costs of handling the pandemic.
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Rush had an operating loss of $43.1 million in March, according to a Rush memo obtained by the Tribune that was sent to employees this week. The system includes Rush University Medical Center, Rush Oak Park Hospital and Rush Copley Medical Center in Aurora. Read more here. — Lisa Schencker
5:46 p.m.: Illinois Tollway collections down $52 million in April due to pandemic
The Illinois Tollway brought in $52 million less in tolls during April than projected, due to the coronavirus pandemic’s impact on travel.
Officials said toll collections were about 42% under projections for the month. In the first four months of the year, the agency brought in about $73 million less than projected.
However, the loss has not resulted in any halts in construction or layoffs at the agency, officials said.
“We’re continuing the important work we have going,” said Tollway executive director Jose Alvarez. He noted May numbers are looking better.
“What’s important to us is that we’ve been able to keep folks working and keep on track with our 2020 capital plan," Alvarez said. Read more here.—Mary Wisniewski
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5:17 p.m.: Does Lightfoot want to add a fifth star to Chicago’s iconic flag? She’s floated the possibility twice in a week.
Twice in the past week, Mayor Lori Lightfoot has raised the possibility of Chicago possibly adding a fifth red star to its iconic flag marking the city’s COVID-19 pandemic response.
It’s led many to wonder: Is she for real?
While unveiling her five-phase plan for reopening the citylast Friday, Lightfoot said, “I want nothing less than for our efforts over the coming months to truly warrant a fifth star on our flag.”
She made the same point on Wednesday before the Economic Club of Chicago. While announcing that the lakefront will remain closed, but several industries are on track to expand services or reopen when the city reaches the next phase of her reopening plan.
Much of the social media response to the idea has been lighthearted. One Twitter user opined that a fifth star should honor the 90s Chicago Bulls, or else there should be a riot. Another joked: “The fifth star will commemorate Lightfoot memes.” Read more here. — Gregory Pratt
5:12 p.m.: Wisconsin stay-at-home order struck down by state Supreme Court
Conservative justices on the Wisconsin Supreme Court struck down Democratic Gov. Tony Evers months-long stay-at-home order in a ruling released Wednesday.
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The decision sided with the Republican leaders of the state legislature who argued the governor’s administration had overstepped its legal authority in extending Evers’ “safer-at-home” order until May 26.
As part of the ruling, the justices granted an one-week stay to give Evers and lawmakers time to agree on new public health rules to replace the stay-at-home order.
In the suit, GOP lawmakers contended that Evers and Department of Health Services Secretary Andrea Palm could not continue to extend stay-at-home orders indefinitely without seeking approval from the state legislature.
Attorneys for Evers contended that the governor and the state’s top health official acted under clear emergency powers allowed for under state law.
After the justices heard arguments in the case during an online video conference last week, they ruled against the governor, a decision that effectively places any COVID-19 public health restrictions in the purview of a rule-making legislative committee controlled by Republicans, which would hold veto power over orders issued by Evers. —Bill Ruthhart
5:11 p.m.: Students launch petition drives to have graduation ceremonies later rather than never
High school and college seniors at several schools in the Chicago area have started online petitions seeking to have graduation ceremonies held after more coronavirus-related restrictions are lifted.
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While many schools are turning to various forms of virtual commencement events to honor their graduating seniors, others are also making tentative plans for in-person ceremonies later in the summer, if public health guidelines will allow them.
“Fighting the coronavirus should be everyone’s top priority and matters like these seem inconsequential at a time like this, but this is an idea I am proposing,” one student wrote: “Postpone the traditional graduation ceremony instead of having a virtual ceremony." Read more here. —Karen Ann Cullotta
5:07 p.m.: Midlothian officials say COVID-19 home for children violates zoning laws
A south suburban healthcare agency said it is housing a handful of children who’ve either been exposed to or tested positive for the coronavirus at a facility it owns in Midlothian, while officials in that suburb contend that violates village zoning rules.
Aunt Martha’s Health and Wellness filed suit Tuesday alleging Midlothian violated federal fair housing laws. The lawsuit said it is operating the quarantine facility in a single-family home previously used to provide transitional housing for homeless young adults.
In the lawsuit, Aunt Martha’s officials said the agency received a license late last month from the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services to operate the center, meant to house children up to the age of 18 who are under DCFS care and have either been exposed to COVID-19 or have tested positive for the virus and can’t remain in foster care.
Midlothian approved a building permit sought by Aunt Martha’s to modify the home, including installing a negative pressure ventilation system to control the spread of airborne pathogens, according to the lawsuit.
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Nick Valadez, an attorney for the village, said Wednesday that Aunt Martha’s needs a special use permit, which would require a public hearing, before the home could be used for COVID-19 youths, or anyone, under the age of 18.
He wouldn’t say directly whether the village might seek a temporary restraining order, but that it will “avail itself of all possible remedies” under the law.
“At the end of the day the village has a responsibility to its residents as well as to the clients of Aunt Martha’s,” which he described as a “well-intentioned, benevolent organization.” Read more here. —Mike Nolan
4:47 p.m.: Pritzker apologizes for his comments on MLB players ‘holding out’ for more money
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday walked back his comments about Major League Baseball players from the day before, apologizing for “leaving the impression that baseball players shouldn’t have the right” to collectively bargain with team owners over starting the season.
Before taking questions during his daily coronavirus press briefing, Pritzker returned to the subject of MLB’s proposed plan to start a shortened season in early July.
“I want to address something that I said yesterday, regarding baseball and baseball players,” Pritzker said. “I want to apologize for leaving the impression that baseball players shouldn’t have the right to bargain, to protect their health and safety. I absolutely support that right. I should have made that more clear.”
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During Tuesday’s briefing, Pritzker said he was “disappointed” in baseball players for “holding out” for more money than the MLB proposal, which calls for a 50-50 split of revenues between owners and players.
The players union hasn’t accepted or rejected the proposal, which it didn’t receive from owners until Tuesday. Read more here. —Chicago Tribune staff
3:49 p.m.: Federal judge spikes 2 Chicago-area churches’ legal challenge to Pritzker’s stay-at-home order
A federal judge on Wednesday denied a bid by two local churches to hold services despite Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s coronavirus stay-at-home order, blasting the request for a preliminary injunction as “both ill-founded and selfish.”
The lawsuit filed Thursday by the Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church on Chicago’s Northwest Side and Logos Baptist Ministries in Niles sought a temporary restraining order allowing services to continue without “threat of criminal sanctions” by state and local officials.
Leaders for both churches vowed to adhere to strict social distancing guidelines.
In ruling against the churches, however, Gettleman said a restraining order “would risk the lives of congregants...their family members, friends, co-workers and other members of their communities with whom they come in contact.”
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Gettleman noted that the COVID-19 is a particular danger to spread in a church setting, regardless of how careful congregants try to be. Read more here. —Jason Meisner
2:35 p.m.: Illinois sees highest number of COVID-19 deaths in the last 24 hours
There was a new record high number of daily COVID-19 related deaths reported Wednesday, 192, bringing the statewide death toll to 3,792.
Officials also reported 1,677 new known cases Wednesday, bringing the total number of known cases to 84,698 since the pandemic began.
There were 17,668 COVID-19 tests conducted over the past day, said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike.
The statewide seven-day rolling positivity rate among those tested was 17% as of Wednesday, according to the Department of Public Health.
With Edwards County now reporting a positive case of COVID-19, 99 of Illinois’ 102 counties have seen known positive cases. —Jamie Munks
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2:03 p.m.: Nursing home industry, consumer advocates seek more state action to help fight COVID-19
Two months into the pandemic, complaints are rising from the nursing home industry, consumer advocates and local officials over whether state regulators are doing all they can to limit deadly outbreaks in Illinois’ 1,200-plus long-term care facilities. The homes are tied to more than 1,500 coronavirus-related deaths of residents and workers — accounting for nearly half the deaths statewide.
Industry trade groups asked the Pritzker administration weeks ago to create a “comprehensive plan” the industry said was long overdue. The coalition of trade groups has pushed the state for more testing and transparency, assistance with protective gear and staffing, and a more centralized approach to managing the crisis.
“We need more help. We need more coordination from the Department of Public Health. There’s no question about that. And we’ve been begging for it from the beginning,” said Pat Comstock, who runs one of the groups, the Health Care Council of Illinois.
Others say deeper state oversight and intervention is especially important in an industry they say struggled to provide adequate care even before the pandemic.
“The state needs to step up and treat this as the emergency that it is, and it’s not,” said AARP Illinois State Director Bob Gallo.
State officials say they have long had a comprehensive plan in place to help facilities follow care directives. They said they can’t shoulder all the responsibility of caring for residents in what’s largely a privately run, taxpayer-subsidized industry. Read more here. —Joe Mahr
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1:50 p.m.: Chicago’s lakefront will remain closed, but here are the industries that Mayor Lori Lightfoot says are on track to expand or reopen during next phase
Chicago’s lakefront will remain closed, but several industries are on track to expand their services or reopen when the city reaches the next phase of its reopening plan, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said on Wednesday.
But in a virtual speech to the Economic Club of Chicago, Lightfoot warned that the next six to 12 months are likely to include managing new outbreaks, as has happened in Georgia, South Korea, and Singapore, and said progress will continue to be slow.
She also warned that the public’s continued adherence to stay-at-home social distancing rules will be key to making progress.
“Reopening will be like slowly turning on a dimmer, not flipping a light switch,” Lightfoot said.
The industries that are currently on track to reopen include those that are essential to providing basic needs and fighting the COVID-19 crisis, including grocery stores, emergency healthcare services, public transportation, and social services, Lightfoot said.
The second are industries with built-in social distancing and where protective gear is part of usual operations, including non-emergency but important medical procedures, Lightfoot said.
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It also includes construction and manufacturing previously halted, which will resume with health protocols in place, Lightfoot said.
In the next phase, Lightfoot said she wants to reopen child and adult-care services, with a focus on essential workers.
This includes industries such as child-care, which will resume operations with a focus on essential workers.
The city also will expect to reopen parks and library programming with strict health protocols, Lightfoot said.
Chicago is working to determine how best to reopen restaurants, retail, and salons – things that, Lightfoot said, “make us feel human."
Lightfoot’s announcements mark the latest guidelines she’s provided for potentially reopening the city. Read more here. —Gregory Pratt
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12:20 p.m.: Cook County Board to vote on waiving 1.5% interest fee on late property tax payments through October 1
Cook County officials plan to waive late penalties on property taxes due in the summer for two months, potentially easing the strain on homeowners and commercial property owners battered financially by the coronavirus pandemic.
The 1.5% interest rate on late property tax payments would normally be charged each month starting Aug. 3, when the second installment of 2019 bills is due. The proposal would halt the interest fees until Oct. 1, and any payments made by then would be considered on time.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle, commissioners and other county officials crafted the proposal after over a month of discussion and are expected to vote on it during their May 21 Board of Commissioners meeting. The county treasurer’s office expects about $7 billion in property taxes during this second round.
“These are incredibly difficult times for our residents and this measure creates much-needed breathing room for Cook County property owners,” Preckwinkle said in a Wednesday statement. Read more here. —Alice Yin
11:30 a.m.: Illinois lawmakers set to return to Springfield next week
Illinois lawmakers will return to Springfield next week for the first time since early March with a range of modifications in place aimed at preventing the spread of the new coronavirus, according to special session plan documents.
House Speaker Michael Madigan wrote in a letter to House Republican Leader Jim Durkin he will ask House Democrats to sign a pledge committing to a series of precautions approved by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
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“We are all looking forward to a return to some semblance of normalcy – and certainly, as legislators, we are particularly interested in resuming normal operation of the House – but we must also recognize that these are not normal times,” Madigan wrote. Read more here. –Jamie Munks
11:12 a.m.: The social-distancing police are among us. Would you call out a neighbor for unsafe practices? Or call 911?
Here come the Social Distancing Police.
They don’t carry badges, they don’t wear uniforms. They are not actual police officers, and no one is going to formally deputize them. But they are watchful, and alarmed, mostly disgusted and, though it’s hard to see at times, idealistic. Even well-meaning. They don’t like what they see, and they hate what they must do but — YOU! Your shopping cart! It’s TOO close! SIX FEET! Some shout, some gesture and expect you to get the point. Some call actual police, phone an aldermen, even email their park district.
Many others, they head for Facebook, Twitter, the neighborhood app Nextdoor, where they register horror — a lack of consideration they just witnessed by a fellow Chicagoan. They wonder why everyone is suddenly a jogger. They report coffee houses for a lack of masks. They call 311 to report 12 people sitting a little too close on the grass in a park.
They are you, they are us.
And I wish they were me, I wish I had it in me to call police or post an angry Facebook tirade about the kids playing basketball next door who don’t belong to the same family. I wish I could release the hounds. But I hesitate. The social distance police hesitate, too. I know this because I’ve been talking to them. Ultimately, they act. They will report you.
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Shame, they understand, is powerful. Read more here. —Christopher Borrelli
10:41 a.m.: Little Company of Mary hospital was up against it when the coronavirus hit. Then central Illinois nurses came to the rescue.
Shelby Voyles and her firefighter fiance, Jake Mohr, often talked about what would happen if another Sept. 11 attack occurred.
Without children or other pressing family responsibilities, the couple decided that he should go wherever he could help most while she would stay back in central Illinois to take care of the farm. They never planned for the possibility that Voyles, a registered nurse with experience in providing critical care, would be the one volunteering to go to the front lines.
Eight weeks ago, Voyles raised her hand to work the overnight shift in the intensive care unit at OSF HealthCare Little Company of Mary Medical Center, a 298-bed hospital serving a portion of southern Cook County hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 outbreak.
As she moves about her duties in the ICU, Voyles wears a surgical cap with firetrucks printed all over it. It’s intended to honor her fiance, but it just as easily could represent her willingness to run toward danger while others seek safer ground. Read more here. —Stacy St. Clair
10:35 a.m.: ‘It was set to be a record year’: Great Lakes cruise operators buckle up for a rough season in wake of the pandemic
May typically marks the start of the season for cruise vacations on the Great Lakes, a burgeoning segment of the market that was shaping up to have a banner year in 2020.
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Until the pandemic turned the tourism industry on its head, buzz had been building about Great Lakes cruises — and so had business.
The magazine Travel + Leisure dubbed the Great Lakes one of the world’s top 50 spots to visit this year, crediting much of the kudos to the region’s growing cruise offerings. The number of port calls was expected to be way up in 2020, with 11 ships making an estimated 950 stops at dozens of docks from Chicago to Montreal. That’s compared with nine ships and 520 port calls in 2019, according to the Great Lakes Cruising Coalition.
“Now, it’s all come to a screeching halt,” said Stephen Burnett, executive director of the Canada-based coalition that promotes passenger cruises. “It’s safe to say at least half the Great Lakes cruising season is a wash at this point.” Read more here. —Lori Rackl
10:15 a.m.: Report: Structural racism — from segregated housing to limited job opportunities — responsible for high rate of COVID-19 deaths among African Americans
Long-established elements of structural racism, from substandard housing to mass incarceration to limited job opportunities, are responsible for the disproportionate toll COVID-19 is taking on African Americans in Chicago and elsewhere, a new paper from the Chicago Urban League argues. Read more here. —John Keilman
9:30 a.m.: Grocery prices see biggest monthly increase in nearly 50 years
The coronavirus pandemic has folks paying more to stock up at the grocery store and eat at home.
Grocery prices saw their biggest monthly increase in nearly 50 years last month, according to the latest report from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
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The index for meats, poultry, fish, and eggs increased the most among food groups, rising 4.3%. A separate index for eggs alone increased 16.1%.
The index for cereals and bakery products also rose 2.9% in April, its largest monthly increase ever.
All six major grocery store food groups increased at least 1.5% month-to-month, the Labor Department said. Read more here. —The Morning Call
9:29 a.m.: Can you get a marriage license in Cook County during the coronavirus pandemic? Well, that depends.
Imagine planning your dream Chicago wedding only to have the ceremony postponed due to the novel coronavirus. And imagine all of the hoops you would need to jump through to even get a marriage license during the pandemic.
Fae Rose, of Evanston, had always planned to marry her high school sweetheart on the anniversary of the beginning of their relationship, May 3. The recent graduate of Carthage College in Kenosha, Wisconsin, said she wanted her wedding to take place in Evanston. But when it came to applying for a marriage license, the Cook County Clerk’s Office wasn’t issuing them, so Rose ended up having a livestreamed wedding on Facebook, officiated by her grandmother in Kenosha.
“At the time, the office said they thought they’d have an online process up and running within a couple of weeks,” says Rose. “I tried calling back a few weeks later but couldn’t reach them at first. ... Out of desperation, I left messages to our congresswoman, Jan Schakowsky. One of her aides called me back and said, we’re sorry, and it doesn’t look like we’re going to have anything in place in Illinois at all. She said she talked to a couple of other people in desperate situations who need spousal privileges.”
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Luckily, the clerk’s office for Kenosha County, Wisconsin, was still open. Rose said she had considered this a last resort.
But the situation was urgent for Rose and her partner for health reasons. Rose is at a higher risk for the coronavirus because she has multiple sclerosis, and they wanted to be able to make medical decisions for each other in case of serious illness. Read more here. —Hannah Herrera Greenspan
9:22 a.m.: Fed chief warns coronavirus recession could be lengthy, painful
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell warned Wednesday of the threat of a prolonged recession resulting from the viral outbreak and urged Congress and the White House to act further to prevent long-lasting economic damage.
The Fed and Congress have taken far-reaching steps to try to counter what is likely to be a severe downturn resulting from the widespread shutdown of the U.S. economy. But Powell cautioned that widespread bankruptcies among small businesses and extended unemployment for many people remain a serious risk.
“We ought to do what we can to avoid these outcomes,” Powell said.
Additional rescue aid from government spending or tax policies, though costly, would be “worth it if it helps avoid long-term economic damage and leaves us with a stronger recovery,” he said. Read more here. —Associated Press
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9:10 a.m.: Chicago bracing for Mexican beer shortage as coronavirus industry shutdown persists
Chicago beer drinkers could see a shortage of popular imported Mexican brands as soon as next week due to an ongoing shutdown of Mexico’s beer industry.
Most immediately at risk are the brands owned by Heineken USA, including Dos Equis Tecate and Bohemia.
Should the shutdown persist, beers owned by Constellation Brands — which include Modelo Especial, Corona and Pacifico — may also be in shorter supply by summer.
When Mexican beer production was paused in early April due to that country’s government not declaring brewing an “essential” industry — as it has been deemed in the U.S. — observers predicted it would be resolved quickly or wouldn’t translate into empty store shelves.
However, the shutdown has endured. The Mexican government has said brewing can begin next week only in the places where COVID-19 has been curbed.
While Heineken has paused brewing in Mexico, Constellation has said it continues to brew for the U.S. market at a reduced capacity. However, how much beer Constellation is making and importing to the U.S. remains unclear. Read more here. —Josh Noel
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8:50 a.m.: Coronavirus pandemic scams: Here’s how to avoid falling for them
Never have we been so attractive as targets for fraudsters and scammers as we are right now.
That’s because the uncertainty around the coronavirus pandemic has created more opportunities for robocallers, hackers and other thieves.
For one thing, millions of people are filing new claims for unemployment benefits and awaiting stimulus checks. So when a phone call or an email from someone purporting to be a bank or a government official comes in, it is tougher for us to ignore.
Plus with so many people being required to work from home, our personal tech devices have become an attractive target for those looking to infiltrate businesses. Read more here. —The New York Times
8:02 a.m.: Longtime Naperville couple die within a month of each other, both victims of COVID-19 complications
Diane and Dalis Ramonas were active members of the Naperville community — she helped foster a relationship between the Naperville Woman’s Club and Loaves & Fishes Community Services and he was an avid skier and ski instructor who shared his passion with his two children.
They built a family life in Naperville, and witnessed the city’s growth from a small town to a bustling municipality.
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After a marriage of 35 years, they died within a month of each other — both victims of complications related to COVID-19. Read more here. —Erin Hegarty and Suzanne Baker
7:01 a.m.: Streets and San to restart regular street cleaning in Chicago next week
After only street sweeping around parked cars for six weeks, Chicago’s Department of Streets and Sanitation was scheduled to start posting no-parking notices and following its regular street cleaning routes Monday, according to notices posted by aldermen and news reports.
Streets and San announced March 31 that it wasn’t planning to post no-parking signs for street sweeping during the state’s stay-at-home order.
Officials would “not be posting or ticketing and there will not be scheduled cleanings,” although there would be street cleaning in all wards, the department said at the time in an update on services under the lockdown.
In notices posted by aldermen Tuesday, officials said Streets and San would officially start regular street sweeping Monday, following the calendar the department set before the stay-at-home order.
“Signs will be hung on streets to be swept prior to sweeping, however at this time there will be no enforcement or citations issued related to street sweeping,” according to the office of Ald. Pat Dowell, 3rd.
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The Sun-Times reported aldermen had been asking the city to start posting signs and following the regular cleaning schedule, without ticketing. —Chicago Tribune staff
6 a.m: Black Chicago churchgoers join one-quarter of Americans who say their faith’s grown stronger during the COVID-19 pandemic
A recent Pew Research study found that 1 in 4 Americans said the coronavirus pandemic has deepened their faith. Only 2% said the pandemic has weakened their faith. The study also found the trend of strengthened faith was more pronounced among black American adults. Forty-one percent of black adults said their faith is stronger, compared with 20% of white adults and 30% of Hispanic adults.
And 56% of people who attend historically black churches say their faith has intensified during the pandemic, higher than any other group.
Nichole Phillips, director of Black Church Studies at Emory University’s Candler School of Theology, said the trend of stronger faith among black Americans is linked to the role the black church historically has played in the African American community.
The surge in faith comes as the virus infects and kills black Americans at a disproportionately higher rate. Even as the gap has shrunk in the past few weeks, in Chicago, African Americans account for nearly more than a third of those who have tested positive and more than half of coronavirus-related fatalities, despite being less than a third of the city’s residents. Latinos make up a little less than half for 40% of infections and about a quarter of COVID-19-related deaths. Read more here. —Javonte Anderson
Breaking coronavirus news Stay up to date with the latest information on coronavirus with our breaking news alerts.
May 12
Here are five things that happened Tuesday that you need to know:
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May 11
Here are five things that happened Monday that you need to know:


chicagotribune--2020-05-16--12-year-old boy, the youngest victim of COVID-19 in Cook County, fought health problems most of his

12-year-old boy, the youngest victim of COVID-19 in Cook County, fought health problems most of his life. ‘He was very strong.’

Ernesto was the baby of the family and a “ soul that kept our family close-knitted , ” Sergio Lara @ @ @ @ @ had family gatherings , everyone would go to his room to see him , especially @ @ @ @ @ knew he couldn ’ t play with them .
”


chicagotribune--2020-05-16--State says COVID-19 testing expanded to include many workers who aren’t exhibiting symptoms

“ As we open up more testing sites and as we make available more materials for testing , I think @ @ @ @ @ much better place , '' Pritzker said Friday in response to a question about how @ @ @ @ @ reaching that level of testing capacity .
`` So we ’ re making a lot @ @ @ @ @ like we ’ re on a path to being in that spot as needed for @ @ @ @ @ .
”

CTU workers direct vehicles lined up for COVID-19 testing outside of the Chicago Teachers Union on Dec. 30, 2021, in Chicago. CPS starts back to school on Monday following their holiday break. (Stacey Wescott / Chicago Tribune)
State officials on Friday announced a further expansion of COVID-19 testing in Illinois, with testing now open to a range of front-line workers and employees at essential businesses and new testing sites opening across the state over the next week.
Along with first responders and front-line workers in health care and other fields, employees of grocery stores, pharmacies, restaurants and gas stations can now seek COVID-19 tests whether or not they’re exhibiting symptoms.
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Also on that list are people who have been exposed to someone who has a confirmed case of COVID-19, state and local government employees and people with compromised immune systems or chronic medical conditions.
More widely available testing is one of the primary bench marks that each of the four regions defined in Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reopening plan must meet in order to advance to the next phase.
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Right now, all four regions are meeting the positive-test rate set by Pritzker’s reopening plan in order to move to the next phase of his plan, which could start May 29 at the earliest.
The seven-day average of positive coronavirus cases in the Northeast region, which includes the Chicago area, fell below 20% as of Monday. The 14-day average statewide positivity rate is under 14%, Pritzker said.
To move forward the share of people testing positive for the coronavirus must be at or under 20% and increase no more than 10 percentage points over a 14-day period.
“The positivity rate can be an indication of how widespread COVID-19 infections are among our population,” Pritzker said. “We all want the positivity rate to come down, which would indicate a declining number of people getting sick from the virus.”
Officials announced 2,432 new known cases of coronavirus Friday, pushing the statewide total of known cases to 90,369. Another 130 deaths were reported Friday, for a statewide total of 4,058 deaths since the pandemic began.
To date, 538,602 COVID-19 tests have been performed in the state, with officials on Friday reporting 26,565 tests conducted during a 24-hour period. Illinois was one of many states that struggled to expand testing earlier this year, amid a national shortage of supplies and testing kits.
In early April, the state fell short of a goal Pritzker set to conduct 10,000 tests per day in Illinois. At that time, around 75,000 tests had been conducted in the state.
The state for the first time surpassed 10,000 tests per day on April 24, and over the past week has conducted an average of 20,000 daily tests.
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In the third phase of Pritzker’s reopening plan, gatherings of up to 10 people are allowed, and offices, manufacturing and salons and barbershops are among the types of businesses that can reopen, with precautions in place aimed at preventing the spread of coronavirus.
Once a region moves into another phase, the time period in which it must reach all of the bench marks to advance to the next phase starts anew.
To reach the fourth phase, when schools, child care centers, restaurants and bars could reopen and gatherings of up to 50 people would be allowed, the plan calls for testing to be widely available regardless of whether someone is exhibiting symptoms, among other metrics.
“As we open up more testing sites and as we make available more materials for testing, I think we’re in a much better place," Pritzker said Friday in response to a question about how close the state is to reaching that level of testing capacity. "So we’re making a lot of progress, I feel like we’re on a path to being in that spot as needed for every region in the state.”
New drive-thru testing sites are set to open on Chicago’s South Side on Saturday and Rolling Meadows on Wednesday. There are now 251 sites in the state offering free testing, Pritzker said.
Pritzker for the first time Friday acknowledged that his wife and daughter were in Florida before Illinois’ statewide stay-at-home order took effect in March, and just recently returned to Chicago.
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He said he was being “very private and very reserved” about his family “because there are threats to my safety and to their safety.
“You have seen that there are people that stand outside the Thompson Center and stand outside the Capitol in Springfield, holding, I mean, hateful signs that reference me personally and that suggest, if not say, but suggest the potential for violence,” he said.
On April 29, Pritzker testily responded to a question about a Patch.com report that his wife and family had gone to Florida amid the governor’s stay-at-home orders. “My official duties have nothing to do with my family. So, I’m not going to answer that question. It’s inappropriate and I find it reprehensible,” he said of stories about his family.
That response prompted an outcry from Republican and right-leaning groups that the Democratic governor’s own wife wasn’t heeding the mandates of Pritzker’s stay-at-home order, though Pritzker never imposed an outright travel ban for residents.
“If his family can’t even heed the guidance of his own stay at home order, how does he expect Illinois voters to do the same?” said a May 4 email from the Republican National Committee with the subject line: “Governor Pritzker can’t take the heat.”
Pritzker said he hoped that an unnamed Republican super political action committee “that’s pushing stories like this about my family, would stop doing it because they are putting my children and family in danger.”
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But on Friday, Pritzker acknowledged his family had only recently left Florida, where they had been staying since at least early March, before his stay-at-home order was issued. He owns an equestrian farm there.
Pritzker owns a horse farm in Racine, Wisconsin, and he indicated his family was there. “I just will say we have a working farm. They’re there now. There are animals on that farm, that it’s an essential function to take care of animals at a farm, so that’s what they’re doing,” he said.
A Pritzker spokeswoman later clarified that the family is at home in Chicago and have visited the farm but haven’t stayed there.
On April 19, the Wisconsin Department of Health Services issued guidance for Illinois residents and others who have a seasonal or second home in the state, urging them not to travel or face 14 days of self-quarantine.
“You should bring your own groceries and essentials as self-quarantine does not permit shopping at local stores for supplies,” the agency said.
jmunks@chicagotribune.com
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