chicagotribune--2020-08-07--The Spin: Gov. Pritzker leans on businesses to enforce mask order |  Crestwood Mayor Lou Presta indi

The Spin: Gov. Pritzker leans on businesses to enforce mask order |  Crestwood Mayor Lou Presta indicted in red-light camera bribery scheme | Lightfoot won’t quarantine after alderman she shared stage with tests positive for COVID-19

When asked about whether Lightfoot should self-quarantine or take more precautions , Gov .
Pritzker said at an unrelated news @ @ @ @ @ a doctor .
I ’ m not going to make advice here about that .
@ @ @ @ @ people to do the right thing and , you know , keep everybody around them @ @ @ @ @ , of course , I want the mayor to be safe and healthy .
So @ @ @ @ @ is that she ’ s been given I know she will follow.
” Read the @ @ @ @ @ here .
— ( Gregory Pratt )

Wearing a mask with the Illinois state emblem, Gov. J.B. Pritzker talks with essential workers providing coronavirus tests at Coles Elementary School on the Southeast Side on July 8, 2020. (Abel Uribe/Chicago Tribune)
Talk about holding patterns. Talks in Washington to work out a deal on a new COVID-19 relief package stalled amid a partisan stalemate. And still no firm announcement date at this point on when presumptive Democratic nominee Joe Biden might announce his running mate.
Today, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a new set of emergency rules calling on businesses to enforce the statewide mask order in their establishments or face a fine. Couple that with spiking COVID-19 numbers, it seems like we could be at the precipice of reinstituting restrictions.
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The political divide over masks is well-known by now, but the Democratic governor’s just-announced “emergency rules” that lay out the fine highlight another partisan fracture: Republicans in the legislature who say the Democratic governor is overextending his executive authority in the pandemic. This morning, Illinois House GOP Leader Jim Durkin issued a news release saying he wants the governor to call a special session to deal with that and ethics reform.
The state’s already pandemic-damaged economy will shrink. More people will leave the state. Consumer costs will increase and jobs —particularly those held by women and minorities — will be lost if voters in November approve Pritzker’s signature proposal to flip to a new graduated income tax rate structure aimed at having high-wage earners pay more. That’s all according to an analysis done for the Illinois Chamber of Commerce. As the Tribune’s Rick Pearson notes in his story, the chamber already has given the referendum on the November ballot a thumbs-down, prompting backers of the graduated tax to question its independence.
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And, Mayor Lori Lightfoot tested negative for COVID-19, but says she won’t self-quarantine after attending a news conference this week with a Chicago alderman who announced yesterday he has the virus. In late June, Gov. Pritzker self-quarantined at his Chicago home after a senior staffer tested positive for the virus. Asked whether the mayor was doing the right thing, the governor carefully punted.
Welcome to The Spin.
Lou Presta, the mayor of Crestwood, in 2016. (Zak Koeske / Daily Southtown)
The mayor of south suburban Crestwood has been indicted on federal charges that he accepted bribes to promote red-light cameras in his village, the latest development in a wide-ranging political corruption probe.
According to federal prosecutors, Lou Presta was caught on a March 2018 recording accepting an envelope with $5,000 cash from a representative of the red-light camera firm SafeSpeed, and then lied to the FBI and IRS when asked about it that September.
State Board of Elections records showed that Presta’s campaign committee made an unusual filing Friday morning. Citizens for Presta filed an amended report disclosing that in March 2018, a then-SafeSpeed representative provided him “election day workers and expenses” collectively worth $5,000. The connection to Presta’s criminal charges is unclear. Read the rest of the Tribune story here and read the a Tribune investigation that found red-light ticketing cameras in Crestwood were among the most lucrative in the region. (Joe Mahr)
Chicago’s FBI boss seeks to calm city over Operation Legend; says new agents will pass out contact information; The Tribune’s Jeremy Gorner has the details here.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker wears a mask during his daily coronavirus pandemic briefing at the Illinois State Capitol on May 20, 2020, in Springfield. (Erin Hooley / Chicago Tribune)
Gov. J.B. Pritzker, declaring Illinois is at a “make or break” moment in fighting the coronavirus pandemic, issued new emergency rules to require businesses and schools to enforce his mandatory face mask rules or face the prospect of being fined, the Tribune’s Jamie Munks, Rick Pearson and Lauren Zumbach report. Read their full story here.
Pritzker issued a mask mandate on May 1 for people over the age of 2 in most public settings, but enforcing it has proven to be a challenge.
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The new rules set out a three-step process that give businesses two chances to comply before they’re hit with a fine of anywhere from $75 to $2,500.
“It would be catastrophic to shut down our economy once again. It would be the death of the hospitality industry here in the state of Illinois,” said Sam Toia, president of the Illinois Restaurant Association, whose members have been hard-hit by restrictions put in place because of the pandemic.
But Rob Karr, president and CEO of the Illinois Retail Merchants Association, criticized the new rule, contending in a statement issued Friday that it “lacks in common sense and is a slap in the face to the thousands of retailers who have sacrificed so much during this pandemic while actively supporting ever-changing health and safety guidelines adopted by the state.”
Data points: For the first time in more than two months, the statewide count of newly confirmed cases of COVID-19 in a single day surpassed 2,000 in Illinois, and another 21 people with COVID-19 died, officials said. The Illinois Department of Public Health placed 13 of the state’s 102 counties at coronavirus “warning level” on Friday, meaning at least two key metrics signal a resurgence of highly contagious COVID-19. Read more about it here.
Some of the 13 counties were on the department’s warning list a week earlier, while others were new additions.
We’ve been here before: Pritzker’s administration filed a controversial emergency rule this spring with a legislative rule-making body that would have made businesses that flouted the rules in his reopening plan subject to a Class A misdemeanor. The governor withdrew that rule amid pushback among legislators because it made jail an enforceable option against business owners that failed to abide by the governor’s emergency actions.
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Pritzker’s latest emergency rule isn’t necessarily a done deal, the Chicago Sun-Times is reporting. “Pritzker’s proposed rules still need to be approved by the bipartisan Joint Committee on Administrative Rules. They’re up for consideration Tuesday in Springfield,” writes the Sun-Times’ Stefano Esposito.
Politics and the U.S. divide on coronavirus masks: While there’s nonpartisan medical proof that wearing a mask prevents the spread of the virus, where you fall on the political spectrum often guides whether they’ll wear one, Axios reported earlier this summer.
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Mayor Lori Lighfoot and Gov. J.B Pritzker listen to the announcement of the U.S. Department of Energy's blueprint strategy for the development of a national quantum internet, at a news conference at the University of Chicago's Harper Center on July 23, 2020. (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune)
Here’s what the statement Mayor Lightfoot issued after confirming she tested negative for the virus: “She will continue to follow the guidance of the Department of Public Health over the course of the standard 14-day incubation period. She will not be quarantining given that she was not in close proximity with the alderman for an extended period of time, per CDPH and CDC guidelines on quarantining,” a statement from Lightfoot’s office read.
When asked about whether Lightfoot should self-quarantine or take more precautions, Gov. Pritzker said at an unrelated news conference, “She has a doctor. I’m not going to make advice here about that. Look, I just want people to do the right thing and, you know, keep everybody around them safe and healthy. And, of course, I want the mayor to be safe and healthy. So, whatever the best advice is that she’s been given I know she will follow.” Read the rest of the Tribune story here. — (Gregory Pratt)
Gov. Cuomo clears New York schools to reopen: More details here.
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Other city news: Mayor Lightfoot has created a task force to look at exploitation of domestic workers such as nannies and house cleaners, her administration announced.
The task force will bring agencies at “all levels of government together with community-based organizations to advise the city on how to address industries, such as domestic work, that are ripe for exploitation and human trafficking,” the mayor’s office announced. “The working group will be co-chaired by the Mayor’s Office and the City’s Office of Labor Standards (OLS), which operates within the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP).” — (Gregory Pratt)
The Illinois State Capitol building on May 20, 2020, in Springfield. (Erin Hooley/Chicago Tribune)
The findings of a new study bankrolled by the state’s Chamber of Commerce suggests the economic impact of switching to a proposed graduated-rate tax are different now due to the effects of the coronavirus disease than when Gov. Pritzker proposed his signature agenda item, the Tribune’s Rick Pearson writes.
“Consequently, rather than eliminate jobs from a relatively strong economy that might have been capable of quickly replacing them, the proposed graduated income tax will now result in job losses that will further weaken an already weak economy,” said the authors, who included economics professor Ariel Belasen of Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville. Read the rest of the Tribune story here.
But advocates of the proposed state constitutional amendment pointed to a variety of previous studies that contradict many of the findings of the analysis done for the chamber, which said the study’s authors were given “complete independence.”
Reminder: If the proposed amendment is ratified by voters on the November ballot, an estimated 97% of individual taxpayers would pay at least the same, if not less, state income tax than they do now. Under the plan, people with incomes of up to $250,000 would pay 4.95% or less.
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Opponents, including Republican lawmakers and pro-business groups, argue that the Democratic-controlled legislature eventually will raise rates on middle-class taxpayers to address the state’s fiscal woes.
Admiral Theatre strip club files First Amendment lawsuit over local amusement tax: The Northwest Side adult entertainment venue is suing Chicago and Cook County over millions of dollars in back amusement taxes allegedly owed by the longtime club, the Tribune’s Robert Channick reports. At issue is whether requiring adult entertainment venues to pay the amusement taxes while exempting other small theaters is a violation of free speech, Channick notes. Read his full story here.
Dark clouds and heavy rain sweep over the U.S. Capitol in Washington on Aug. 3, 2020, as Tropical Storm Isaias pushes toward the Mid-Atlantic. (J. Scott Applewhite/AP)
The Associated Press reports: “A last-ditch effort by Democrats to revive collapsing Capitol Hill talks on vital COVID-19 rescue money ended in disappointment on Friday, making it increasingly likely that Washington gridlock will mean more hardship for millions of people who are losing enhanced jobless benefits and further damage for an economy pummeled by the still-raging coronavirus.
“‘It was a disappointing meeting,’ declared top Senate Democrat Chuck Schumer, saying the White House had rejected an offer by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to curb Democratic demands by about $1 trillion. He urged the White House to ‘negotiate with Democrats and meet us in the middle. Don’t say it’s your way or no way.‘”
Read the full story here.
What it means: A breakdown in the talks would put at risk more than $100 billion to help reopen schools, a fresh round of $1,200 direct payments to most people and hundreds of billions of dollars for state and local governments to help them avoid furloughing workers and cutting services as tax revenues shrivel.
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Cook County to provide $20 million in CARES Act money to rental aid for suburban households; but Preckwinkle stresses additional federal funds needed: The Tribune’s Alice Yin has the details here.
Senate Republicans ‘have declared war’ on the Americans with Disabilities Act: Duckworth: Illinois’ Democratic junior Sen. Tammy Duckworth, who lost both legs in combat, pens a piece in Forbes about how GOP lawmakers in her chamber “have troweled anti-ADA language into the Senate version of the latest pandemic relief bill.” Read the opinion piece here.
Louis DeJoy (Kim Walker/AP)
The new head of the U.S. Postal Service said today the agency is hemorrhaging money — losing $2.2 billion in the three months that ended in June — and that without an intervention from Congress, it faces a cash-flow crisis.
Months before the Postal Service is expected to see a big volume increase as a result of mail-in voting, the agency is seeking an infusion of at least $10 billion from Congress to cover operating losses as well as regulatory changes that would undo a congressional requirement that the agency pre-fund billions of dollars in retiree health benefits.
Postmaster General Louis DeJoy, a Republican fundraiser and major donor to President Donald Trump, took the job in June and enacted strict overtime limits. While not acknowledging widespread complaints by members of Congress on both sides of the aisle about delivery delays nationwide, DeJoy said the agency will “aggressively monitor and quickly address service issues.‘'
Trump, a vocal critic of the Postal Service and mail-in voting, contended Wednesday that “the Post Office doesn’t have enough time” to handle a significant increase in mail-in ballots. “I mean you’re talking about millions of votes. ... It’s a catastrophe waiting to happen.″ Read the rest of the Associated Press story here.
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Twitter @byldonovan


chicagotribune--2020-08-07--South suburban mayor charged in red-light camera bribery scheme

The indictment came 10 months after the Tribune reported that federal authorities were looking into Presta .
In October 2019 @ @ @ @ @ that he ’ d done nothing wrong and hadn ’ t spoken to federal authorities @ @ @ @ @ authorities said that Presta was interviewed by the FBI and IRS the previous month , @ @ @ @ @ allegedly said there was no money in the envelope , according to the indictment .

When red-light cameras came to Crestwood in 2016, the village quickly became the top-ticketing Chicago suburb, issuing more than $6 million in fines a year.
Now four years later, its mayor has been indicted on federal charges that he accepted bribes to promote the cameras, the latest development in a wide-ranging political corruption probe.
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According to federal prosecutors, Lou Presta was caught on a March 2018 recording accepting an envelope with $5,000 cash from a representative of the red-light camera firm, and then lied to the FBI and IRS when asked about it that September.
Lou Presta, mayor of Crestwood, in 2016. (Zak Koeske / Daily Southtown)
Presta, 69, is charged with three counts of using a facility in interstate commerce in aid of bribery and official misconduct, two counts of willfully filing a false income tax return, one count of willfully failing to file an income tax return and one count of making false statements to the FBI and IRS.
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Presta, who has been mayor since 2013, denied the charges in a statement issued through his attorneys. The statement came hours after Presta’s campaign committee made an unusual filing with the State Board of Elections, in which it disclosed that in March 2018, a then-SafeSpeed representative provided him “election day workers and expenses” collectively worth $5,000. The connection to Presta’s criminal charges is unclear.
Presta attorney Thomas Breen did not address why the campaign filing was more than two years late, but said the cash was used for “incidentals during the campaign” and “certainly was not used to influence the mayor’s position on any issue that affected the village.”
“The donor was, of course, setting Mr. Presta up in an attempt to induce criminal activity which did not come about,” Breen said.
The indictment said Presta “asked for and accepted benefits from representatives of” the red-light camera firm, which it doesn’t name. But public records indicate the only company with cameras in the village is SafeSpeed, a clout-heavy firm that has surfaced elsewhere in the criminal probe.
Court records show former SafeSpeed principal Omar Maani has been cooperating with investigators. SafeSpeed has said it cut ties with the one-time rainmaker, and issued a statement Friday saying it “does not condone the conduct alleged in the (Presta) indictment.”
“The company holds its employees and representatives to high standards of conduct and ethics. SafeSpeed will continue to take the appropriate action to ensure these standards are followed,” according to its statement.
An attorney for SafeSpeed CEO Nikki Zollar and executive Chris Lai previously has said in a civil filing that the pair were not aware of any bribes paid by anyone on the firm’s behalf.
The indictment came 10 months after the Tribune reported that federal authorities were looking into Presta. In October 2019, Presta told the Tribune that he’d done nothing wrong and hadn’t spoken to federal authorities. But on Friday, authorities said that Presta was interviewed by the FBI and IRS the previous month, an interview in which he allegedly said there was no money in the envelope, according to the indictment.
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During Presta’s tenure, Crestwood settled lingering legal actions over how previous penny-pinching officials repeatedly and secretly put toxic water into the village water system. But the village also inked a deal with clout-heavy red light vendor SafeSpeed for cameras, and the Tribune found the suburb quickly became the most prolific ticket-generator in the region.
The analysis found the suburb’s SafeSpeed system brought in roughly $8,000-a-day from right-on-red violations at an intersection at Cicero Avenue at Cal Sag Road. Cameras there issued roughly 100 tickets a day, almost all rolling right turns on red. A long-running, class-action lawsuit has alleged the intersection didn’t even qualify for cameras to be placed there under state law.
Presta has told the Tribune that he supported the cameras to improve public safety. During a campaign, he went as far as to say a rival who opposed cameras “should be ashamed of herself” for sacrificing lives “to win a political election.”
“I don’t like red-light cameras,” he wrote in a folksy appeal to voters in January 2018. “They rank right up there with trips to the dentist or waiting in a store while my wife tries on dresses. But something I like a lot less than any of those things is learning of another life taken at an intersection when I know it may have been prevented.”
At the time, Presta was in what would ultimately become a losing battle for a seat on the Cook County Board.
A month after preaching the need for cameras to protect lives, Presta took part in the first of at least three phone conversations involving bribery and official misconduct with the red-light cameras, according to the indictment. Between the second and third phone call, the indictment alleges, Presta was recorded accepting the envelope with $5,000 in it.
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By then, SafeSpeed, its backers and their firms had become prolific campaign donors, including to Presta’s campaign fund, starting four days after he signed the lucrative camera contract in 2014. Since then, his campaign fund has received at least $14,000 from SafeSpeed or its backers.
That included receiving $300 worth of unspecified material for a golf outing from what was called the “Omar Cigar Company.” The fund listed the company’s address as the same one for a Countryside cigar shop by a different name that’s noted in a federal search warrant tied to the probe and was a known hangout for many others named in the warrant, including Maani, a now-former SafeSpeed official who donated to Presta’s campaign.
On the day charges were made public, Presta’s campaign fund filed an amended campaign finance disclosure form that claimed that, on March 13, 2018, Maani provided Presta an “in-kind” contribution tallied at $5,000.
In-kind contributions are defined as “goods or services provided” to a candidate — not cash — according to a state handbook on required disclosures, but Presta’s Friday filing described the 2018 contribution as “election day workers and expenses,” without further explanation.
Regardless, state law requires such contributions to be publicly disclosed within a week. State Board of Elections officials said Friday that Presta’s fund could be fined $1,250, based on current protocol.
Maani was a prominent figure in the case against then-state Sen. Martin Sandoval, a Chicago Democrat who pleaded guilty in federal court in late January to accepting tens of thousands of dollars in bribes to act as a “protector” in Springfield for SafeSpeed.
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SafeSpeed has said it did not know about or authorize any bribes paid by Maani, a one-time co-owner.
SafeSpeed’s business has relied on getting suburban mayors and aldermen to let it install cameras for a cut of the proceeds, and then persuading the Illinois Department of Transportation to allow cameras on busy state routes.
The company’s business model requires relationships with politicians, and it hired well-connected lobbyist Victor Reyes’ firm, the Roosevelt Group. In addition, the Tribune found more than $450,000 in political contributions to over 100 political funds by SafeSpeed, founder Nikki Zollar, Maani, and their related firms.
Beyond hiring lobbyists and making campaign contributions, which must be publicly disclosed, the Tribune previously reported how SafeSpeed put public sector workers and officials on its payroll, which state law does not require it disclose.
Among them was Patrick Doherty, indicted in February on allegations he conspired to pay bribes to a relative of an Oak Lawn trustee in 2017 to get lucrative red-light cameras installed there. SafeSpeed said it had no knowledge of the bribes. Doherty was chief of staff to Jeff Tobolski, who resigned from the County Board amid the investigation.
Another official pushing SafeSpeed cameras to suburbs was then-Worth Township Supervisor John O’Sullivan. Presta previously told the Tribune that O’Sullivan “introduced” SafeSpeed to the village. O’Sullivan’s arrangement is being questioned as part of the class-action lawsuit. He left the township post amid the probe.
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jmahr@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-08-07--COVID-19 in Illinois by the numbers: Here’s a daily update on cases, positivity rate and hospital da

COVID-19 in Illinois by the numbers: Here’s a daily update on cases, positivity rate and hospital data in your area

Among the metrics ( see below ) tracked under guidelines set by Gov .
J.B. Pritzker are the percentage of @ @ @ @ @ , the number of people hospitalized for COVID-19-like illnesses , and the capacity of hospitals @ @ @ @ @ state will decide how much or how little to restrict activities based on these metrics @

Note: With Chicago and Illinois moving into phase 5, the Tribune is no longer updating this data. If the state moves back into bridge phase, the Tribune we reassess. Daily metrics on COVID-19, like cases, deaths and hospitalizations, can be found here. And Daily metrics on the vaccination effort can be found here. More on where the coronavirus stands nationally and around the world can be found here.
To assess how different parts of Illinois are handling the COVID-19 pandemic, officials look at the state through the 11 regions of Emergency Medical Services. The city of Chicago is one region, for example, and the rest of Cook County is another.
Among the metrics (see below) tracked under guidelines set by Gov. J.B. Pritzker are the percentage of coronavirus tests that return positive, the number of people hospitalized for COVID-19-like illnesses, and the capacity of hospitals to take in new patients.The state will decide how much or how little to restrict activities based on these metrics. (Cases, deaths and tests data is as of Dec. 31).
• Check out the Tribune’s coronavirus coverage.
• Remembering the lives of those in Illinois who died from coronavirus.
• Other Chicago, suburbs and Illinois COVID-19 metrics.
• See how the governor’s plan to manage the regions works.
Source: Illinois Department of Public Health
Created by the Chicago Tribune dataviz team. On Twitter @chitribgraphics


chicagotribune--2020-08-07--4 wounded in separate shootings Friday on West Side

In the latest attack , shortly before 3:15 p.m. , a 26-year-old and an 18-year-old man were shot while they @ @ @ @ @ block of North Harding Avenue in the Humboldt Park neighborhood .
The older victim suffered @ @ @ @ @ arm , and the other victim was shot in the lower right leg , police @ @

A least four people were wounded since late Friday morning on the West Side, including a man who was standing at a bus top in the North Austin neighborhood, Chicago police said.
In the latest attack, shortly before 3:15 p.m., a 26-year-old and an 18-year-old man were shot while they were walking in the 900 block of North Harding Avenue in the Humboldt Park neighborhood. The older victim suffered a wound to the upper arm, and the other victim was shot in the lower right leg, police said.
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Both victims were taken to Norwegian American Hospital in good condition.
Shortly before 1 p.m., someone approached a man at a bus stop in the 1200 block of North Lockwood Avenue and shot him once in the left buttock. He was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital, but his condition was not available, police said.
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The gunman was described as in his 20s, about 5 feet 5 inches tall, and was wearing a red hat, red jersey and black pants.
Friday morning, shortly before 11:45 a.m., a 20-year-old man was shot while driving in the 1600 block of South Avers Avenue. The victim heard shots and felt pain in the back and right arm, and was taken to Mount Sinai Hospital where his condition was stabilized.
The victim’s vehicle struck a 65-year-old man who was in traffic when the shots rang out. That man refused medical treatment at the scene, police said.
No one was in custody, and police were investigating.


chicagotribune--2020-08-07--Body of boy, 16, found in Lake Michigan near Belmont Harbor, police say

The Cook County medical examiner ’ s office did not release information on the identity of the body found Friday @ @ @ @ @ t be determined if the body found Friday was that of the boy who disappeared @ @ @ @ @

The Chicago Police Marine units search Lake Michigan at Diversey Harbor for a missing swimmer in Chicago on Aug. 6, 2020. (Zbigniew Bzdak / Chicago Tribune)
The body of a 16-year-old boy was found Friday morning in Lake Michigan near Belmont Harbor, according to police, days after a teenage boy disappeared in the lake less than a mile south.
Authorities were called to near 3100 N. Lake Shore Drive about 5:45 a.m. and the Chicago police marine unit were able to recover a body there, according to preliminary police information, said Karie James, a police spokesperson.
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The Cook County medical examiner’s office did not release information on the identity of the body found Friday, so it couldn’t be determined if the body found Friday was that of the boy who disappeared earlier in the week.
Video from the scene Friday showed a marine unit boat and what appeared to be a Fire Department boat in the lake outside Belmont Harbor before the body was brought on land.
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The marine unit Thursday had continued a search for the body of a DePaul College Prep student who had disappeared in Lake Michigan about 4 p.m. Monday after going into the lake for a swim.
Police would not say if authorities were still searching Friday for body of the boy who disappeared Monday.
lford@chicagotribune.com
kelsmith@chicagotribune.com


chicagotribune--2020-08-07--Illinois’ new COVID-19 plan: How the state will manage any outbreaks, in 3 charts

The plan also includes mitigation steps unique to different categories , like restaurants and bars , offices or salons , @ @ @ @ @ specifically respond to a type of outbreak in a specific part of the state .
@ @ @ @ @ s plan here .

Jemal R. Brinson, Nausheen Husain, Jonathon Berlin

Amid an uptick of COVID-19 cases over the past month, Gov. J.B. Pritzker laid out a new approach to managing any resurgence across the state.
The new approach is more surgical, dividing the state into 11 regions — Illinois’ existing Emergency Medical Services regions — and tightening the metrics officials will watch to determine if any action is warranted.
The plan also includes mitigation steps unique to different categories, like restaurants and bars, offices or salons, that could be used to specifically respond to a type of outbreak in a specific part of the state. Read more on Pritzker’s plan here.
Check our tracker for daily metrics for each region.
Here is a breakdown of the plan.


chicagotribune--2020-08-07--Cook County to provide $20 million in CARES Act money to rental aid for suburban households, but Pre

Cook County to provide $20 million in CARES Act money to rental aid for suburban households, but Preckwinkle stresses additional federal funds needed

Households earning under 80 % of the area median income — under about $ 72,000 for a family of four @ @ @ @ @ that will cover overdue or future rent , Rich Monocchio , executive director of the @ @ @ @ @ , said at a news conference in Oak Park .
Up to $ 4,500 is @ @ @ @ @ between one to three months of rent .

Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle is reflected in a window as she attends a news conference at the Cook County medical examiner's office in Chicago in May. (Jose M. Osorio / Chicago Tribune)
Cook County government will give out $20 million in federal CARES Act funds to suburban residents struggling to pay rent during the coronavirus pandemic, officials announced Friday while emphasizing the need for a slow-moving Congress to advance a second stimulus package.
Households earning under 80% of the area median income — under about $72,000 for a family of four — can apply for grants that will cover overdue or future rent, Rich Monocchio, executive director of the Housing Authority of Cook County, said at a news conference in Oak Park. Up to $4,500 is available per household to pay between one to three months of rent.
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“When this pandemic ravaged Cook County and so many working families experienced hardship, we knew that we had to do more,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said. “The need remains critical and urgent.”
Suburban residents can apply at www.cookcountyil.gov/recovery from Aug. 10 to 18.
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Because officials anticipate the demand will exceed their available funds, applicants will be randomly chosen before awards go out to landlords, Monocchio said.
One-quarter of the $20 million will go to places bearing the brunt of the economic devastation from the coronavirus pandemic. Monocchio estimates the maximum number of households benefiting from the program will be about 7,000.
“It only stands to reason that during a period like this, the county would have a program that helps the most vulnerable renters stay in their homes and weather out this pandemic,” Monocchio said.
The program is only available to suburban Cook County residents. Last week, Chicago launched its own series of housing grants totaling $33 million. Chicago residents can apply for mortgage and rental assistance funded by the federal coronavirus relief bill at chi.gov/housinghelp, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced. Statewide, another $300 million from the aid package will be doled out through two Illinois Housing Development Authority programs for rent and mortgage help.
During the news conference, Preckwinkle expressed impatience over Congress’ drawn-out talks over the second federal stimulus package, which she has long stressed is crucial for Cook County.
“Congress seems nowhere near ready to approve continued unemployment benefits,” Preckwinkle said. “This is critical for so many folks who’ve lost their jobs.”
Experts fear that for tenants suffering the most during the pandemic’s economic downturn, the looming expiration on Illinois’ eviction moratorium as well last month’s end of extra unemployment benefits under the CARES Act could spur a groundswell of evictions across the state. In July, Gov. J.B. Pritzker postponed the moratorium deadline through Aug. 22, and this week the state announced a 20-week extension of additional jobless benefits.
“The Cook County program and the other programs are going to help a significant number of people,” Bob Palmer, policy director at Housing Action Illinois, said. “But they won’t come anywhere close to meeting the overall needs for people who are having a hard time affording housing, which is a long-term problem but it’s particularly bad now because of COVID-19.”
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In July, 27.9% of Illinoisans missed last month’s rent or mortgage payment or did not think they could make next month’s housing payment on time, according to a U.S. Census Bureau survey. A report released by the Aspen Institute on Friday estimates 30 million to 40 million Americans could risk eviction in the next several months.
“The freezes are going to lift, and when that happens, we are going to see a serious wave of evictions if there isn’t any policy response,” said Michelle Layser, a professor at the University of Illinois College of Law. “It’s a big problem. There’s been a real failure at the federal level.”
Xochitl Flores, Cook County bureau chief of economic development, said the rental assistance program, run by the Bureau of Economic Development and HACC, also would mobilize outreach to communities of color, families with children, veterans and disabled residents. In addition, programs for mortgage assistance and eviction prevention will be rolled out in the coming weeks.
“As the spring and the summer rode on, it became clear that the greatest challenge facing our communities, would be for residents to stay safely within their homes,” Flores said. “Our goal is to help those who are the most vulnerable and most impacted by COVID.”
ayin@chicagotribune.com