Pritzker issues rules as Illinois prepares for reopening
May 26, 2020
Barbers and their customers will have to wear face masks. Restaurants will be able to serve diners outdoors only, with parties no larger than six people, spaced apart. And youth sports may hold practices and drills for 10 or fewer people, as long as the water fountains are shut off and other rules are...
Pritzker outlines ‘Restore Illinois’ plan as groups, other states look toward reopening
Daniel Berry, Contributing Writer
May 20, 2020
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker has released a five-phase reopening plan for Illinois as states begin to look toward reopening their economies and public spaces as COVID-19 infection rates decrease. As of May 14, there have been 87,937 cases and 3,928 deaths in Illinois. The “Restore Illinois...
OPINION: Anti-lockdown protesters are missing the point
Fatima Zaidi, Staff Writer
May 18, 2020
“Reopen Ohio!” “Show us the data!” These were among some of the several chants echoing outside Ohio’s Statehouse in Columbus, demanding facts and answers as citizens protested against the orders of social distancing. As of May 17, there have been a total of 4,687,320 confirmed cases of...
Pritzker defends extended order, faces salon owner lawsuit
May 11, 2020
Gov. J.B. Pritzker defended his stay-at-home order and incremental plans to reopen, saying Sunday that Illinois residents have to change the way things are done until COVID-19 is “eradicated.” The Democrat's comments on CNN’s “State of the Union” came as he faced a southern Illinois salon...
Lori Lightfoot sets five-phase plan for reopening city
May 9, 2020
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Friday released the city's five-step path toward re-opening, which includes some stricter standards than the state plan released earlier this week. Lightfoot warned that progress is dependent on residents continuing to stay home through the month of May to limit the...
Pritzker: 5-part reopening plan dependent on infections
May 6, 2020
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday outlined a five-phase plan for re-opening the state as the threat from COVID-19 subsides, but there were no surprises — the speech with which people may resume former activities remains dependent on vigilance against the coronavirus. Under...
Judge rules Pritzker’s stay-at-home order an overreach
April 27, 2020
A judge in southern Illinois ruled Monday that Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order to stem the spread of the coronavirus exceeds his emergency authority and violates individual civil rights. Clay County Circuit Judge Michael McHaney sided with Republican Rep. Darren Bailey, who sought a temporary...
Pritzker extends stay-at-home order amid COVID-19 spread
April 24, 2020
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday extended his stay-at-home order through May 30 as the highly contagious COVID-19 continued its rounds. Pritzker's decree, which was to expire April 30, was relaxed to allow for some outdoor activities, many previously barred surgeries and...
Pritzker says Illinois won’t hit COVID-19 peak until mid-May
April 22, 2020
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday said the state wouldn't hit its highest level of COVID-19 cases until mid-May, weeks after originally projected, throwing into question whether the Democrat will extend his stay-at-home order past April 30. Pritzker wouldn't discuss the data he's using in adjusting the...
7 Midwest states to partner on reopening the economy
April 16, 2020
LANSING, Mich. (AP) — Seven Midwestern governors announced Thursday that they will coordinate on reopening their state economies amid the coronavirus pandemic, after similar pacts were made in the Northeast and on the West Coast. The latest agreement includes Illinois, Ohio, Michigan, Indiana, Wisconsin,...
Illinois could face $7B deficit over 2 years after COVID-19
April 15, 2020
Illinois could face a $7 billion state budget deficit during the next two years as the coronavirus takes a toll on the economy, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday. The economy has suffered as residents are under a stay-at-home order that has forced the closure of nonessential businesses and led to...
Governors around nation take action against COVID-19
Veronica Schoonover, Contributing Writer
April 14, 2020
Amidst fears that COVID-19 will cause an increasing number of cases and deaths as the United States approaches the peak of the pandemic, governors across the nation are working to prevent the worst for their residents. Governors have the ability to take action in their state to prevent the communit...
