Tag Archives: Illinois

Illinois Gov In Quarantine After Staffer Tests COVID+

The Chicago Sun-Times reports: A member of Gov J.B. Pritzker’s senior staff has tested positive for COVID-19 and all staffers — including the governor — will now work from home for an “appropriate isolation period,” the governor’s office said Monday. The staff member was asymptomatic and tested positive late last week. That staffer was also in close contact with Pritzker …

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Chicago Pride Postponed, Organizers Set Hopes On Fall

Chicago’s ABC News affiliate reports: Chicago’s Pride Parade will be postponed for the first time in its 50-year history, organizers said Wednesday. The parade was originally scheduled for June 28. Organizers are still hoping to hold it this year. “We announce this postponement in hope that conditions will allow the parade to take place later this summer or early fall,” …

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Chicago Jail Now Largest Known Source Of Infections

The New York Times reports: The Cook County Jail in Chicago, a sprawling facility that is among the largest jails in the nation, has emerged as the largest-known source of U.S. virus infections, according to data compiled by The Times. At least 353 cases can be linked to the jail — more than have been connected to the U.S.S. Theodore …

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IL Gov: Trump Doesn’t Understand The Word “Federal”

Axios reports: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said on CNN’s “State of the Union” Sunday that President Trump’s comments about the federal government’s stockpile of medical equipment suggest he “does not understand the word ‘federal.'” White House adviser Jared Kushner argued at a press briefing last week that the “notion of the federal stockpile was it’s supposed to be our stockpile; …

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Illinois Reports First Infant Death Of Coronavirus In US

Just in via press release: The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) today reported the death of an infant younger than one year in Chicago who tested positive for coronavirus disease (COVID-19). “There has never before been a death associated with COVID-19 in an infant. A full investigation is underway to determine the cause of death,” said IDPH Director Dr. …

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Dozens In Congregation Ill At Small Chicago Church

Suburban Chicago’s Daily Herald reports: An estimated 43 people, more than half the people who attended a service March 15 at The Life Church of Glenview, are sick and at least 10 have tested positive for COVID-19, Pastor Anthony LoCascio [photo] confirmed Thursday evening. “A lot of people are sick,” said LoCascio, who says 11 days after starting to feel …

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Illinois Gov To Give Statewide “Shelter In Place” Order

The Chicago Tribune reports: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker plans to issue a “shelter-in-place” order for the entire state starting Saturday, essentially commanding residents to stay in their homes as the officials take drastic measures to slow the spread of the coronavirus, sources told the Tribune. Pritzker is expected to announce the directive at a 3 p.m. Friday news conference along …

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Conservative Dem Rep Unseated In US House Primary

Politico reports: Rep. Dan Lipinski, a Chicago congressman known for his staunch opposition to abortion and his votes against Obamacare and same-sex marriage, finally succumbed to a liberal challenger Tuesday in a primary held in the throes of the burgeoning coronavirus pandemic. The eight-term Illinois Democrat fell to businesswoman Marie Newman, who led 48 to 44 percent when The Associated …

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PROJECTION: Joe Biden Wins Illinois Primary

The New York Times reports: Mr. Biden won the primary in Illinois, the second-largest delegate prize among Tuesday’s contests. With the victory, he continued to pad his sizable delegate lead over Mr. Sanders. Mr. Sanders narrowly lost the state in 2016 to Mrs. Clinton, but he appeared to be at a significant disadvantage heading into this year’s contest. Mr. Biden …

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Illinois Gov Closes Bars, Restaurants To Be Takeout Only

Peoria’s CBS News affiliate reports: The latest victim of the COVID-19 coronavirus are bars and restaurants. Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker announced Sunday afternoon they are to be closed for two weeks. This closure is for dining in and details are being worked out to keep the kitchens open for delivery or carryout meals. He went on to say there are …

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Jussie Smollett Loses Bid To Get Charges Tossed

The Chicago Tribune reports: The state’s highest court has rejected actor Jussie Smollett’s attempt to throw out the new charges against him and remove the special prosecutor who brought them. In an emergency motion to the Illinois Supreme Court, Smollett’s attorneys argued that Cook County Judge Michael Toomin overstepped his authority and misinterpreted the law when he ordered the appointment …

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GOP Advertises Against Nazi GOP House Candidate

The Chicago Sun-Times reports: Still reeling from a national embarrassment two years ago, the Illinois Republican Party is launching a late primary five-figure ad blitz against Holocaust denier Arthur Jones in the Southwest Side and suburban 3rd Congressional District, targeting the avowed anti-Semite with robocalls, mailers, digital ads and face-to-face warnings to voters. The five-member Illinois Republican Congressional delegation is …

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Illinois Probes Shady Trump Org Tax Refund Appeal

The Chicago Sun-Times reports: Mired in delays for seven years, President Donald Trump’s appeal for a refund of at least $1 million on his Chicago skyscraper is now the subject of two state of Illinois investigations that center on whether a Republican state official pressured his staff to cut the president a break. Trump’s appeal of the 2012 property taxes …

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ILLINOIS: Legal Weed Begins, Thousands Pardoned

USA Today reports: It’s a new year and, for Illinois, a new era of recreational marijuana. Weed dispensaries across the state opened their doors before sunrise Wednesday, welcoming long lines of customers — some who had been waiting since 4 a.m. “Cheers to lighting up the start of 2020!” one dispensary, Sunnyside, wrote on its Facebook page. Under Illinois law, …

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Tenth Republican House Rep Announces Retirement

Roll Call reports: Republican Rep. John Shimkus will not run for a 13th term in his southeastern Illinois district, vacating what will likely remain a safe Republican seat in 2020. Shimkus announced his decision Friday afternoon, saying he wanted to make his plans known as candidates begin to circulate petitions for office next week. “Serving in Congress has been a …

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Man Arrested For Terror Threat Against Abortion Clinic

The Washington Post reports: When federal agents arrived at Farhan Sheikh’s Chicago residence last week with a search warrant in hand, the 19-year-old suspected they were there because of a “joke” he had posted on a popular meme sharing platform, according to a complaint unsealed Monday. The allegedly humorous post? A threat to “slaughter and murder any doctor, patient, or …

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ILLINOIS: Dem Gov Signs LGBT History Curriculum Bill

The Windy City Times reports: Students in Illinois public schools will learn about the contributions of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people in state and national history after approval today of the Inclusive Curriculum Law by Gov. Pritzker, according to Equality Illinois. Starting with the 2020-21 school year, the Inclusive Curriculum Law — House Bill 246 — will ensure the …

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Illinois GOP Labels Female Dems As “The Jihad Squad”

The Chicago Tribune reports: Top leaders of the Illinois Republican Party launched an effort at damage control Sunday after a social media post echoed President Donald Trump’s criticism of four Democratic congresswoman and went further, referring to them in a movie-type poster of being a “jihad squad” and contending they believe any criticism is racist. The post was made to …

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Lone Democratic US House Rep Joins Nike Boycott

Our least favorite House Dem is at it again: Illinois Democratic Rep. Dan Lipinski showed off his Nike boycott to Twitter in light of the company’s decision to pull its Betsy Ross flag sneakers. “I’m sitting here working. Notice I’m not wearing Nikes, nor will I anytime soon,” Lipinski tweeted Tuesday night along with a photo of his New Balance …

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Illinois Becomes 11th State To Legalize Recreational Pot

The Associated Press reports: Illinois’ new governor delivered on a top campaign promise Tuesday by signing legislation that makes the state the 11th to legalize small amounts of marijuana for recreational use and the second to approve it through the Legislature rather than the ballot box. Legalization in Illinois also means that nearly 800,000 people with criminal records for purchasing …

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