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In an effort to slow the rise in Illinois coronavirus cases, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Friday announced a new set of proposed rules that would offer local officials more leeway to mete out warnings and reprimands — before resorting to fines — for businesses that run afoul of the state’s public masking and social distancing guidelines.
Pritzker issued a statewide masking mandate May 1, but the new rules would give local health and police departments more options to enforce it without revoking a business’ license.
And as the statewide COVID-19 rebound continued with the latest 2,084 new cases confirmed by the Illinois Department of Public Health — the first time the state has topped 2,000 cases in a day since May 24 — Pritzker said his rules “will help ensure that the minority of people who refuse to act responsibly won’t take our state backward.”
The governor pitched the new measures as “common sense” steps to protect the state, but one leading business group blasted them as “a slap in the face” to the state’s struggling retailers.
Read more from Stefano Esposito here.
News
8:45 a.m. Robert Beric eager to play in front of Fire fans… when that’s possible
Striker Robert Beric is the type of figure who builds strong relationships with fans. He’s just waiting for the chance to play in front of Fire supporters in Chicago and bond with them in person.
When the Fire announced his signing in January from French side Saint-Etienne, they did so with a video of Beric downing a shot of Malort, which turned into one of the team’s best-received posts on social media. Beric is also quick with a joke and speaks five languages.
On the field, Beric has scored twice in five games and has shown signs of being a dependable forward worthy of his designated player spot. At 6-2 and 183 pounds, Beric’s ability to leap for crosses figures to be an advantage for the Fire, while his strength gives them reliable hold-up play as teammates arrive into the attacking third of the field.
But because of circumstances beyond his control, Beric hasn’t played once in Chicago. The Fire’s two games before the pandemic paused the season were on the road, their next three were in Florida during the MLS is Back tournament, and if the 2020 season resumes in home markets it’s hard to picture fans being allowed in to watch.
Read more from Brian Sandalow here.
8:26 a.m. In praise of Bud Billiken, banished in 2020 by COVID-19
Saturday was Bud Billiken Day. This year, “The Bud” was banished.
Since 1929, the annual Bud Billiken Parade has been the apex of Chicago’s sunny, sultry summers, an iconic South Side celebration of Black children as they head back to school.
This year, the largest African American parade in the United States was cancelled, for the first time in 91 years, called off by the merciless restrictions of COVID-19.
In 1929 Robert S. Abbott, founder and publisher of the legendary Chicago Defender newspaper, launched the parade to celebrate childhood and the joys of summer. It was sponsored by the Chicago Defender Charities.
According to the parade’s website, in the 1900’s, a Billiken “was a charm doll embodiment of good luck and fortune and was also regarded as the guardian of children.”
Read more from Laura Washington here.
7:45 a.m. Last-ditch virus aid talks collapse; no help for jobless now
WASHINGTON — 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.”
Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said, “Unfortunately we did not make any progress today.”
With the collapse of the talks, he said President Donald Trump was now likely to issue executive orders on home evictions and on student loan debt.
Read the full story from the Associated Press here.
New Cases
- Public health officials announced the state’s largest new caseload in more than 10 weeks on Friday — 2,084 new cases — as well as 21 additional deaths attributed to COVID-19.
- Cubs’ weekend series in St. Louis postponed after Cardinals player tests positive for COVID-19
- 2nd federal prisoner at Marion dies this week of COVID-19
Analysis & Commentary
8:45 a.m. Go ahead and laugh, but maybe the Bears’ approach to COVID-19 will help during the season
These are strange times for everybody but perhaps strangest for NFL coaches, who normally would be screaming at players to their heart’s desire during training camp but instead are reduced to watching them do jumping jacks these days.
OK, maybe not jumping jacks. But strength and conditioning work. And walkthrough choreography. Certainly not hitting or blocking, those activities commonly associated with football. COVID-19 has forced the NFL to ease into tough-guy activities this summer. Hitting won’t commence until padded practices begin Aug. 17.
This probably doesn’t need to be pointed out, but football is a contact sport and social distancing isn’t. What are football coaches without large human beings smacking other large human beings? Coaches without nourishment, that’s what.
But coaches are coaches. They can find meaning in anything. An offensive lineman is busy clipping his toenails, and his position coach is amazed by the attention to detail. A quarterback sits reading something other than the playbook, and his coach, while slightly concerned about communist tendencies, raves about the kid’s intelligence.
The Bears are very proud of their response to the pandemic, with players dutifully wearing masks and avoiding each other like the … coronavirus. They also think their approach to COVID-19 might be a competitive advantage this season. My initial response: That’s such a Bears thing to think. Over the years, I’ve railed against the franchise’s preoccupation with things that are secondary (team history, practice facilities, etc.) and its failure at things that should be primary (winning games). I’ve criticized coach Matt Nagy for praising quarterback Mitch Trubisky for his leadership skills, his devotion to football and his desire to be great. What about, you know, his ability to play quarterback, we’ve asked and asked. Any news on that front, coach?
Read more from Rick Morrissey here.
7:50 a.m. Preschool programs forge ahead during the COVID-19 pandemic but raise a warning flag
It’s been seven weeks now since the Carole Robertson Center for Learning reopened its early childhood education programs in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, and it hasn’t been easy.
There were new safety procedures for staff, extra responsibilities for everyone plus added costs for protective equipment, cleaning and staffing requirements.
On three occasions, someone contracting the virus necessitated the closing of an entire classroom, requiring all students and teachers in the class to stay home for two weeks.
When that happens, other families often choose to keep their children home for a while, too. Government funding that’s tied to enrollment and attendance dwindles as a result.
But even as the Chicago Public Schools will be keeping classrooms closed this fall, the Carole Robertson Center and other nonprofit organizations that form the backbone of Chicago’s early childhood education network are forging ahead.
