Saturday press conference updates COVID-19 numbers

Posted on March 21, 2020

*The governor holds a Saturday afternoon coronavirus update (Screenshot by K. Murphy)*

By Katherine Murphy

CHICAGO– Governor J.B. Pritzker addressed the state yet again Saturday as cases of COVID-19 continue to increase.

There are 168 new cases and one additional death in Cook County, bringing the statewide totals to 753 confirmed cases and 6 deaths.

Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said what’s important now is staying safe.

With the stay at home order in full effect the governor is hoping everyone in Illinois can obey.

All non-essential employees have been asked to stay home – but what determines who is essential?

There’s a full list of guidelines at coronavirus.illinois.gov.

Katherine Murphy can be reached at [email protected]

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year. It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city. Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University. We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk. Going to work every day for some people means…