Illinois Review

Thorner/Ingold: Good News on Spread of Coronavirus

By Nancy Thorner & Ed Ingold -

A CNN headline on May 22, 2020 read, CDC estimates that 35% of coronavirus patient don't have symptoms. The article by Arman Azad was based on new guidance for mathematical modelers and public health official from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In summary, the CDC finds that 36% of the individuals testing positive for COVID-19 were asymptomatic. Under CDC guidelines, only those showing symptoms of COVID-19 are eligible for testing. Random data of this sort is trickling in now that employees are being tested in order to return to their workplace, where the percentage is as high as 86%.

Bad news for checking the spread of coronavirus?  Not so fast.

Former Illinois state senator about COVID-19: "It's a lie to pretend that government can protect you"

CHICAGO - "It's a lie for government to pretend it can protect you," former State Senator Steve Rauschenberger (R-Elgin) said this week in an video-recorded interview with Illinois Review. "It's an embarrassment [that elected officials responded as they did] - that's not American, it's not the people we are. We should never let this happen again this way."

"As things have become clearer that this is not going to kill five million Americans," Rauschenberger said. "I think there's been a slowness to address the real issues. We should be focused on the vulnerable, and let the rest of society get back to work, back to school and get on with their lives," Rauschenberger said. 

The 6 min interview:

Mayor Lightfoot's boast Re-Open Illinois rally was dispersed by Chicago Police doesn't line up

Photo by Mark Weyermuller

CHICAGO - Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot was very unhappy about the group "Re-Open Illinois" organizing at the Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park on Memorial Day. She boasted via Twitter that the Re-Open Illinois rally posed an "unacceptable health risk" and was "dispersed" by the Chicago Police.  

The Chicago media took the Mayor's word for it, and reported that the Chicago Police broke up the rally. 

But Mayor Lightfoot's version of what happened doesn't line up with the version "Re-Open Illinois" rally organizers and attendees tell. Lake County Board member Dick Barr walked by a line of observing Chicago Police when leaving the rally - and says the police didn't interfere at all.

Gov Pritzker blasts "Re-Open Illinois" protests; accuses GOP lawmakers, US Senate candidate of being "dangerous"

From video taken at Chicago rally Saturday 

CHICAGO - Monday, Governor JB Pritzker told reporters he feared for his and his family's safety because of signs that were displayed at protests in Springfield and Chicago last Saturday. 

In response to the press conference question from NPR-Illinois, "Governor, are you worried about you, or your family’s safety after anti-Semitic hate speech was used during protests over the weekend?" Pritzker said he was - because of protest signs.

"Yes, I have to admit that I am worried about my family’s safety. You saw some of the signs, some of the vehemence - those people were carrying signs with swastikas and pictures of Adolph Hitler - uh, references to me and my family. Um, yeah, I’m concerned," he said.

Photos of the Springfield rally showed one handmade sign with two swastikas and Pritzker wearing a Hitler-like mustache. A video of the Chicago rally shows protesters loudly rejecting a person flaunting a flag with a swastika. "He's not with us," the protesters said. "Soros plant!" others shouted at the flag bearer.

Di Leo: A Day at the Mall - back when shopping was fun

By John F. Di Leo - 

For at least two hundred years, one of the goals of the retail industry has been to make shopping fun – to make a trip to the general store, or the downtown retail district, or the indoor mall an enjoyable, even entertaining experience.

Stores are designed with an eye to bright colors and comfortable surroundings. Malls have been built with stages in the wings, so they could bring in high school choirs for Christmas caroling, or personal appearances by pop stars or children’s TV performers. Department stores like Nordstrom’s, and grocery stores like Mariano’s spend the money for both a fine piano and a live pianist to entertain the shoppers as they go by.

None of these measures really add anything to the value of that pair of earrings or cufflinks, that candelabra or easy chair, that case of wine or bag of groceries for which you came. 

But these various forms of decoration and entertainment work together to draw you to that store or mall in the first place, and then to inspire you to stay and shop some more. And the longer and more frequently you’re there because you’re comfortable, the more you’ll buy.  A win-win, for both the store itself and the economy at large.

"Chicago Thuggery" directed at Romanian Churches

CHICAGO - Chicago is drawing national attention with the way Mayor Lori Lightfoot chose to deal with Romanian churches that held services Sunday. She ordered "no parking" for nine blocks around the churches. Liberty Counsel, a legal team defending the churches' First Amendment rights, is calling Lightfoot's behavior "mob-like thuggery." 

They write: 

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot has engaged in mob-like thuggery against the Romanian churches that have begun to meet in-person. Even though these churches have their own private parking, and their members don’t park on the street, the mayor ordered “No Parking” signs along the streets for nine blocks around the churches. 

On Sunday, Mayor Lightfoot blocked off nine blocks around the churches posting “No Parking” signs, hoping she would get the neighbors mad at the church. However, the churches are not using street parking with their limited services. The aldermen sent letters to the neighbors of the churches instructing them not to park on the street from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. The letters stated the reason for the “No Parking” signs was due to the Romanian churches holding limited services.

Liberty Counsel Founder and Chairman Mat Staver said, “The actions by the Illinois Governor and Chicago Mayor are reminiscent of mob-like thuggery. These pastors lived under Communist Romania, and now the suppression of the church and their faith has come to their adopted homeland. The outrageous action by Mayor Lori Lightfoot is putting people in danger. These heavy-handed tactics are unconstitutional and will not succeed.”

READ MORE HERE

Where’s Weyermuller? Reporting on Chicago COVID-19 protest

By Mark Weyermuller - 

As states around the country begin to open up, Illinois appears to be stuck in a COVID shutdown that may never end. This week, neighboring states Indiana, Wisconsin, and Iowa all began opening what Illinois' governor deems "non-essential" businesses - including bars, dine-in restaurants, small retail shops, gyms, nail salons, and hair stylists.

Yet similar businesses in Illinois remain closed.

Letter to Editor: I am writing because I am angry

Letter to Editor: 

I am writing because I am angry. Not at you, but at this whole situation. We didn’t shut the economy down for ebola or swine flu. They purposefully shut it down to ruin the economy. As if they haven’t been a pain in the a** enough already since President Trump won. These sorry-a**ed Democrats are becoming tyrannical.

What law says that we have to wear masks? Governor Pritzker does not make the law, the Legislature does. You are supposed to quarantine sick people, not healthy people. 

Who is fighting for the people of LaSalle County?  Why does the Governor have all this power?  He is supposed to be working for us!

Thorner/Ingold: If We Open, Will They Come?

By Nancy Thorner & Ed Ingold -

A 1989 movie, Field of Dreams starring Kevin Costner, told of a farmer who heard a voice telling him to build a baseball diamond in a field. “If you build it, he will come,” referring to Shoeless Joe Jackson, banned from baseball following the 1919 “Black Sox” scandal.

We’re all hearing voices clamoring for the country to open for business following nearly two months in pandemic shutdown. We are assured that if we do this, the economy will rebound like a home-run baseball. It is one thing to allow businesses and stores to resume operations, but recovery depends on consumers. The question is, “If we open, will they come?”

Congress should prevent govs from keeping federal funds from local municipalities, IL delegation says

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Illinois' five Republican US Congress members called on Congress to protect local municipalities from governors withholding federal funds as leverage to demand they keep small businesses closed due to the COVID crisis. 

U.S. Representatives Darin LaHood (IL-18), John Shimkus (IL-13), Adam Kinzinger (IL-16), Rodney Davis (IL-13), and Mike Bost (IL-12) sent a letter Friday to Congressional Leadership urging that Congress take action to prevent governors from withholding federal funds appropriated by Congress for local municipalities that allow their small businesses to reopen in accordance with federal health guidelines, but ahead of arbitrary timelines outlined by states.

Following last week’s announcement of the “Restore Illinois” plan by Governor Pritzker, the Illinois Republican delegation heard from mayors, sheriffs, county board officials, and constituents with deep concern that the current guidelines outlined by the state will cripple the livelihoods of communities downstate.

Sutter: Coronavirus and a Possible Vaccine

By Daniel Sutter - 

President Trump recently announced “Operation Warp Speed,” a plan for a novel coronavirus vaccine by the end of 2020.  I welcome the announcement because the greatest impediment to a vaccine now is the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) approval process. Speedy development of a vaccine is not without precedent.

The FDA vaccine approval process starts with animal testing to evaluate safety and the production of antibodies followed by three phases of human testing.  First is a very small sample to test safety; vaccines sometimes induce immune system reactions which damage organs.  If judged safe, two rounds of randomized control trials ensue involving hundreds and then thousands of participants.

Only a safe and effective vaccine will benefit Americans.  A vaccine will likely be part of returning life to normal.  An ineffective vaccine may unleash another COVID outbreak and thousands of deaths.

Can this be accomplished quickly?  Dr. Anthony Fauci has repeatedly stated that developing a vaccine will take 12 to 18 months; other experts suggest years.  History shows otherwise, at least in one case.  In 1957, a new strain of influenza, the Asian flu, was detected in Hong Kong in April.  Dr. Maurice Hilleman, chief of respiratory diseases at Walter Reed Army Institute of Research, wanted a vaccine ready before it reached the U.S.  When the flu arrived four months later, forty million Americans had been inoculated.  The pandemic claimed 70,000 American lives, but the total likely would have been much higher without a vaccine.

More HERE

Pritzker to face another lawsuit - this one from Will County

MOKENA - Will County Board member Steve Balich says in a YouTube Wednesday that he just left his attorney's office - Bruggemann & Hurst in Mokena Illinois - after filing a federal lawsuit against Governor Pritzker and the state of Illinois for damages.  

Will County GOP Chairman George Pearson, Will County Board member Steve Balich, pet groomer Samantha L. Palya, a non-essential worker Amanda Hameran are all co-plaintiffs in the lawsuit filed with the US District Court Northern District of Illinois - Eastern Division.

"I've gotten all kinds of calls from businesses complaining about why they're not open," Balich said. "I don't have a good answer. People are suffering, people of my district are crying out to me to do something. So I filed this lawsuit." 

Pritzker faces lawsuits from two Republican lawmakers, as well as three Springfield business people: a hair salon owner and a restaurateur with two establishments. The cases argue the governor has neither constitutional nor statutory power to implement consecutive 30-day COVID-19 state of emergency orders. 

The Will County complaint focuses on the US Constitution's Fifth Amendment and the state of Illinois' Article 1, Section 15: 

Plainfield Law Firm says Pritzker's EOs impair fundamental rights; points to Obama-sponsored law

Updated Tuesday, May 12th - 

CHICAGO - In 2004, when state senator in Illinois, former President Barack Obama sponsored legislation that led to the "Illinois Emergency Management Act" - the same Illinois Department of Public Health policy guideline from which Governor JB Pritzker claims to have derived authority to issue his COVID-19 Executive Order 2020-10. 

Obama's 2004 legislation passed the Illinois Senate and House unanimously - but the key points of his bill placed epidemic guidance into the hands of the Illinois Department of Public Health, not the governor's office.

In a piece entitled "Barack Obama’s Sponsored Law Makes Governor Pritzker’s Stay-at-Home Orders Advisory," the Ivec Law Firm of Plainfield, Illinois suggests Pritzker's Executive Orders threaten Constitutional rights.

"To put into our context, Governor Pritzker has issued executive orders which impair a number of fundamental rights," Ivec's legal assessment says.

The Illinois Emergency Management Act - in Illinois statutes as 20 ILCS 3305/18 - states that emergency services and disaster agencies established under the act shall execute and enforce the orders, rules and regulations as may be made by the Governor. However, it does not say the citizens or businesses of our State are under the same obligation. [Ed.notation added]

"In short, the Governor cannot exercise more authority than that given to the Illinois Department of Public Health, who is the supreme authority in matters of quarantine and isolation," Ivec Law Firm says. "This power is limited by our Constitution and by both Statute and Regulations."

Romanian Churches Sue IL Governor for Discrimination

CHICAGO - Romanian churches filed a federal lawsuit against Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker for what they consider his unconstitutional executive orders discriminating against churches by restricting in-person worship services to no more than 10 people while allowing commercial and non-religious entities to accommodate large crowds.

Liberty Counsel represents Elim Romanian Pentecostal Church and Logos Baptist Ministries.

The state police are instructed to fill out “stop cards and field reports” concerning those found in violation of the governor’s executive orders and may receive misdemeanor citations for “Reckless Conduct and Disorderly Conduct under the Illinois code.”

State rep argues "There has to be a better way" to Re-open Illinois

MCHENRY - State Rep. Steve Reick (R-McHenry) appealed to Governor Pritzker Friday in a letter he shared with Illinois Review: 

Dear Governor Pritzker:

During the past several months, I’ve done my best to give you the benefit of the doubt as you grapple with the damage caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. I’ve done so because I have a great appreciation for the pressures you are under, and I know that you have done what you believe to be in the best interests of the people of Illinois. None of us has been through this before, and I was not going to engage in second-guessing.

However, I’m obliged to tell you that your “Restore Illinois” plan, as it affects the people of the 63rd District and McHenry County as a whole is misguided, and must be either changed or scrapped. To include McHenry County within the region that includes Chicago and Cook County is to ignore the realities that exist here.

Thorner: Law enforcement, bio-weapons and financial experts agree: Re-open America

By Nancy Thorner -

An outstanding webinar conference took place April 30, 2020. The express purpose of the webinar was to open Maryland, as well as the whole nation, although comments made by the six featured speakers were apropos for all freedom loving Americans across this nation.

Illinois COVID shut down protesters to Gov Pritzker: Re-open Illinois

CHICAGO - Illinois residents frustrated with Governor Pritzker's heavy handed shut down tactics during the state's COVID-19 crisis took their thoughts to the streets last Friday in Springfield and Chicago.

Homemade signs voiced residents of the Chicago area's angst (as photographed by Mark Weyermuller):

Di Leo: Playing the Coronavirus Lottery in 2020

 

Illinois has participated in public (government-run) lotteries for decades, and it has caused us to think about statistics in a different way.  No matter whether you're talking about a good thing (like getting a big payout due to randomly-generated numbered balls in a box) or a bad thing (like getting a potentially lethal dose of a nasty virus), it's still all about understanding the odds.

How do we, in our daily lives, manage these choices, as reported statistics change?  How does government respond to such numbers, and how should it?  Should public officials be dispassionate in analyzing such data, and can they be, when after all, even public officials are human too, after all (most of the time, anyway)?

John F. Di Leo of Illinois Review explores the question in the American Thinker HERE:

Hundreds call to "Re-open Illinois" at State Capitol

SPRINGFIELD - Hundreds met up at the Illinois State Capitol steps Friday, calling for Governor Pritzker to "Reopen Illinois." 

Three women - Krystin Dodge, Kathryn Ballard and Erica Hafferty organized the rally which they said in a press release was to call for "a peaceable assembly to redress our grievances with how the government is disregarding our God-given rights in disregard of the protections against government provided for by the Constitution and our state laws."

 

Bailey vacates restraining order; promises stronger case against Pritzker due to "newly-discovered facts"

LOUISVILLE, IL – Thursday, State Representative Darren Bailey asked the Appellate Court to voluntarily vacate his restraining order against Governor J.B. Pritzker’s Executive Order. 

However, Bailey said, his efforts seeking the Court’s determination that the Governor exceeded his authority will not end but will only get stronger - based on "newly discovered facts and issues."

BREAKING - Judge rules in Rep. Bailey's favor, against Gov Pritzker's continuing Stay-at-Home orders

BREAKING: Clay County Circuit Court Judge Michael McHaney ruled in favor of State Rep. Darren Bailey against Governor Pritzker's extended executive order Monday. McHaney granted a restraining order to temporarily block Pritzker's continuing stay-at-home order set for May 1st. The governor's current order is to remain in place. Governor says Illinois Attorney General is preparing to appeal. 

More details to come ... Governor reacts at Monday's press conference via www.mystateline.com 

Illinois State Rep. Darren Bailey (R-Xenia) filed a lawsuit Thursday against Governor J.B. Pritzker for a violation of civil rights.

“My lawsuit asks the court to find that Gov. Pritzker overextended his power by issuing additional ‘stay at home’ orders after his original disaster proclamation, which expired on April 9th, 2020,” said Rep. Bailey.

"While special emergency powers were granted to the governor through the Emergency Management Act in the late 1980’s by the Illinois General assembly, the unprecedented power and authority he wields under the current crisis calls for an immediate review and reconsideration of legislative intent," Bailey said.

See lawsuit HERE.

Di Leo: Reality, Risk, and Responsibility

By John F. Di Leo - 

Whenever people question the wisdom of the possibly-well-intentioned “stay at home” orders, there are those who scream "But this Virus is REAL! It really KILLS people!" – and accuse others of denying its reality.

So, let’s start today with a clarification:

We know.   We agree. COVID-19, also known as the Wuhan Flu or the CCP Virus, is certainly real. It certainly does kill some people.

Pennsylvania State Senate Overrides Democrat Governor’s Stay-At-Home Order

Last week the Pennsylvania State Senate passed a bill that overrode Democratic Governor Tom Wolf’s lockdown, or stay-at-home order, instead allowing all businesses to open back up within the federal parameters.

Senate Bill 613, reports The Hill, “would require the governor’s office to align with federal guidelines in determining which businesses will be allowed to reopen during the pandemic, allowing all those that can safely operate with mitigation strategies under Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency guidelines.”

Governor Wolf (picture above) has already closed schools for the remainder of the academic year and extended his stay-at-home order without exception until April 30. All businesses that Wolf deems non “life sustaining” have been closed down, which has drawn criticism of favoritism, Penn Live reported.

More HERE

Di Leo: Healthcare and the Market, in a Time of Crisis

By John F. Di Leo - 

In a market economy, when there is a public need, the private sector will attempt to meet it.  That’s the beauty of the profit motive, after all: it’s an incentive to produce.

If people want food prepared for them, other people open restaurants.  If people want to purchase clothing, other people open factories to make it and stores to sell it.  If people want to live in a house, then architects and construction companies will build houses (and condos and mansions too) to sell to them.

And, by the same token, if people want a cure for a disease, businesses will arise to meet that need as well.

Geneva lawmaker questions Pritzker's unchecked powers as 30-day Disaster Proclamation continues

GENEVA – A state rep from Geneva is concerned that Illinois Governor JB Pritzker's executive powers are going unchecked by the state's other two constitutional branches.

State Representative Dan Ugaste (R-Geneva) is proposing that any Disaster Proclamation by the Governor of Illinois, for which a previous disaster declaration was already made, should be approved by the majority of state legislators from both houses of the Illinois General Assembly.

“First let’s begin by stating this is in no way a criticism of the way which Governor Pritzker has addressed this public health crisis,” said Ugaste. “While the Illinois legislature will have its work cut out for it to ensure our State recovers from the current crisis, one thing that needs to be done now is for the legislature, a separate and equal branch of the government, to approve the extension of the Governor’s Disaster Proclamation beyond the original 30 days.”

Thus far, no such power-balancing action has taken place, despite the Illinois Code setting a time limit on emergency powers.

Di Leo: “Save Lives” or You’re a Horrible Person

By John F. Di Leo -

The nation’s reaction to the current CCP Virus epidemic has been fascinating.

It has revealed an impressive ability of many businesses to adjust their operations at a moment’s notice. It has demonstrated the great advantages offered by modern technology as tools like Microsoft Teams, Webex, GoToMeeting and Facebook Live have enabled employees and students to move their tasks from office to home.  It has shown the flexibility of the logistics network as we switched over to home delivery at a moment’s notice.  It has reminded the world, once again, of the huge generosity of the American people, as Americans make homemade masks and scarves, donate money and food to the needy, and generally rise to the occasion as only Americans do.

But it has also revealed such inherent cancers as individual viciousness - see how the self-righteous demonize those who don’t agree with the establishment line on dealing with it.  It has revealed a tyrannical impulse in many governors, mayors and other politicians.  And it has revealed some incredible hypocrisy in our body politic.

Di Leo: The Painter and the Shutdown

By John F. Di Leo - 

As we watch our jobless claims skyrocket, our businesses close, and our government print currency in an effort to make us feel better about it, this may be a good time to take a step back, and consider what economic activity really is, at its heart.  What is money?  How is wealth created?

It’s a complex question, but as bureaucrats crank up their printing presses and argue about where to send those crisp new dollar bills, we may be better off taking a step back and considering the subject “from 30,000 feet,” as the saying goes.

The Parable of the Painter

A man bought $10 worth of paint and canvas, and went to spend a sunny day at a local park.  He set up his easel at a spot with a good view, and went to work on a scene.

At the end of the day, just as he was finishing up, a passerby saw his work, and was impressed. The passerby paid him $500 for the painting, on the spot.

This is wealth creation.  The painter – through use of his creativity and skill – transformed $10 worth of materials into a $500 product in the span of a single day.

986 new COVID cases in Illinois; 42 additional deaths

SPRINGFIELD – As the number of test results increase, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced Wednesday (4/1) 986 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 42 additional deaths.

Illinois upgrades unemployment claims process during COVID19 surge

SPRINGFIELD – Thursday, Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced they are taking additional steps to address the unprecedented volume of unemployment benefit claims the department has fielded as a result of COVID-19. 

To date, the department has taken several steps to improve the unemployment benefit claims process via the online portal and the call center.

Di Leo: Laundry Lists, Stimuli, and Pop Culture Propaganda

NOTE: Illinois Review offers a platform for conservatives to share ideas, information and opinions. Opinion pieces are not to be considered Illinois Review's position or opinion on topics our gracious contributors submit to share with our readership. We encourage responses and comments in support or opposition.

By John F. Di Leo - 

When Republican members of Congress joined the Trump administration to work on a proposed stimulus plan to address the Wuhan Flu epidemic – a relief package for employers that had to close the doors for a shutdown, and for citizens on layoff as a result – the House Democrats refused to participate, smugly saying “We’ll write our own bill.”

In a single weekend, they presented an 1119-page COVID-19 relief bill of their own, and it was a doozy.  Chock full of pork for the House Democrats’ special interests, it included union giveaways, student loan write offs, institutionalized vote fraud techniques, and more.  A veritable wish list of American statists that they could never pass in normal times, so they threw a Hail Mary pass in the hope that they might sneak it through in an emergency.

Most shocking, perhaps, was the list of Green New Deal elements that the Pelosi bill included.  One after another, it looks like a laundry list provided by Alexandra Ocasio-Cortez’ puppeteers:  mandates for airlines to “offset” their harmless “carbon emissions,”  a push for airports to destroy perfectly functional equipment, yet another new commission for the “study” of the utterly discredited theory of global warming, and more. 1119 pages of this stuff.

IL Congressman Davis works with bipartisan group to push through critical Defense Production Act

WASHINGTON -- In a press release Tuesday morning, U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis (R-Ill.) identified himself as one seven Republicans and seven Democrats to introduce a resolution calling for the use of the Defense Production Act to ensure there are enough health care supplies going to providers to test and treat COVID-19.

"As I continue to talk to health care providers throughout my district, they're worried about having the medical supplies necessary to treat COVID-19," said Davis. "These are unprecedented times and we need all hands on deck. Utilizing the Defense Production Act would provide more direction and incentives for businesses to prioritize the equipment our health care providers are asking for. The sooner we contain this virus, the sooner Americans and businesses can return to normal life."