THE ILLINOIZE: New re-opening phase this week...Ezike testifies...Vaccinating teachers and nursing homes...One year since the pandemic threw the primary election into chaos

Tuesday, March 16, 2021

Good morning from Springfield.

The Senate comes back to the State Capitol today while the House returns for one day later this week. There could be some fireworks, or, potentially, not so much.

I took my first University of Illinois SHIELD saliva test yesterday (don’t be surprised when you hear me bring out my inner farm boy and call it the ‘spat test’). I tested around 12:45 and had my result before 7:30 last night.

Why isn’t this thing everywhere?

Also, for those of you clicking early this morning, I’ll be on the Bruce St. James show on WLS-AM in Chicago around 6:50 this morning talking about state government and politics. It’ll be my first time on with the new morning host at the legendary station, and I’m looking forward to it. You can listen live online here.

Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike made some news testifying before a Senate committee yesterday, so you know the drill.

Let’s get into it.

EZIKE: NEW RE-OPENING RULES COMING THIS WEEK

Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike says Governor JB Pritzker will announce a new phase for re-opening buildings, facilities, conference spaces, etc. this week. It will supposedly be less restrictive than the current Phase 4, but not the nearly full re-opening that come with Phase 5.

So, let’s call it Phase 4 1/2.

What will be part of this Phase 4 1/2? Well, at this point, we have no idea. As you can imagine, the Governor’s spokesperson did not return our message yesterday.

We know the Governor’s office has been getting a lot of push from some large corporations in the state to allow offices to open, but the state has, thus far, apparently told business leaders they don’t plan to expand past 50% occupancy “anytime soon.” '

Where the Governor’s office appears more likely to move is on conventions. I’m told McCormick Place has more than 30 “major” events scheduled in the second half of the year. Those events could bring in some $90 million in tax revenue. Between the pressure from the Chicago Federation of Labor, business, and other supporters, expect movement on that front.

You could also see more movement around entertainment. Musicals like “Waitress” and “Dear Evan Hansen” were canceled last year. The 3 1/2 year run of “Hamilton” ended right before the pandemic. But think of how many people came in to Chicago for those shows? Hotels, restaurants, the Mag Mile, there’s a lot of jobs and tax revenue that depend on tourism.

Here’s our story on the potential re-opening plans.

LOVED ONES SHOULD BE ALLOWED TO VISIT NURSING HOMES

We’ve heard a lot of stories about families who haven’t been able to visit parents, grandparents, or other loved ones in long term care facilities, like nursing home or assisted living facilities, since the pandemic began.

Sen. Terri Bryant (R-Murphysboro) asked Dr. Ezike yesterday why some vaccinated individuals she’s heard from weren’t allowed in to see their vaccinated family member.

Specifically, it has to do with whether or not there has been a staff or resident case in the past 14 days, which they term an “outbreak.”

“What has happened is that the administrators of these facilities, you know, they’ve been through so much, they’ve been traumatized by the amount of death and illness that they’ve seen,” Ezike said. “Once they get to a situation where they’re outbreak free, no cases in their staff or their residents, they can’t even get there where they’ll open it up to visitors because they’re so frightened that someone will walk in with that case of COVID and spread it.”

Ezike says the state is working on clearer guidance on vaccination and testing requirements to make sure families can see loved ones in a nursing home.

Here’s our story on Ezike’s comments.

TAX VOTES THIS WEEK?

We’re told there’s an internal push underway (not sure if it’s from House Democrats or the Governor’s office) to vote Thursday on the Governor’s proposed $500 million bill to decouple some tax breaks from the federal CARES Act passed in 2020.

At the time, Illinois Department of Revenue Director David Harris (a former Republican State Representative) said the tax would only impact about 9% of so-called pass through businesses.

The House was set to vote the bill down overwhelmingly in January before sponsor Rep. Mike Zalewski (D-Riverside) pulled the bill, saving it for another vote.

It isn’t clear if it is too late for the change to make it into 2020 taxes filed in April or how quickly the Senate would aim to move the legislation.

We reached out to Rep. Zalewski for his plans on the bill last night and didn’t hear back.

THE ELECTION UNLIKE ANY OTHER

Sen. Sue Rezin (R-Morris) was in a great position for a come-from-behind win in the race for the GOP nomination in the 14th Congressional District.

My candidate, a scrappy county Treasurer was trying to overcome big DC bucks to win in the southern Illinois based 15th Congressional District.

But the final weekend before the primary election one year ago today caused a lot of stress, nerves, and uncertainty.

Here are some of my memories of that final weekend.

CONGRATULATIONS

Best wishes to one of my old friends, former Illinois GOP Executive Director and Raunerite Nick Klitzing and his wife, Brittany, also a former Raunerite, on the birth of their first son, JD. Little JD was born Friday morning shortly after the deadline for the Friday edition, so we gave him the weekend to get his feet wet before announcing it to you all.

Babies look like aliens to me, but I’m told this one is cute.

HAPPY BIRTHDAYS

Happy Birthday today to Sen. Linda Holmes and former State Treasurer Alexi Giannoulias, who looks like he’s running for Secretary of State next year. He was elected Treasurer at the age of 30. Today he turns 45. Time flies.

Sen. Darren Bailey turns 55 tomorrow.

Sen. Melinda Bush celebrates Thursday.

WEARING GREEN?

If you’ll be at the Statehouse Wednesday, wear your green and come find me. We’ll be posting pictures online. Or you can e-mail me your giddyup at patrick@theillinoize.com.

Speaking of which, I’ll be at the Statehouse this week, so come say hi! I’ll be the guy in the mask.

BEFORE WE GO…

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Have a great week.