ABC7
— Illinois vote by mail bill passes Senate, heads to Governor JB Pritkzer for signature
https://abc7chicago.com/politics/illinois-vote-by-mail-bill-passes-senate-heads-to-governor-for-signature/6205072/
— Coronavirus Chicago: Here’s what businesses can reopen next – and when – Sarah Schulte, Jessica D’Onofrio
https://abc7chicago.com/business/chicago-wont-begin-reopening-until-early-june-lightfoot-says-/6203672/
NBC5
— Illinois Senate Passes Vote-by-Mail Expansion Gov. J.B. Pritzker has said he looks forward to signing the legislation
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/chicago-politics/illinois-senate-passes-vote-by-mail-expansion/2277018/
— Trump Declares Churches ‘essential,’ Calls on Them to Reopen – Jill Colvin and Zeke Miller
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/politics/trump-calls-on-churches-to-reopen-this-weekend/2276774/
— Justice Department Supports Lawsuit Challenging Pritzker’s Illinois Stay-at-Home Order The lawsuit filed by State Rep. Darren Bailey claims that state law gives the governor only a 30-day period for exercising emergency powers
https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/justice-department-supports-lawsuit-challenging-pritzkers-stay-at-home-order/2276953/
FOX NEWS CHICAGO
— Illinois lawmakers wrap up Springfield special session It’s been an eventful few days for Illinois lawmakers at the special session in Springfield. – Mike Flannery
https://www.fox32chicago.com/video/686957
— Illinois continues to increase COVID-19 testing capacity as state reports 2,758 new cases
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/illinois-continues-to-increase-covid-19-testing-capacity-as-state-reports-2758-new-cases
— Biden says he was too ‘cavalier’ about black Trump backers – Bill Barrow
https://www.fox32chicago.com/news/biden-says-he-was-too-cavalier-about-black-trump-backers
CHICAGO SUN-TIMES
— Pritzker says he plans to sign vote-by-mail expansion into law Democrats supported the measure saying they worried about a second-wave of the coronavirus suppressing voter turnout for the 2020 election. Republicans contended the bill would make Illinois’ election more vulnerable to fraud. – Neal Earley
https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/5/22/21267994/vote-by-mail-expansion-senate-pritzker-covid-19-coronavirus
— Downstate judge blasts Pritzker’s stay-at-home-order: ‘Americans don’t get ruled’ Justice Department also sides with Darren Bailey, says he makes a strong case that Pritzker’s orders “exceed the authority granted to the governor by the Illinois legislature.” – Jon Seidel
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/5/22/21267665/downstate-judge-blasts-illinois-governor-jb-pritzker-stay-at-home-order
— Reopening churches ‘dangerous and foolish,’ Lightfoot tells Trump At a Friday press conference announcing plans to “cautiously reopen” parts of Chicago, Lightfoot said people have to recognize that “virtually everything [Trump] says has a political undertone and basis for it.” – Rachel Hinton and Mitchell Armentrout
https://chicago.suntimes.com/politics/2020/5/22/21267936/churches-lori-lightfoot-donald-trump-coronavirus-covid-worship
CHICAGO TRIBUNE
— Department of Justice declares its support of lawsuit challenging Pritzker’s stay-at-home order – Robert McCoppin
https://www.chicagotribune.com/coronavirus/ct-coronavirus-illinois-stay-at-home-order-justice-department-20200523-upjahom3tfdpbizw5ehswtdfoy-story.html
— Elburn business owners say they are just ‘hanging on’ as pandemic continues – MEGAN JONES
https://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/aurora-beacon-news/ct-abn-elburn-businesses-urge-to-reopen-st-0525-20200523-5l3qe2zmeja43pyug5fhqcgv3y-story.html
DAILY HERALD
— Illinois budget plan needs $6B in federal aid to balance – AP
https://www.dailyherald.com/article/20200522/news/305229923/
— Suburban election clerks ask state to prepare for record demand for vote-by-mail – James Fuller
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200522/suburban-election-clerks-ask-state-to-prepare-for-record-demand-for-vote-by-mail
— Senate Republicans: Stay in session until legislature reaches a bipartisan reopening plan – Jerry Nowicki
https://www.dailyherald.com/news/20200522/senate-republicans-stay-in-session-until-legislature-reaches-a-bipartisan-reopening-plan
WGN RADIO
— COVID-19: Can Illinois crawl out of $7 billion budget hole? – Roe Conn
https://wgnradio.com/roe-conn/covid-19-can-illinois-crawl-out-of-7-billion-budget-hole/
ILLINOIS PATCH
— Job Openings In IL: CDC Hiring Contact Tracers To Fight Pandemic The CDC is looking for contact tracers, who can make up to $65,000 a year and just need a bachelor’s degree and a positive attitude. – J. Ryne Danielson
https://patch.com/illinois/across-il/job-openings-il-cdc-hiring-contact-tracers-fight-pandemic
GENEVA PATCH
— Families Sue Bria Of Geneva Alleging Negligence Amid Coronavirus The families of two residents who died at the senior living facility filed lawsuits Monday and Tuesday. – Jason Addy
https://patch.com/illinois/geneva/families-sue-bria-geneva-alleging-negligence-amid-coronavirus
PROPUBLICA ILLINOIS
— More Than 1 in 5 Illinoisans Living in State Homes for Adults With Disabilities Have Tested Positive for the Coronavirus In Illinois, at least 355 people who live in state-run homes for adults with disabilities have tested positive for the coronavirus. “They don’t know why their family has stopped coming to visit,” a relative said. – Jennifer Smith Richards and Jodi S. Cohen
https://www.propublica.org/article/more-than-1-in-5-illinoisans-living-in-state-homes-for-adults-with-disabilities-have-tested-positive-for-the-coronavirus
ILLINOIS LEAKS
— Clay County Judge issued Restraining Order against Gov Pritzker – JOHN KRAFT
https://edgarcountywatchdogs.com/2020/05/clay-county-judge-issued-restraining-order-against-gov-pritzker/
ILLINOIS REVIEW
— 20 GOP IL HOUSE MEMBERS FORM “IL TAXPAYER FREEDOM CAUCUS”
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/20-gop-il-house-members-form-il-taxpayer-freedom-caucus-.html
— THORNER: HOW MAIL-IN BALLOTS WILL END FAIR AND FREE ELECTIONS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/thorner-hallmark-of-a-democratic-republic-free-and-fair-elections.html
— WHO ARE THE COVID-19 DICTATORS?
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/who-are-the-covid-19-dictators.html
— WEYERMULLER: CHICAGO CATHOLIC FAITHFUL REJECT CARDINAL’S PLAN TO RE-OPEN CHURCHES
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/weyermuller-chicago-catholic-faithful-reject-cardinals-plan-to-re-open-churches.html
— PILL PUSHERS EXPLOITING COVID-19 TO PROMOTE RISKY TELEMEDICINE ABORTIONS
https://www.illinoisreview.com/illinoisreview/2020/05/pill-pushers-exploiting-covid-19-to-promote-risky-telemedicine-abortions.html
CAPITOL FAX
— Madigan: House will convene tomorrow
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/22/madigan-house-will-convene-tomorrow/
— Thursday session roundup
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/22/thursday-session-roundup/
— $5.8 billion budget hole to be (mostly) “filled” with borrowed federal money, paid back (hopefully) with federal assistance
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/22/58-billion-budget-hole-to-be-mostly-filled-with-borrowed-federal-money-paid-back-hopefully-with-federal-assistance/
— Elections omnibus bill clears Senate on final passage
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/22/elections-omnibus-bill-clears-senate-on-final-passage/
— Pritzker announces childcare reopening schedule – Will use federal $ to pay for federal borrowing – Will be “very disappointed” if legislature doesn’t pass legislation addressing withdrawn IDPH rule – Legislature can stay in town if it wants to – Says “look at the log data” will show only one person accessed IDES info – Says he “regularly” talks to clergy – Asked why legislators haven’t taken up a bill on African Americans, Latinos – Supports Chicago casino bill – Republicans “linked themselves” to fringe protesters – Clay County ruling will only apply to Clay County – Plans to stay in Springfield through end of session – Lightfoot decision to go slower is hers to make – Comments on FEMA letter warning law enforcement about funding – Hasn’t seen Sen. Rose’s letter – Children over 2 will wear masks – Called out on food claim – Dr. Ezike explains spread at restaurants – Dr. Ezike says no easing of nursing home visit restrictions
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/22/pritzker-announces-childcare-reopening-schedule/
— 2,758 new cases, 110 additional deaths
https://capitolfax.com/2020/05/22/2758-new-cases-110-additional-deaths/
WASHINGTON TIMES
— U.S. intervenes in case challenging Pritzker’s COVID-19 moves – AP
https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2020/may/22/us-intervenes-in-case-challenging-pritzkers-covid-/
DAILY SIGNAL
— 1% of Counties Home to Half of COVID-19 Cases, Over Half of Deaths – Norbert Michel
https://www.dailysignal.com/2020/05/13/covid-19-tracker-shows-cases-deaths-cluster-in-specific-areas/
NBC NEWS
— Justice Department joins push against Illinois coronavirus restrictions DOJ suggested Gov. Pritzker has exceeded his authority with his stay at home orders, and also sent a warning letter to LA Mayor Eric Garcetti
https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/justice-department/justice-department-joins-push-against-illinois-coronavirus-restrictions-n1213491
NEW YORK TIMES
— Trump Orders States to Allow Places of Worship to Open, Though He Has No Authority To
https://www.nytimes.com/2020/05/22/us/politics/trump-churches.html
NEW YORK MAGAZINE
— Coronavirus May Derail the Republican Convention After All – Ed Kilgore
https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2020/05/coronavirus-may-derail-the-republican-convention-after-all.html
