Illinois health officials Wednesday reported 1,677 new COVID-19 cases with 192 additional deaths, the largest number of Illinois fatalities due to the coronavirus in a single day. State totals are now 3,792 deaths out of 84,698 cases. More than 17,000 tests were processed in the previous 24 hours. The positivity test rate over the seven days from May 3 through 10 was 17 percent. Edwards County reported its first case, becoming the 99th Illinois county to record the coronavirus. Only Edgar, Putnam and Scott counties have not reported cases in Illinois.
Governor JB Pritzker toughened his stance on those who defy the stay-at-home restrictions. Pritzker told local leaders pushing for re-opening segments of the economy that they are ignoring science and data, and were elected to not do what is easy but to do what is right. Pritzker also said those who hold state licenses may face consequences for operating outside of the executive order, and local governments could lose state funding. The governor chastised those defying restrictions by asking if the 192 people who died in the past day are not real to them.
Governor Pritzker maintained he has the right to issue executive orders such as the extended stay-at-home restrictions past the original 30 days. When asked by a reporter during Wednesday’s briefing about an Illinois attorney general opinion from 2001 stating the governor did not have that power past 30 days, Pritzker said the current attorney general has not communicated any such opinion to him, and the governor said he is allowed to extend his orders as long as a public health emergency exists.
The Illinois General Assembly plans to convene next week. The Senate will meet at the capitol while the House will meet a few blocks away at Bank of Springfield Center. Sessions are planned for Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at a minimum. Lawmakers will be tested for COVID-19 and will utilize social distancing and wear face coverings. Governor Pritzker urged lawmakers to approve an assistance package for those hardest hit by the pandemic.
