“They need to pass a budget, perhaps a lump-sum or six-month (or both) budget to allow the state government to operate in these uncharted waters. Beyond that, there’s some cleanup work to do on some of the myriad laws the legislature passed in an end-of-session rush last May.”

Gov. JB Pritzker announced Thursday that more than 20,000 small- and medium-sized businesses across Illinois will be allowed a two-month delay in paying sales tax to the state and local jurisdictions. And small businesses are now eligible for low-interest disaster assistance loans for up to $2 million.

“The importance of quick, accurate and trustworthy information cannot be overstated,” Preckwinkle said Thursday morning, noting it’s important to offer county residents a trusted voice to combat misinformation.

The Tribune studied federal inspection data on infection control for facilities certified by Medicare and Medicaid, representing the vast majority of nursing homes. The analysis found that 89 percent of Illinois homes have been cited at least once since 2016 for violating infection control regulations. Only two states fared worse.

Some experts say it is unlikely that Illinois’ hospital systems could expand facilities anywhere near enough to avoid being overwhelmed.

“I want to address some of the rumors that have been running around,” Pritzker said. “Essential services will not close. Interstates, highways and bridges will stay open. Grocery stores, pharmacies, gas stations – these sources of fundamental supplies will continue to operate.”

“Summoning the General Assembly into special legislative session is not unusual. During the six years I was governor, I exercised that constitutional power to call the General Assembly into special session 36 times. “

A spokesman for Senate President Don Harmon said in an email that Article IV, Section 5 of the Illinois Constitution says sessions of each house of the General Assembly must be open to the public unless two-thirds of the members vote to close them. He also pointed to a state law that says legislative sessions must be held “in the seat of government,” which is Springfield.

The agency said many staff who do not work directly with the public will be working remotely and will still be able to process benefits.

Health care workers are “in jeopardy of potentially running out” of those supplies. In addition, the federal Food and Drug Administration is calling on Americans to continue donating blood during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Chicago metro area climbed a few spots from its place in 2018, but still ranked just 118 out of 200 large markets surveyed.

Comment: You knew it was coming — a request for bailout by Federal Reserve Bank.

“Illinois must be creative and aggressive in attracting and retaining the next generation of leaders for our state,” State Representative Ryan Spain, R-Peoria, said.

“(Compare this) to the same three days during the corresponding week last year, when IDES received 6,074 unemployment benefit claims,” IDES spokeswoman Rebecca Cisco said.

“When you are now hearing of cities like Oak Park and others talking about lockdowns, that is putting people on edge,” Federal Firearms Licensees of Illinois Executive Director Todd Vandermyde said.

In the U.S., state unemployment trust funds generally are in better financial shape than they were before the last recession. Yet 21 states began the year with less than the amount recommended to remain solvent in an average recession, according to a U.S. Department of Labor report. At the bottom of the solvency list are many of the most populous states — Illinois among them.

Comment: Not in Illinois, where the rainy day fund will cover less than a tenth of one day’s spending.

“It’s trite to say that this, too, shall pass. Of course, it will. But that hardly addresses the questions of how much damage to public health and personal livelihoods will be inflicted and what can be done to minimize the suffering.”