An unnamed IDES employee sent a screenshot of unemployment claims that are yet to be adjudicated – 12,440 to be exact. All are out-of-work people waiting for interviews to find out if they can even get benefits. The IDES employee said most were filed back in March and won’t even get interviewed until late this month – if then.

State Sen. Andy Manar (D-Bunker Hill) says mounting fiscal uncertainty and looming cuts to county and municipal budgets could impede local public health efforts and our state’s progress. “This additional funding will ensure they have what they need to do their jobs effectively through the end of our recovery period.”

Comment: This article doesn’t mention the incident last week in Illinois, described here, but it sure applies. A good lesson for all sides.

Asked when he plans to release concrete details of the budget adjustments he will recommend, Pritzker said he is working with members of the General Assembly.

Comment: Astonishing. Simply astonishing.

Writes Lake County Board member Jessica Vealitzek: “The Board cannot withhold that property tax revenue any more than we could take funds from the local PTO. Any change to that law would need to come from Springfield.”

When Gov. J.B. Pritzker on March 20 issued his stay-at-home order to battle spread of the coronavirus he allowed medical and adult use cannabis dispensaries to remain open as essential businesses.

A memo to legislators from the House Speaker’s chief of staff on Monday said a small number of employees will be returning to their offices to restart activities. Limits to the number of staff will be maintained, as will social distancing and face coverings. No plans have been announced to convene session.

The General Assembly has not met since early March because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Yet, between their inauguration Jan. 9, 2019, until March lawmakers choose not to ask voters for common-sense constitutional amendments that could have reformed problems that have dragged Illinois down for decades. Here are the reforms voters are missing.

Illinois is the fourth most restrictive state.

Comment: Plenty of Illinoisans outside of Chicagoland would welcome that.

“My question for you is, where in the constitution did the people of Wisconsin confer authority on a single, unelected Cabinet secretary to compel almost 6 million people to stay at home and close their businesses and face imprisonment if they don’t comply, with no input from the Legislature, without the consent of the people?” Justice Rebecca Bradley asked.

In addition to stopping evictions — and eviction court filings — the measure would block foreclosures and “establishes a fund to recoup cancelled residential rent and delinquent mortgage payments and for tenants to secure funds to move.”

East Peoria Mayor John Kahl sent a plan, dubbed the “Tri-County Phased Reopening Plan” to Gov. J.B Pritzker on April 29. At least 20 other elected leaders from the Tri-County area, which includes Peoria, Tazewell and Woodford counties, have also signed onto the plan.