700 days of rule by executive order under J.B. Pritzker

By Joe Tabor

02/09/2022

Today marks day 700 of life in Illinois under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s emergency executive orders. Other governors, including neighboring Iowa, are rolling back executive control, and the majority of Midwest states are no longer under emergency authority.

TAGS: COVID-19, emergency, JB Pritzker

Illinois has been subject to Pritzker’s emergency powers for nearly 22 months. Where does this power come from?

By Joe Tabor

01/06/2022

Illinois’ emergency management statute grants the governor broad powers to deal with the COVID-19 pandemic, and the General Assembly has shown no interest in amending it.

TAGS: COVID-19, emergency, JB Pritzker

Pritzker emergency No. 20 comes nearly 3 months after Illinois’ full reopening

By Patrick Andriesen, Brad Weisenstein

08/23/2021

Illinois has been ruled by executive order since early March 2020, with Gov. J.B. Pritzker reissuing statewide COVID-19 disaster proclamations every 30 days. On Aug. 20 he declared Illinois a disaster for the 20th time.

TAGS: COVID-19, emergency, JB Pritzker

Pritzker emergency No. 19 comes almost 2 months after Illinois’ full reopening

By Patrick Andriesen

07/30/2021

Gov. J.B Pritzker extended his own emergency powers and Illinois’ disaster zone status through Aug. 21, claiming they were necessary to promote state vaccination efforts. When asked when he would give up his emergency powers, Pritzker wouldn’t say.

TAGS: COVID-19, emergency, JB Pritzker

Pritzker declares disaster for 16th time despite June 11 reopening prediction

By Patrick Andriesen

06/01/2021

Illinois could fully reopen by June 11, but Gov. J.B. Pritzker decided the state was still a disaster zone and he needed emergency powers until the end of June.

TAGS: COVID-19, emergency, executive order, JB Pritzker

ISBE official confirms teachers’ union bosses have heavy hand in anti-private school bill

By Hilary Gowins

05/28/2021

Private schools found a way to stay open during the pandemic while the majority of public schools remained closed. Teachers’ union bosses want to rewrite the rules to handicap their competition should another state of emergency arise.

TAGS: emergency, ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education, private schools, teachers union

Bill giving state new powers to shut down private and public schools advances in General Assembly

By Amy Korte

05/27/2021

HB 2789 could threaten in-person instruction at public and private schools while the COVID-19 emergency order – or any other emergency order – persists.

TAGS: emergency, IDPH: Illinois Department of Public Health, Illinois, private schools, teachers union

Nursing shortage during COVID-19 argues for multi-state licenses in Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen

05/12/2021

Multi-state nursing licenses would help Illinois with long-term senior care, help nurses cross state lines to fight a pandemic and help Illinois face a coming nursing shortage.

TAGS: COVID-19, emergency, Nurse Licensure Compact, regulations

Pritzker’s COVID-19 restrictions may return to parts of Illinois

By Patrick Andriesen

04/19/2021

COVID-19 cases are again on the rise. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker may again impose restrictions on parts of the state.

TAGS: COVID-19, emergency, JB Pritzker, reopen, restrictions

Illinois Senate committee passes bill to help nursing shortage

03/24/2021

Sen. Feigenholtz’s Senate Bill 2068 would add Illinois to 34 other states participating in the Nurse Licensure Compact. Career moves, volunteer work and pandemic relief would all benefit.

TAGS: COVID-19, emergency, Nurse Licensure Compact