Prairie State Wire

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker says that he and his office are doing a good job of talking with downstate legislators during the COVID-19 crisis, and regularly updating people on the state’s response. 

But there’s a different story brewing if you ask some of those legislators.

Pritzker holds daily press briefings, has two calls a week with legislators and talks regularly with mayors around the state. 

State Rep. Tim Butler

“We’re doing the best we can to get to everybody every single day,” said Pritzker. “I think we do a pretty good job of it.”

But a recent announcement that the state would acquire vacant hospital space in Springfield caught the lawmaker who represents the region off guard. 

Rep. Tim Butler told The Center Square that during calls between the governor and other lawmakers, Pritzker repeats talking points and doesn’t allow questions. Butler says he wants the governor to do a better job communicating with the legislative branch.

Butler acknowledged that acquiring the Springfield hospital was a big decision and things are moving fast. 

“But as I’ve relayed to him, communication is key in emergency situations because if you don’t communicate well, then a lot of rumors get started, and a lot of misinformation gets out there, and this is a classic case of it.”

On April 5, Pritzker announced that essential workers qualify for childcare assistance through the state.

“All essential workers in health care, human services, essential government services and essential infrastructure now qualify for the state’s childcare assistance program, meaning that the state will cover most, if not all the cost of care with our emergency childcare providers,” said Pritzker.

Childcare centers that are currently shuttered and want to reopen as emergency childcare centers can apply for a new permit through the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services.

Illinois officials reported 1,344 new known coronavirus as of today (4/9), including 66 more deaths. Statewide, COVID-19 case count stands at 16,422, with deaths totaling 528..

This week continues to be among the worst so far. Illinois has 58.2 percent of all hospital beds occupied, with nine percent being COVID-19 patients. More than half of the state’s ICU beds are occupied, with 42.5 percent being COVID-19 patients. Approximately 29 percent of the ventilators in the state are being used by COVID-19 patients, with 35.5 percent of ventilators in use.