April 9, 2020
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker recommended Tuesday that event organizers consider canceling all large event gatherings scheduled to take place over the summer.
Speaking at his daily coronavirus briefing, Pritzker expressed his belief that large events, such as festivals and concerts, pose a risk to a state expected to hit its peak in coronavirus cases in mid-to-late April.
“From my perspective today, I don’t see how we’re going to have large gatherings of people again until we have a vaccine, which is months and months away,” said Pritzker. “I would not risk having large groups of people getting together anywhere. And I think that’s hard for everybody to hear, but that’s just a fact.”
Pritzker also stated that the state is unlikely to rescind its stay at order before the newly-extended deadline of April 30. The order, which went into effect on March 21 and was originally scheduled through April 7, prohibits nonessential travel. The order does, however, allow outdoor exercise that follows social distancing guidelines and trips to grocery stores, banks and other essential businesses.
Pritzker cited the effectiveness of Illinois’ stay at home order for potentially stunting the rate of increase of coronavirus COVID-19.
“Everybody needs to know that, if we are improving — and it’s still up in the air — but if we are improving here in the state, it is because people are staying at home,” said Pritzker. “Just because we’re bending the curve does not mean it’s bending down yet.”
Chicago earned the reputation of a music haven, hosting hundreds of music festivals during the city’s summer months.
Pritzker’s declaration places many major events–including Riot Fest, Pitchfork, Lollapalooza and the Guns N’ Roses concert at Wrigley Field–in jeopardy.
Riot Fest, which is scheduled for Sept. 11-13 at Douglas Park, gained citywide attention after announcing My Chemical Romance’s first Chicago performance since the band dissolved in 2012.
Lollapalooza is scheduled for July 30-Aug. 2 at Grant Park while Pitchfork is scheduled between July 17-19 at Union Park. Guns N’ Roses are set to visit Wrigley Field on July 26.
Pritzker’s announcement also casts doubt on baseball’s return Chicago for the upcoming Major League Baseball (MLB) season. Following the MLB’s decision to postpone Opening Day of the 2020 regular season, MLB officials elected to tentatively explore the possibility of beginning its season in Arizona absent of fan attendance.
The NBA and NHL seasons remain on indefinite hiatus amid growing concerns surrounding the coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic. No officials announcements have been made regarding either league.
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An American Citizen • May 12, 2020 at 8:11 pm
The People of Illinois recommend cancelling your term in office. You are guilty of acts against actual law.
TITLE 18, U.S.C., SECTION 242
Whoever, under color of any law, statute, ordinance, regulation, or custom, willfully subjects any person in any State, Territory, Commonwealth, Possession, or District to the deprivation of any rights, privileges, or immunities secured or protected by the Constitution or laws of the United States, … shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than one year, or both; and if bodily injury results from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include the use, attempted use, or threatened use of a dangerous weapon, explosives, or fire, shall be fined under this title or imprisoned not more than ten years, or both; and if death results from the acts committed in violation of this section or if such acts include kidnaping or an attempt to kidnap, aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to commit aggravated sexual abuse, or an attempt to kill, shall be fined under this title, or imprisoned for any term of years or for life, or both, or may be sentenced to death.
Jimmy Newton • May 12, 2020 at 3:41 pm
Everyone should go back to their lives and ignore this buffoon! He does not have the authority to keep us locked up or dictate how to live our lives!
Eralc • May 12, 2020 at 1:54 pm
THE STATE IS UNDERWATER IN FINANCES, if Jelly Belly wants to keep everyone in house arrest, he’ll need to proclaim no tax increase for the 20/21 yr.
This shut down was to flatten the curve, not to eradicate the virus. When you get your flu shot in Nov, people still die of the Flu in January. TIME TO GET A CLUE FOLKS, WE DON’T LIVE IN A BUBBLE….
chuck Buntenbach • May 12, 2020 at 12:46 pm
Next,he will try and stop interstate traveling. No masks or distancing in photo. Do as I say, not as i do.
A do nothing Democrat, probably under orders from Madigan or party leader pelosi, to ruin the state of il, then ask for a bailout.
Jim Rodriguez • May 12, 2020 at 12:35 pm
Everyone relax, Indianna, Iowa, Missouri and many more are open for business. At least 5 states never closed and 20+ have reopened and look, deaths in those states are not rising. Imagine that!
Get a haircut, have dinner and a cocktail, go shopping with social distancing ect. Take your business and dollars to the other states, while billionaire JB destroys what’s left of Illinois.
Open Illinois • May 12, 2020 at 12:29 pm
Prickster is an idiot. Everyone should ignore him
Vals • May 12, 2020 at 12:26 pm
My hubby Andi have a picnic for family and
Dear friends in July we are all spread out in out yard maybe we should try for September.?
Thomas Kane • May 12, 2020 at 9:57 am
Prickster is a bumbling idiot
He is destroying every small business
Because he is a dictator
Janet • May 12, 2020 at 9:04 am
Wow , and they have a large gathering, nobody practicing social distancing, a lot closer than 6 ft. Looks like their on top of each other and nobody is wearing a mask. Want us to wear a mask in a grocery store where I’m a lot of times more than 6 ft away. Have asthma and got breathe in the mask.
Gerald Frost • May 12, 2020 at 7:51 am
He thinks he’s king, will he bring his family back from his #12M horse farm? will he shut them up in his mansion he took toilets out to avoid taxes? Instead of giving people stimulus money to survive he will tax them to death. And for whiny ass liberals who area afraid of ‘offensive’ words or language read the US Constitution not the Communist one!
Sheila Sims • May 12, 2020 at 7:49 am
I believe in everything The governor is doing. He has a hard job and all he’s doing is trying to keep people alive. We have an excellent governor.
Carolyn Brake • May 12, 2020 at 7:37 am
Out in the sunshine,air all Round as God intended. open the state,all functions let everyone get on with their lives. You can’t stop where bird droppings fall but you can kill the bird. You are killing the people and state,you can’t control where a virus lands. Never worked for H1N1,the flu, swine flu,common cold. this is about power,control,suppressing people till breaking point so you can help bring in the NEW WORLD ORDER .
Maxine Shores • May 12, 2020 at 6:54 am
Life is full of ups and downs! There have been diseases from the beginning of time. There have also been tyrants who want to tell everyone else what to do, but don’t do it themselves.
You can live in fear the rest of your life or you can really live your life. God has an appointed time for each of us.
So I believe that as long as we do our part there is no reason why the can’t open up our state.
It’s not a law it’s a suggestion! Our rights are being violated now by this Governor and other Governors who are mostly Democratic party and I find it very interesting! God hates bullying!
Marty • Apr 12, 2020 at 2:51 am
In the photo, nobody is wearing a mask, nor is anyone practicing social distance. ????
Marty • Apr 11, 2020 at 12:41 pm
I agree with the governor-cancel all that nonsense! ?