Latest Post | Last 10 Posts | Archives
Previous Post: A bit of schadenfreude amidst the craziness
Next Post: Pritzker: Illinois has first COVID-19 death; 22 new cases at DuPage longterm care facility; Feds “monopolizing supplies and not providing them to the states”; “I will not use this moment to supersede my constitutional authority”
Posted in:
* Press release…
Attorney General Kwame Raoul today warned businesses to maintain fair prices on goods and announced that the Attorney General’s office will take action to stop unfair pricing on items that are crucial to stopping the spread of the coronavirus (COVID-19) outbreak.
Raoul’s office has received more than 100 complaints over the last few days from individuals about what they believe is price gouging on items tied to the epidemic, such as hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, face masks and disinfectant sprays. Attorney General Raoul is directing businesses to maintain fair pricing, particularly on items public health agencies are recommending people use to prevent the spread of coronavirus.
The Attorney General’s office is collaborating with state’s attorneys throughout Illinois to combat price gouging within communities. In addition, Gov. Pritzker issued an executive order Monday that prohibits price gouging and give the Attorney General enforcement authority. Raoul’s office is currently prioritizing enforcement action for price gouging on essential medical supplies, such as protective gear, and other items identified in the governor’s executive order.
“Now more than ever, it is crucial to put people before profits, and I will not hesitate to use my office’s authority to take decisive action against those that deliberately raise the prices of items that are crucial to stopping the spread of the coronavirus. I am committed to collaborating with partners in law enforcement and retail to ensure that businesses do not seize upon this crisis to make money,” Raoul said. “Price gouging will not be tolerated, and I will use all tools at my office’s disposal to hold accountable anyone whose pricing prevents Illinois residents from purchasing necessities that can save the lives of our most vulnerable residents by stopping the spread of the coronavirus.”
The Attorney General’s office is responsible for enforcing the Illinois Consumer Fraud and Deceptive Business Practices Act, which provides consumer protections against fraudulent and deceptive business practices. Raoul’s office has contacted state’s attorneys and law enforcement agencies, as well as the Illinois Retail Merchants Association and Illinois Manufacturers’ Association, to ensure that businesses do not inhibit efforts to stop the spread of coronavirus by exorbitantly raising prices on items people need in order to avoid contracting COVID-19.
In addition to encouraging individuals to file complaints related to unfair pricing, Raoul’s office is monitoring products on websites including Amazon, eBay and Facebook, and contacting companies regarding ads or offers that may be problematic. The Attorney General’s office will continue to investigate and attempt to mediate allegations of unfair pricing.
Raoul’s office is also encouraging people to limit purchases to only items they need and to avoid “hoarding” items that are in high demand as more residents make plans to remain at home to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
* Meanwhile, Sen. Dave Syverson (R-Rockford) is either unclear on the concept or he’s pouting…
My only concern is some of that stuff just doesn’t make sense. Why not close grocery stores also? Why only restaurants and bars?
Yeah, close the grocery stores. Right. We need grocery stores, Senator. Bars and Applebee’s? Not so much.
* Highlights from the WBEZ live blog…
Mayor Lori Lightfoot has postponed the monthly City Council meeting scheduled tomorrow, citing new guidance on COVID-19 precautions from Illinois Governor JB Pritzker’s office. […]
The Chicago Transit Authority says the coronavirus appears to be having an effect on ridership. The agency says that, Wednesday through Friday, train ridership was down 19% and bus ridership dropped 6%. The CTA says those were the latest preliminary ridership statistics available.
* From the Tribune’s live blog…
Some Illinois liquor stores expect spike in demand in wake of coronavirus bar closures […]
Highland Park paramedics under quarantine after treating patient with possible exposure to COVID-19
The prospect of losing our first responders to quarantine (or worse) is something that truly alarms me about the next several weeks.
…Adding… Another one…
A Chicago Fire Department paramedic has tested positive for coronavirus and has now been quarantined, City Hall disclosed Tuesday.
The first confirmed case to any of the city’s first-responders was disclosed by Dr. Allison Arwady, the city’s health commissioner, during a conference call with reporters that include Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
“CDPH has already done an investigation [to] ensure the safety of fellow employees. There’s no indication that the member contracted the virus during a service call. The case is doing well in isolation at home,” Arwady said.
* From the WUIS live blog…
Lincoln Library Closes, Public Encouraged Not To Attend Tuesday City Council Meeting, Springfield Fire Department Offers Phone Line To Self-Report COVID-19 […]
Sangamon County Declared “Disaster Area”
* Meanwhile…
Illinois is allowing marijuana dispensaries to provide curbside sales to medical patients to protect them from potential coronavirus infection.
A memo from the Illinois Department of Financial & Professional Regulation sent to dispensaries on Monday provided guidelines. “The exchange of cash and product must take place on the dispensary’s property or on a public walkway or at the curb of the street adjacent to the dispensary.”
Home delivery is not allowed. Dispensaries must scan the ID cards of patients or caregivers, but they don’t have to hand over the IDs.
They should have drive-through windows.
posted by Rich Miller
Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 2:02 pm
Sorry, comments are closed at this time.
Previous Post: A bit of schadenfreude amidst the craziness
Next Post: Pritzker: Illinois has first COVID-19 death; 22 new cases at DuPage longterm care facility; Feds “monopolizing supplies and not providing them to the states”; “I will not use this moment to supersede my constitutional authority”
WordPress Mobile Edition available at alexking.org.
powered by WordPress.
Thermometers are extinct these days. Impossible to find and check out the prices on Amazon from 3rd party sellers… Crazy
Comment by ktkat1 Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 2:08 pm
=== Bars and Applebee’s? Not so much.===
As long as you don’t lump liquor stores in with that I agree.
Comment by Been There Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 2:09 pm
The high school debate society “cleverness” and feigned obtuseness of elected officials like Dave Syverson is really pathetic and harmful.
None of the Rockford-area GOP delegation is covering itself in glory these days with their downplaying and unhelpful comments. The Eastern Bloc clearly has allies in the north.
Comment by Moe Berg Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 2:11 pm
Shut grocery stores? I guess the good Senator is looking to become the Purge at this point?
Comment by Frank talks Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 2:18 pm
===As long as you don’t lump liquor stores===
LOL
Yeah, like I would do something like that.
Comment by Rich Miller Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 2:22 pm
==== Bars and Applebee’s? Not so much.====
==As long as you don’t lump liquor stores in with that I agree.==
Remember that the idea of the bar/restaurant dine-in closures is the same as sports/theater/large event/etc. closures. We don’t want people hanging around in large groups for a long period of time, because that increases community exposure and transmission. Hopefully we can be trusted to buy our liquor quickly at the store [exclamation point].
Comment by Leslie K Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 2:35 pm
The Sun-Times reports that a Chicago Fire Department paramedic has also tested positive; https://chicago.suntimes.com/2020/3/17/21183924/coronavirus-chicago-fire-department-paramedic-tests-positive
Comment by JoanP Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 2:39 pm
==Some Illinois liquor stores expect spike in demand in wake of coronavirus bar closures […]==
Pennsylvania has ordered all state Spirits and Wine stores to close at the end of today. Not sure if this also includes the sale of beer.
Comment by G'Kar Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 3:54 pm
===
===As long as you don’t lump liquor stores===
LOL
Yeah, like I would do something like that=====
I imagine there will be a lot more people singing along with George Thorogood and his good buddy wiser along with friends Jack and Jimmy.
Comment by Been There Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 4:04 pm
First responders and local governments are being kept in the dark about confirmed cases by IDPH due to HIPAA. IDPH is mandating the county health departments not share any information about confirmed cases so emergency responders, local authorities, and others are being put at risk.
First responders could be walking into homes with COVID-19 cases without knowing about it.
At a minimum, addresses should be shared.
Comment by OOO Tuesday, Mar 17, 20 @ 7:13 pm