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* Press release…
The Illinois Retail Merchants Association (IRMA) has released the following statement regarding Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reinstatement of a statewide indoor mask mandate:
“Retailers remain dedicated to the health and safety of employees, customers and our communities. We support the governor’s mask mandate as a measured approach that ensures shoppers continue to have access to needed goods, food and medicine with minimal disruption,” said Rob Karr, president and CEO of IRMA. “We ask all customers to abide by this public health order in a respectful manner. We strongly encourage local law enforcement agencies to promptly assist us in ensuring employees are not subjected to verbal and physical abuse as we have seen in the past and call on local health departments to enforce this order in uniform fashion. We must all work together to ensure the health and safety of our communities.”
Republican responses are here. This post will likely be updated.
*** UPDATE 1 *** Another one…
The Illinois Manufacturers’ Association (IMA) released the following statement regarding efforts to slow the spread of the coronavirus:
“The scientific data is irrefutable: vaccines and mask wearing are safe and effective ways of slowing the spread of the deadly virus. These lifesaving vaccines were created by American manufacturers under federal oversight and are the best way to protect our communities and restore our economy,” said Mark Denzler, President and CEO of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association. “The IMA and our members across the state support vaccinations and mask wearing to slow the spread of this virus. We cannot cede the progress that has been made in restoring our nation’s health and economy.”
…Adding… I asked an IMA spokesperson if this means the group specifically supports the new mandates…
The statement speaks for itself, but to answer your question – Yes
*** UPDATE 2 *** HCCI…
The Health Care Council of Illinois (HCCI), representing over 300 skilled nursing facilities, 55,000 residents and 100,000 employees in Illinois, issued the following statement regarding Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s announcement today to require COVID-19 vaccinations for all healthcare workers, which HCCI called for earlier this week:
“We support Gov. Pritzker’s move to require all healthcare workers receive the COVID-19 vaccine and call on those implementing the Governor’s order to ensure that all segments of the industry are covered, including home and community-based services.
Operators of Illinois’ skilled nursing facilities have spent countless hours formulating plans to educate, encourage and collaborate with residents and staff to get vaccinated, from working one on one with unvaccinated employees, employing infectious disease experts to answer questions and concerns about the vaccine, and partnering with trusted community groups to deploy information campaigns about the importance of the vaccines.
With the rise of the highly contagious Delta variant, we recognized bolder action was necessary to protect the most vulnerable.
The vaccine is the most effective way to put an end to this pandemic. This mandate is a step in that direction.
We are committed to continuing to collaborate with our state leaders, regulatory agencies, unions, workers and community partners to identify the best strategies to keep our patients safe and healthy.”
*** UPDATE 3 *** Press release…
The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce released the following statement regarding the statewide mask mandate:
“With COVID-19 cases rising across Chicago and the state of Illinois, we must do everything in our power to protect ourselves, those around us, and our path to economic recovery. Businesses are in a unique position to change the trajectory of this pandemic, which is why the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce has called on businesses to review and implement policies that require all employees be vaccinated before returning to the worksite, unless a valid health or religious reason is presented. Masks are an essential tool in preventing the spread of the virus, and we support the Governor’s indoor mask order as a common-sense way to help ensure businesses stay open and are able to get people back to work,” said Jack Lavin, president & CEO, Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce.
*** UPDATE 4 *** IPHA…
Tom Hughes, Executive Director of the Illinois Public Health Association (IPHA), released the following statement on Thursday:
“As local health providers, we know that vaccinations and wearing a mask are two effective ways to help end this global pandemic. On behalf of the 88 certified local health departments our association represents, we strongly support the new mask and vaccination mandates issued by the governor today to help protect the health and safety of the people of Illinois against this highly transmissible COVID- 19 variant.
“Our state is facing a rapid increase in COVID-19 cases, and are now straining the demands placed on hospitals, healthcare workers and those charged with protecting the public health, including members of our association. This new surge of cases and hospitalizations has resulted in just one ICU hospital bed available for a region of Illinois covering 20 counties, and more children being hospitalized for COVID-19 than in previous surges. These alarming facts show that something must be done immediately to prevent hospitals from becoming overwhelmed and unable to care for new patients and to protect those that remain vulnerable.
“Members of our association has been on the frontline of protecting the public’s health since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic last year. We strongly support these new mandates that will help save many lives across our state and prevent more hospitalizations. The vaccine is a safe and proven way to help end this pandemic and to prevent future mitigation efforts from being placed on regions in Illinois. We strongly encourage members of the public to support these efforts and get vaccinated to protect their health and stop the spread of COVID-19.”
*** UPDATE 5 *** IHA…
The Illinois Health and Hospital Association and the Illinois hospital community continue to urge all individuals, including hospital employees, to get vaccinated against COVID-19 to safely protect themselves, their families and their communities against severe disease, long-term health consequences of infection and possible death.
COVID-19 vaccines have been proven to be safe and effective. The U.S. currently has the safest vaccine supply in its history. The nation’s long-standing vaccine safety system ensures that vaccines are tested and safe.
From the outset of the administration of these life-saving vaccines that began last December, hospitals across the state have been a critical source of vaccines for their patients, the public and communities.
Over the past few months, many hospitals and health systems in Illinois have put in place mandatory vaccination policies for their healthcare employees.
As the prevalence of infection from the Delta variant grows, vaccination is increasingly important to protect the public by mitigating the spread of this variant and preventing hospitalizations and deaths.We believe the Governor’s vaccination requirement is another important tool to assist hospitals in their ongoing efforts to encourage vaccination of their staff as they work to address their local workforce needs while ensuring the health and safety of their employees, patients, and communities.
posted by Rich Miller
Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 10:52 am
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Hoorah IRMA
Comment by walker Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 10:58 am
Boom.
Comment by Amalia Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 10:58 am
This is how it’s done.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:02 am
Watch them solidify support on this issue to the dismay of the “freedumb” folks who will continue to dig their hole deeper. They will continue to push the primary candidates to the right, making them unelectable in the counties that matter. (Don’t have to like that part; I’m a downstater and wish we had more weight. It is what it is.)
Comment by Steven Simpson-Black Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:06 am
The answer to every question is money.
Comment by Flyin' Elvis'-Utah Chapter Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:07 am
The lesson here?
Those pushing “money over lives” are reading here that retailers fully comprehend…
Only those alive… will be spending money.
Masks. Save. Lives.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:09 am
The only way to keep stores open and, even more importantly, consumers voluntarily going to those stores is for it to be safe for them to do so.
Comment by cermak_rd Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:21 am
IRMA and IMA just signaled to sane Republicans that there is a coalition to be had if someone has the brains to repudiate the anti-mask, anti-vax lunacy that has its grip on the GOP.
Can anyone step up and lead now that these two huge groups have pointed the way? Durkin? Kinzinger? Dillard?
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:29 am
Businesses want certainty. Masks and vaccines are the only way to get anywhere close to that.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:29 am
To the update;
The island of those anti-vax and anti-mask is shrinking and could be flooded by the waves of those understanding the stakes
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:29 am
Good.
Comment by workingfromhome Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:30 am
=== IRMA and IMA just signaled to sane Republicans that there is a coalition to be had if someone has the brains to repudiate the anti-mask, anti-vax lunacy that has its grip on the GOP.
Can anyone step up and lead now that these two huge groups have pointed the way? Durkin? Kinzinger? Dillard?===
This is top shelf.
Why be on the wrong side, the side you don’t agree with anyway?
Lead. Be bold. Ya got cover. Get on board.
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:32 am
Nice to see that we’re beginning to get more people rowing in the same direction.
Comment by Chito Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:32 am
IRMA and IMA - thank you. You led here, and you’re making IL healthier and safer, without a doubt.
Now the hard part again.
IRMA stated, “We strongly encourage local law enforcement agencies to promptly assist us in ensuring employees are not subjected to verbal and physical abuse as we have seen in the past and call on local health departments to enforce this order in uniform fashion.”
Will the Sheriffs, States Attorneys and others who last year stated publicly they were not enforcing mask mandates do so again ?
Have they learned more and changed their minds ?
If not, to whom will IRMA and IMA turn for enforcement ?
Comment by Scott Cross for President Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:40 am
The GOP used to consider itself the party of personal responsibility. The messages from IRMA and IMA are a good reminder of that.
Comment by Pundent Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:41 am
Thanks to them for not pandering to the lowest common denominator amongst their members.
Comment by Bruce( no not him) Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:45 am
Good for these trade groups being responsible for their members and good for the governor taking some strain off businesses by giving govt support when they try to do the right thing for their workers and customers.
Comment by hisgirlfriday Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 11:56 am
You don’t see the word “cede” often in a press release…
Comment by Friendly Bob Adams Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 12:05 pm
Clinton County Health Department and Sheriff are asking residents to stop harassing the employees of the health department. It’s been ugly, and only getting worse.
Comment by Highland, IL Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 12:14 pm
I never thought I’d see a day where the IMA is out front of AFSCME, the CFL and others on an important issue.
Comment by Chicago Blue Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 12:38 pm
Let’s not forget that the Chicagoland Chamber came out urging its members and employers to mandate vaccines outright. Labor really needs to work it members better and step up.
Comment by Southside John Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 12:46 pm
How many people must get sick or die,
Before you put on a mask?
How many folks must be hospitalized
Before you get your vaccine?
The answers, my friend
Are right in front of you
And IRMA is backing them too…
Comment by thisjustinagain Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 12:49 pm
Hoorah IMA.
Comment by walker Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 2:02 pm
Want to see how serious everyone is about vaccines?
Will Illinois lawmakers amend The Health Care Right of Conscience Act and exempting COVID vaccines from protecting Illinoisians from consequences for not being vaccinated for COVID, including any/all booster shots?
While voluntary compliance is preferred, given all the blaming the unvaxed talk going around, could changing the law help encourage, with a “get the COVID vaccine or else” message?
Comment by John Lopez Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 2:07 pm
=== The island of those anti-vax and anti-mask is shrinking and could be flooded by the waves of those understanding the stakes===
Shrinking by the second
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 3:00 pm
I assume it must be freezing in he!! because I find myself agreeing with IMA and kicking AFSCME to the curb
Comment by Joe Bidenopolous Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 3:06 pm
Without the support of IRMA, IMA, the Chicagoland Chamber, or the Illinois Chamber, the Illinois Republican Party is like a navy without any ships.
They can whoop and holler from the shoreline all they want, but they ain’t going to win any wars.
Comment by Thomas Paine Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 3:42 pm
Time to start shopping in Iowa im not doing any kind of mask mandate this is political posturing trying to get more federal funding to pay bills
Comment by Yep Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 4:07 pm
Can you just, please, stay in Iowa? Forever.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 4:10 pm
Ever wonder why you don’t actually live in Iowa?
LOL
Comment by Oswego Willy Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 4:16 pm
==Time to start shopping in Iowa im not doing any kind of mask mandate==
Please. Stay there. Breathe all of your viruses on them.
Comment by Demoralized Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 4:18 pm
Yep, I know Facebook/Fox News/Newsmax/OANN isn’t telling you this but your use of “political posturing” is ironic. The opposition to the virus all started with the former president viewing the virus as some conspiracy against him and all the opposition is nothing but political posturing.
Comment by MyTwoCents Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 5:20 pm
“mask mandate this is political posturing”
“As local health providers, we know that vaccinations and wearing a mask are two effective ways to help end this global pandemic.”
And yet health care organizations support it. You do realize hospitals and ICUs are filling up right? Is that political posturing too?
Comment by Steve Polite Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 5:21 pm
“ Time to start shopping in Iowa im not doing any kind of mask mandate this is political posturing trying to get more federal funding to pay bills”
Well, bye
Comment by Fixer Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 7:29 pm
Whats fun about this mask mandate is that the communities that would benefit the most from the mandate are simply not going to follow it and have elected leaders that won’t lift a finger to enforce it.
Comment by Candy Dogood Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 8:10 pm
I feel you Candy, but not sure fun is the right word.
The right word begins with f-u- and ends in - - e-d though.
Comment by 47th Ward Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 8:43 pm
IPHA supports the new mandates. Great. Will they now actually enforce them in local stores and restaurants?
Comment by zatoichi Thursday, Aug 26, 21 @ 9:31 pm