DougFinkeSJR

Thank-you to everyone who expressed kind words and well wishes about my departure from the State Journal-Register, along with Bernie Schoenburg and Ted Schurter. I’m thankful I was able to work in journalism and to cover the Illinois government beat. It’s been a privilege.

Pritzker says this is because of fears there could be another surge stemming from Thanksgiving gatherings.

Pritzker says restrictions will not be eased in any part of the state for several weeks, even if a region meets the criteria for easing mitigations.

Pritzker says the state will only borrow $2 billion of the $5 billion authorized in the budget to cover COVID-19 shortfalls. He said it would be irresponsible to borrow the full amount.

Springfield's YMCA has a distinguished clientele. sj-r.com/news/20201123/…

Pritzker says COVID-19 now the third leading cause of death in Illinois.

Pritzker now lashing out against people who tried to shame his daughter with a photo that falsely said she was violating COVID mitigation rules. She wasn't in the photo, but it didn't stop people from continuing to spread it, governor said.

Pritzker will spend Thanksgiving in Chicago with son. Wife and daughter will be in Florida and will stay there for some time, governor says. First time they will be apart for Thanksgiving.

Pritzker announcing more restrictions because of COVID spread. Entire state moving to Tier 3 mitigations.

Judge Grischow grants temporary injunction. Four restaurants in Springfield serving indoors without food permits need to cease. #SJRBreaking

Eviction moratorium extended for 30 days, but with changes intended to prevent renters who can afford to pay from taking advantage of the moratorium.

City of Springfield just announced that one-third of its fire department is under quarantine because of COVID-19. That's 73 of 214. The department says 19 have tested positive. All fire stations remain open and operating.

Pritzker warns a new stay at home order is in the offing if the COVID-19 spread isn't brought under control.

Excuse me. The entire session is over at this time. Need to read more carefully.

House memo says next week's session is canceled.

The House committee investigating Speaker Madigan was scheduled to have another hearing Thursday. Not anymore. It's been cancelled pending receipt of documents from ComEd.

Supporters of the graduated income tax amendment concede defeat this morning. Last night they were saying they wanted all of the votes counted before they would concede defeat.

With 75% of precincts reporting in Sangamon County, the tax amendment is getting clobbered 60% no to 40% yes.

Very early returns from Sangamon County show U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin, Betsy Londrigan and Joe Biden, all Democrats, with leads. Despite that Democratic support, early county results show the tax amendment getting less than 50%.

Fact: Election experts have calculated that, in a 20-year period, fraud involving mailed ballots has affected 0.00006 percent of votes, or one case per state every six or seven years. chicagotribune.com/election-2020/…