Pritzker isn’t budging on contact sports this fall

Gov. JB Pritzker held a press briefing Wednesday in Chicago to give an update on COVID-19. (Neil Doyle/WJBC)

 

By Neil Doyle

CHICAGO – Contact sports are still a no-go this fall, according to Gov. JB Pritzker.

Many are putting pressure on the governor to get kids back into football, soccer, and volleyball. The governor says unfortunately, it’s just too dangerous.

“I’m not willing to sacrifice people’s lives or their health. Neither the children or their parents that would be affected also,” said Pritzker. “We’re being careful about it, but I am relying upon doctors and researchers to give us this information and this isn’t a political decision.”

#LetUsPlay rallies are scheduled for this weekend in Chicago and Springfield, with parents, students and coaches urging the governor to allow them to get back on the field.

Neil Doyle can be reached at [email protected]

Gov. JB Pritzker with an update on COVID-19.

Posted by WJBC on Wednesday, September 16, 2020

Blogs

Labor Day – Expanding voting rights for all

By Mike Matejka Because of COVID, there is no Labor Day Parade this year.  It’s always a great event for our everyday workers to march proudly down the street and enjoys the festive crowd. If there had been a parade, this year’s Labor Day theme was to be “150 years of struggle: your right to vote.” …

Is federal mobilization the answer?

By Mike Matejka As President Donald Trump threatens to send federal marshals into Chicago, over the objections of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker, recall another Illinois Governor who protested the incursion of armed federal personnel into the city.   Those federal troops, rather than calming, escalated the situation, leading to deaths and violence. Illinois poet Vachel Lindsay…

In these troubled times, to my fellow white Americans

By Mike Matejka Our nation is at a unique watershed in human relations. African-Americans have been killed too many times in the past before George Floyd, but the response to this man’s death is international and all-encompassing. I was a grade-schooler during the Civil Rights 1960s. I watched Birmingham demonstrators hosed and the Selma – Montgomery…

Workers’ Memorial Day – Remember those whose job took their life

Looking around our community, when we say employer, most will respond to State Farm, Country, or Illinois State University.   We too often forget those who are building our roads, serving our food, or our public employees. COVID-19 has made us more aware of the risk.  Going to work every day for some people means…