Thread by @chicagosmayor

“Tonight, I want to discuss how our great, strong, and resilient city is responding to the unprecedented coronavirus, the impact it is already having on our daily lives, as well as things we should be doing to weather this fierce storm.”

—Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot

“The threat posed by the coronavirus or COVID-19 is real and growing.

I want you to know that we have been and will continue to aggressively tackle the threat this poses to you and your loved ones.”

“I want you to be able to lay your head down at night comforted by the fact that we are ready to meet this challenge. We prepare all year long for crises so that when it comes to our door, we are tested and ready.”

“And our first responders—police, fire, EMTs, call takers and dispatchers—they run to danger every day and meet you in your most distressed moments. They too are ready.”

“And our first responders—police, fire, EMTs, call takers and dispatchers—they run to danger every day and meet you in your most distressed moments. They too are ready.”

“First, we have repeatedly asked throughout this crisis that if you are sick, stay home. Most of you have listened, but some have not. And those of you that have not are not only putting yourselves at risk, you are endangering the public.”

“Today, at my direction, the Department of Public Health issued an order that until further notice, if you are sick with respiratory symptoms like cough, fever, or shortness of breath...

...or if you are beginning to feel sick—body aches, fatigue, sore throat—you too are ordered to stay home unless seeking medical care, or other essentials like food.”

"And let me also repeat, if you are a member of a vulnerable population—that means people over 60, but especially people with underlying medical conditions—stay home if at all possible. Put your health first and don’t put yourselves or others at risk."

"I am announcing now that Chicago Public Schools will be closed through April 20th with students returning on Tuesday, April 21st, 2020. We need to give parents and guardians plenty of advance notice about this reality and the ability to plan."

"CPS and the city will continue to support you in the ways that they have through these early days of the school closures. A thousand thanks of gratitude to everyone inside and outside of CPS who have been stepping up for our kids and our families."

"I have also received a number of questions about city finances and revenue. While this crisis is certainly adversely affecting many parts of our local economy, I want to assure you that our city finances remain strong."

"We have more than sufficient cash on hand and we prepared for a potential economic downturn as part of the projections we released last year for our 2020 budget."

"Finally, it helps that we received an unexpected $100 million windfall from refinancing our debt earlier this year and we are looking at other opportunities to leverage the low interest rates that currently exist."

"So, while city government finances are weathering this storm, for many individuals, this is the financial challenge of a lifetime. Here’s some immediate steps we have taken to help relieve the burden on you..."

"We have suspended many of the debt collection, ticketing and impound practices that the city engages in until April 30th."

"This includes suspending: booting of cars, late fees and defaults on payment plans for all city debt – this includes parking tickets, red light camera speed violations, and utility bills."

"We will not make any collection efforts until April 30th at the earliest and we will not be referring you to debt collectors..."

"...And accordingly, the Chicago Administrative Courts is continuing all court dates until at least April 30th without any interest penalties."

"No city debt checks for rideshare and taxi drivers, and we are limiting ticketing, towing and impounding of vehicles to public safety-related issues."

"I want to also note and thank Sheriff Tom Dart who previously announced that he is delaying enforcement of all eviction orders until April 30th."

"I call upon all property owners to give tenants some grace wherever possible during these trying times. No one needs the added stress of evictions—certainly not now."

"While we must address the individual needs of our residents during this challenging time, it is also important that at the city level, we also take a leading role in supporting our small businesses."

"When we support small businesses, we support their workers, who in turn help uplift the vibrancy of our neighborhoods. That is why I am proud to announce the creation of the Chicago Small Business Resiliency Loan Fund."

"This Fund will start with more than $100 million in targeted, low-interest loans to severely impacted small businesses. These loans are designed to provide much needed cash-flow relief for neighborhood entrepreneurs."

"In addition, to the Resiliency Loan Fund, we are providing further relief to small businesses by extending the due dates for tax payments until April 30th for the following City taxes..."

-Bottled Water Tax
-Checkout bag tax
-Amusement tax
-Hotel Accommodation tax
-Restaurant Tax
-And the Parking Tax

"I finally want you to know that we are in daily conversations with our federal partners and particularly our Chicago-area Congressional delegation.

Thanks to Senators Durbin and Duckworth and all of the Congresspeople who touch Chicago for being our champions in DC."

"In closing, let me say this: I am your mayor of course, but I am also a wife and a mom. I am a friend to many and a neighbor."

"My team and I have worked tirelessly over these last 10 months to build an administration steeped in compassion and empathy. To reflect the realities of your lives in everything we do."

"And now in this moment that challenges us all, I want you to know that far from abandoning these core principles, we are placing them front and center in everything we do."

"I care about the people in this City that I may never meet just as I care about my own family, my beloved friends and my neighbors that I see every day."

"And Chicago, we need to love each other with all our hearts today and every day. While this is a time of physical isolation, we still need to stay connected."

"We need the warmth of smiles, hellos and thank yous. The words of comfort and acknowledgement that each of us, regardless of station or circumstances matters."

Gwendolyn Brooks got it right.
“We are each other’s harvest.”
“We are each other’s business.”
“We are each other’s magnitude and bond.”

"Our challenge is not over, and our work is not done.

But we will get through this together, because we can and we must.

God bless you and our great city."

"Be safe."

—Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot