Illinois Gov. Pritzker Keeping State Primary on Tuesday

Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Monday that Illinois' primary election will not be postponed, even as the number of confirmed COVID-19 cases in the state reached triple digits, the legislative session was halted and the federal government suggested avoiding gatherings of 10 people or more.

During his daily briefing about the potentially deadly illness caused by the coronavirus, Pritzker pointed to Tuesday's election as a touchstone of normalcy in a chaotic time. His state public health director reported the number of cases in Illinois has hit 105 in 15 counties.

"This is the right thing to do," Pritzker said. "Our democracy needs to go on, we need to elect leaders.

"If we cancel these elections, when would you have an election?"

Ohio officials took action Monday to try and postpone that state's primary, one of four scheduled for Tuesday along with Illinois, Florida, and Arizona.

Pritzker's briefing began just after the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced the guidelines on 10-person gathering guidelines. But President Donald Trump suggested elections should go forward, and Pritzker said health experts he consulted convinced him the voting could be conducted safely.

"Every time somebody goes and votes, a voting machine that people are touching, it's being wiped down," Pritzker said. "We have guidance to all the election judges to make sure to maintain social-separation distance."

For most people, the new coronavirus causes only mild or moderate symptoms, such as fever and cough. For some, especially older adults and people with existing health problems, it can cause more severe illness, including pneumonia. The vast majority of people recover. According to the World Health Organization, people with mild illness recover in about two weeks, while those with more severe illness might take three to six weeks to recover.

But while elections continue, those already elected are staying home. The Illinois House on Monday postponed its session in Springfield until danger from COVID-19 abates.

A memo to members from Jessica Basham, chief of staff to the House speaker, said the session schedule is under daily review "and should be considered 'in flux'" because of the potentially deadly illness caused by the new coronavirus.

"Any call for session will not be made lightly — the greatest priority is the consideration of the health and safety of all our communities," Basham wrote. "A call to return to Springfield amidst this public health emergency would occur only if necessary."

John Patterson, spokesman for the Senate president, said that chamber's schedule is under evaluation.

"The cancellation of this week's session days bought us more time to explore legislative priorities and scheduling," Patterson said. "We are taking it day by day at this point."