Politics & Government
Coronavirus In IL: 'We Need Much More' From Feds, Pritzker Says
After weeks of urging Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act, Pritzker was pleased the president has finally done so.
ILLINOIS — As he gave his daily update on the fight against coronavirus in Illinois, Gov. J.B. Pritzker against repeated his plea for President Donald Trump to invoke the Defense Production Act to speed production of much-needed supplies like ventilators. As he spoke, Pritzker learned he'd gotten his wish.
"Today, I signed a Presidential Memorandum directing the Secretary of Health and Human Services to use any and all authority available under the Defense Production Act to require General Motors to accept, perform, and prioritize Federal contracts for ventilators," Trump said Friday. "Our negotiations with GM regarding its ability to supply ventilators have been productive, but our fight against the virus is too urgent to allow the give-and-take of the contracting process to continue to run its normal course. GM was wasting time. Today’s action will help ensure the quick production of ventilators that will save American lives."
Don't miss updates about precautions in the Chicago area as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.
Find out what's happening in Across Illinoiswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Illinois Coronavirus Update March 27: U.S. Surpasses China
Pritzker's response to the action, which he said "should have happened weeks ago," was mixed.
Find out what's happening in Across Illinoiswith free, real-time updates from Patch.
"That is really great news … but we need more," he said. "We need much more. We need thousands more ventilators."
But Pritzker also spoke about Trump's comments Thursday as the president questioned whether some states really needed more ventilators to treat coronavirus patients.
"He did this the same day our nation overtook China and Italy" in terms of the number of coronavirus cases, Pritzker said.
Meanwhile — as Illinois' coronavirus case count hit 3,026 with 433 new cases Friday and the death toll reached 34 — Pritzker said more than 500 applications have been received by the state after calling retired and former doctors and healthcare providers back into action.
He also urged all healthcare providers — from doctors to physician assistants to registered nurses, respiratory specialists and even podiatrists — to sign up for emergency alerts at illinoishelps.net.
"Your fellow Illinoisans need you," Pritzker said. "Your state needs you."
Related:
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
