Indeed, so many Illinoisans who have lost family and friends to this terrible disease were not even able to have the full funeral services they might normally have had to celebrate the lives and mourn the loss of their loved ones. But I also knew that people had not had a chance to collectively grieve. I knew that the pandemic was far from over. It was attended in person by a few of the family members of Illinoisans who had died of Covid so far and tens of thousands tuned in to attend remotely. Last September, I hosted Memorial Services for those who've lost loved ones and friends in this current COVID pandemic. And I always felt bad about that - she didn't make it, but I did." Of course the other nurse, she went down with the flu, and then I followed shortly after. And you'd have to have the windows open and the rooms were so awfully cold at night and, well, it was hard. The doctors hardly knew what it was when it first came. Hallie said, "In 1918 we had the flu epidemic. Many years later, when she was in her 80's, Hallie recounted to oral historians at the University of Illinois how she and another nurse had worked together and about their pandemic experience. One of the young nurses was a native of Loami, Illinois - a woman by the name of Hallie Staley Kinter. And everything was made all the more dire because so many healthcare professionals were overseas on the fighting fields of World War One even as this microscopic enemy raged on the home front. It seemed that as quickly as patients came in, they were dying even faster. John's Springfield hospital, and those here at the fairgrounds alike were desperate. You see, over one hundred years ago, in October of 1918, a 100-bed emergency make-shift hospital was constructed here to care for Illinoisans afflicted with what became known as the Spanish Flu - because there was no more room at the hospitals. So today I'm coming to you from the Illinois State fairgrounds in Springfield. To gain perspective on these last 12 months, I looked for an anchoring moment in our history - a moment that can remind us of what we can endure and survive together. Nearly no one alive today has lived through anything that could have prepared them for the past year. But the people of Illinois need to hear from their Governor about where we are and where we're headed - regardless of how unprecedented the times. Standing inside a crowded room to deliver a formal address is not possible right now - nor would it be appropriate. Joining me today are two people essential to my work as governor: the incomparable lieutenant governor, Juliana Stratton, and my remarkable wife, First Lady MK Pritzker.Īs you've probably noticed, this State of the State speech looks a lot different than it has in the past. Good afternoon to the esteemed lawmakers who are joining us remotely, and to all the people of Illinois, who have endured so much this past year. GOVERNOR PRITZKER'S STATE OF THE STATE AND BUDGET ADDRESS The Governor and the administration will continue to advance long-term structural budget improvements that continue the stronger fiscal trajectory Illinois was on before the pandemic while focusing on economic recovery for the hardest hit.Ĭlick here to review the Budget in Brief and the complete FY22 Budget Book.
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