IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike opened by imploring Illinoisans to resist the temptation of large congregations, as the weather is expected to take a favorable turn tomorrow.

"If people congregate tomorrow, we will set the state back in the fight against COVID-19," she said.

She reported 1,006 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 for a total of 12,262 cases, and 33 deaths, bringing the state's total death toll to 307.

She also said the number of cases will be broken down by ZIP code on the IDPH website going forward. Zip codes with fewer than five cases will not be included for fear of identifying individual people.

Gov. Pritzker's comments today focused on the state's ongoing efforts to acquire more personal protective equipment for the state's health care workers. He called out the federal government's dissembling on the purpose of the strategic national stockpile and again pointed out that the shipments the government has sent to Illinois have been mere fractions of what the state has asked for.

"If we'd relied on the White House, our state and nearly every state in the U.S. would come up short," Pritzker said.

He explained his office, IEMA and IDPH have continued scouring the global supply chain looking for more PPE and managing its purchase and delivery at every stage.

Pritzker also spoke frankly about the disparity in health care outcomes, specifically the higher rate of COVID-19-related death in Illinois' black community. Laying the blame on years of disinvestment, He said ensuring that efforts to increase testing and hospital capacity must be felt equally in all communities.

The governor was asked about the mayor of Chicago getting her hair done and whether he had a haircut since the stay-at-home order. The governor said he has not had a haircut, feared he might look like a “hippie” and said he could end up having to consider using a “Flowbee.”

Asked about federal help for the IDES call centers, the governor said that was not an option. He said the state continues to work on improving service. Pritzker said one person can only take about 30 calls a day because of the complexity of questions involved. He said as many as 100,000 calls are coming in daily.

Asked about religious holidays and the desire of many to worship together, the governor urged people to embrace alternative, online options for their own safety and the safety and health of their families and communities.