The governor opened his press conference today assuring Illinoisans that measures are being taken to address heavy flooding in some areas of the state and that national guardsmen responding to it are following heightened public health protocols while they do so.

The governor also voiced his support for vote by mail as he took reporter questions. Responding to questions about why denying funds to local governments that flout the Stay at Home Order is different than denying funds to states who enact vote by mail (as the president has threatened), Pritzker leveled criticism at the White House.

"There's an awfully big difference. The president is threatening to take away funds from states that are doing a thing that's legal," Pritzker said, while his own action is leveled at local governments that break the law. "I think it's important for people to get access to the ballot. The president doesn't want that. I do."

The governor also announced $1.3 million in additional CARES Act funding for domestic violence assistance and that $6 million from the COVID-19 Response Fund has been released to 31 local nonprofits.

IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike reported 2,268 additional confirmed COVID-19 cases, bringing the state's total to 102,686 confirmed cases. There were 87 additional deaths, bringing the total death toll to 4,607.

• Other questions from the press:
  Pritzker responded to concerns over whether the unavailability of child care would allow somebody to claim unemployment as businesses reopen by saying the state's desire is not to in any way limit child care. "We need much more child care. We're working with child care providers. I am motivated because I know as we get people back to work, they need more child care."
• Contact tracing: Asked why it's still important in light of COVID's current presence, Pritzker said with thousands of new cases a day, it's crucial, especially in light of the possibility of a fall surge of the disease. On the availability of contact tracing apps through Apple and Google, he said nothing the state will do in regard to them will violate the state's biometric laws.
• The governor said he will work with the legislature to ensure adequate funding to IDES and that it goes toward upgrading the agency's infrastructure and staff in light of the persistent unemployment situation now.
• On federal unemployment benefits, Pritzker said he's concerned it's not enough. "I'm concerned that the typical number of weeks allowed won't be enough."
• On the relatively flat state budget: Citing the increase in services that Illinoisans now need in light of the pandemic, "you can't say as a state 'well, we're just not going to help people.'"
• On the work comp rule which essentially reintroduces his rule which was struck down: "I'm glad that both sides were able to work on getting something done, because that's ultimately the best solution of all."
• On removing Darren Bailey's court case to federal case: "They felt there were federal issues at hand," he said, indicating the attorney general's decision on the matter.