The Spin: Coronavirus continues to spread in Illinois | Voters in Michigan, five other states vote today | A closer look at how Bill Conway’s dad’s bankrolling his campaign

Chicago Tribune (IL)

Illinois has eight new coronavirus cases, state officials said. That’s a total of 19 COVID-19 cases so far in the state, including the first on record outside Cook County.

While Illinois’ primary election is next Tuesday, voters in six states are casting their ballots today -- Idaho, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, North Dakota and Washington. Remember, the quest for the Democratic nomination is all about who gets the requisite 1,991 delegates -- with 125 of them, Michigan has the largest number to dole out today.

If you want to watch the results come in tonight, the Tribune has you covered.

And, the Democratic Cook County state’s attorney’s race is one of the hottest local contests on the ballot next week. It pits incumbent Kim Foxx against challengers Bill Conway, Bob Fioretti and Donna More. The Tribune takes an in-depth look at where Bill Conway’s getting his campaign money

Welcome to The Spin.

8 new cases of coronavirus in Illinois include first outside Cook County. State’s total now at 19.

As Dan Petrella reports, there are some new cases of COVID-19 in Illinois, including one woman in Kane County and a teen in McHenry County.

"The announcement comes the day after Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a statewide disaster proclamation, a move that allows Illinois to tap additional state and federal resources to combat the fast-spreading respiratory virus.

“The cases include a Kane County woman in her 60s and a McHenry County teen. Neither had a history of travel to areas affected by the illness or any connection with a known case of COVID-19.” There’s more here.

And, Robert McCoppin reports: McHenry County moves polling places out of four senior housing facilities due to coronavirus.

A loss in Michigan today could spell big trouble for Bernie Sanders. Can he catch Joe Biden?

The Tribune’s Bill Ruthhart has the latest from Michigan: "Four years ago, Michigan delivered Sanders a shocking win and helped him sustain his campaign run all the way to the Democratic National Convention, where Hillary Clinton eventually claimed the nomination.

"This time, Michigan’s primary comes at an even more critical crossroads for Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, as former Vice President Joe Biden holds a solid delegate lead, has assembled the backing of virtually all of his former presidential opponents and has the momentum of a series of strong wins from Super Tuesday at his back.

“A loss could mark the beginning of the end for Sanders, but a win in what will be a key November swing state would push back against Biden’s argument that he’s the best candidate to win Rust Belt states critical to defeating Republican President Donald Trump.” Read the rest here.

Joe Biden, Bernie Sanders abruptly cancel campaign events in Ohio amid coronavirus concerns. Click here for more.

ICYMI: Democrats’ path to the White House runs through places like Michigan’s Macomb County, where a Republican mayor has ditched Donald Trump for Joe Biden. Read Ruthhart’s story here.

Mendoza endorses Biden: Illinois Comptroller Susana Mendoza has endorsed Joe Biden’s bid for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, giving the former vice president another high-profile local backer ahead of the state’s March 17 primary. Find the rest of Gregory Pratt’s story here. We have a running list of endorsements here.

General Assembly departures make way for competitive primaries in Chicago, the suburbs

When then-Senate President John Cullerton announced his retirement last year, his departure set off a domino effect that’s still unfolding. His seat went to Sara Feigenholtz, a longtime House representative whose move to the Senate created a new vacancy.

As Dan Petrella and Jamie Munks report here, “There are contested primaries for 29 of the 118 seats in the House; and in eight of the 21 state Senate districts up for election this year.”

Bill Conway’s billionaire father is bankrolling his state’s attorney bid. His fortune came from a firm that invested in weapons manufacturers and nursing homes accused of neglecting patients.

If you’ve been following the Democratic primary for Cook County state’s attorney, today’s story from the Tribune’s David Heinzmann, Dan Hinkel and Lolly Bowean is a must-read. Here’s a taste:

"Democrat Bill Conway’s biggest advantage in the Cook County state’s attorney race is also proving to be his largest political liability.

"The 41-year-old Chicago lawyer has been able to raise his profile and attack incumbent Kim Foxx on the strength of $10.5 million in campaign cash supplied by his billionaire father, who amassed one of the biggest fortunes ever made in private equity.

"But Conway’s opponents have seized on the source of that money, attempting to portray him as a fake progressive whose father is trying to buy him a powerful office. They note that the Carlyle Group, co-founded by Bill Conway Jr., has stakes in the military-industrial complex.

“While the defense contracts have gotten attention in the race, another investment with broad implications has gone unnoticed. For a decade, Carlyle owned the for-profit nursing home chain HCR ManorCare as it racked up allegations that it neglected elderly patients, committed Medicare fraud and ultimately drove the company into bankruptcy.” Read the rest here.

From Lolly Bowean: Bill Conway’s new campaign ad attacks State’s Attorney Kim Foxx on Jussie Smollett, using her own words against her. Pro top: If you’re listening at work, you might want to use your headphones. Story here.

Odds & Ends

Political operative pleads not guilty in alleged scheme to bribe state Sen. Martin Sandoval. Find Jason Meisner’s story here.

Chicago police civilian oversight plan stalls in committee amid ongoing negotiations between activists, mayor’s office. John Byrne has the story.

Sending unwanted explicit photos from phone to phone would be criminalized under Chicago City Council plan. Read Byrne’s story here.

After a height chop, Related Midwest presenting two-tower plan for former Chicago Spire site tonight. Read Ryan Ori’s piece here.

Thanks for reading The Spin, the Tribune’s politics newsletter. Sign up here to have it delivered to your inbox weekday afternoons. Have a tip? Email host Lisa Donovan at ldonovan@chicagotribune.com.

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