By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois     SPRINGFIELD – In the wake of violence, looting and arson that gripped the city of Chicago over the weekend, Gov. JB Pritzker said Sunday he has deployed 375 Illinois National Guard soldiers to aid the city’s police department and other first responders in…

By CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS     SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 2,805 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 and 121 additional deaths related to the novel coronavirus over two days this weekend.     The percentage of tests with positive results continues to decline, however,…

By REBECCA ANZEL Capitol News Illinois     SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker announced Friday, the first day Illinois’ economy operated under more relaxed restrictions, his stay-at-home order is replaced by one reflective of “our new, more open reality.”     Small businesses statewide opened their…

    Virginia- The Illinois Department of Public Health on Friday confirmed three new cases of COVID-19 in Cass County.  New cases include a female in her 30s, a female in her 50s, and a female in her 70s. Two of the new cases are isolated at home, while the third is currently hospitalized.     The…

By PETER HANCOCK Capitol News Illinois     SPRINGFIELD – People in Illinois will be allowed to attend worship services starting this weekend without fear of prosecution as the state enters Phase 3 of Gov. JB Pritzker’s “Restore Illinois” reopening plan.     Pritzker made the announcement during his…

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois     The state health department filed emergency rules Thursday mandating long-term care facilities to develop testing plans to better protect residents and ensure they are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic appropriately.     “The overwhelming majority of…

    Virginia- The Illinois Department of Public Health on Thursday confirmed one new case of COVID-19 in Cass County.  The patient is a male in his 30s who is currently isolated at home.     Cass County’s overall COVID-19 case count is now at 69.  The total number of recovered remains at 64. There…

May 29, 2020 By Ethan McIntyre     One of my favorite pastimes is playing Dungeons & Dragons with friends. I got into the game about a decade ago, back when it was in its fourth edition. As anyone who was rolling dice at the time can tell you, Fourth Edition (or 4e, as it’s more commonly…

    Karen Sue Cox, 66, of Beardstown passed away Sunday, May 24, 2020, at her home.     She was born April 27, 1954, in Beardstown, the daughter of Lee Robert and Glenna Black Lyles. She married Thomas Cox in October of 1979 in Peoria and he survives.     She is also survived by one son, Tom Cox,…

April 17, 2020 By Ethan McIntyre     One thing you should know about me: I am a massive Star Wars fan. I don’t just love the movies; I follow the expanded universe religiously. I read the comics and novels, I play the video games, and of course, I watch the television shows.     Even if you’re not…