COVID-19

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks during a public event Thursday in Rockford to tout the state's Summer Youth Employment Program and its impact on the Rockford Park District. (Credit: @GovPritzker on Twitter)

State unemployment sees slight decrease, remains high as virus cases level

July 17, 2020

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — Illinois saw 37,626 new unemployment claims for the week ending July 11, a decrease of more… Login to continue reading Login…

Illinois Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike announces the latest COVID-19 statistics during a news conference Wednesday in Chicago. (Credit: blueroomstream.com)

Pritzker unveils virus mitigation playbook in case of surge

July 16, 2020

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — As Illinois’ rolling COVID-19 test positivity rate saw a modest tick upward Wednesday, Gov. JB Pritzker… Login to continue reading Login…

Gov. JB Pritzker takes questions at a news conference Tuesday in Chicago after unveiling new grant funding for an apprenticeship program. He only vaguely answered questions about what would be needed to drive some facets of the state’s economy backward in its reopening effort. (Credit: Illinois.gov)

Pritzker ‘watching numbers very, very closely,’ but vague on potential to roll back reopening

July 15, 2020

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday gave only vague answers to reporters’ questions about potential future restrictions… Login to continue reading Login…

10th COVID-related death reported in Cass

July 13, 2020

Virginia- The Cass County Health Department has reported the 10th COVID-related death in the county. A 95-year-old female died Monday, July 13, in Virginia.… Login to continue reading Login…

The graph depicts the COVID-19 positivity rate of test results reported over a 24-hour period as reported by the Illinois Department of Public Health. (Credit: Jerry Nowicki of Capitol News Illinois)

COVID-19 positivity rate levels at 3 percent as state passes 2 million tested

July 13, 2020

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — The state’s COVID-19 test positivity rate remained at 3 percent Monday as the Illinois Department of… Login to continue reading Login…

Cass County COVID-19 cases by age groups.

Cass County reports 9th COVID-related death

July 11, 2020

The Cass County Health Department has reported the ninth COVID-related death in the county. A 92-year-old female, who was part of an outbreak at… Login to continue reading Login…

The graph shows the rolling, 7-day positivity rate for tests completed starting on June 1. Illinois Department of Public Health data was used to calculate the averages.

Record testing pushes daily COVID-19 count past 1,000 for first time since June 2

July 10, 2020

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — New Illinois COVID-19 cases topped 1,000 Thursday for the first time since June 2, but the… Login to continue reading Login…

Eighth COVID-related death reported in Cass

July 10, 2020

Virginia- The Cass County Health Department Thursday announced an eighth COVID-related death, a female in her 80s. This individual was a part of a… Login to continue reading Login…

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks to the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security Wednesday via videoconference. He laid out a wish list for what he would like to see from the federal government moving forward in response to COVID-19. (Credit: House.gov)

Pritzker lays out federal COVID-19 response wish list to congressional committee

July 9, 2020

By JERRY NOWICKI, Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — Testifying before the U.S. House Committee on Homeland Security Wednesday, Gov. JB Pritzker said he would… Login to continue reading Login…

Numbers keep rising in wake of COVID-19 outbreak

July 8, 2020

The after effects of the COVID-19 outbreak at a Cass County nursing home continue to be felt as the county’s positive case numbers continue to… Login to continue reading Login…