illinois

Metro East region nears 8 percent positivity rate that is ‘failsafe’ for state action

July 28, 2020

By JERRY NOWICK Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Department of Public Health announced another 1,076 confirmed cases of COVID-19 in Illinois on… Login to continue reading Login…

Sen. Jil Tracy, R-Quincy, urges Illinoisans to wear a face covering to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. She spoke at a news conference Monday at the Adams County Health Department in Quincy with Gov. JB Pritzker to urge caution in dealing with the virus. (Credit: illinois.gov

State’s COVID-19 positivity rate continues to rise

July 28, 2020

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois SRINGFIELD — Illinois’ seven-day rolling positivity rate for COVID-19 tests continued to rise through the weekend, reaching 3.8 percent… 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. (Credit: Jerry Nowicki of Capitol News Illinois)

Republicans continue to pressure employment security department amid new fraud claims

July 25, 2020

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — Republicans on Friday continued to pressure the Illinois Department of Employment Security to resolve issues stemming… Login to continue reading Login…

State’s COVID-19 positivity rate moves up again as 1,624 new cases confirmed

July 23, 2020

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — For the fourth straight day, the rolling seven-day COVID-19 positivity rate in Illinois is on the… Login to continue reading Login…

Gov. JB Pritzker expresses concern over the rising number of COVID-19 cases and an increase in the rate of positive test results in recent days during a news conference Wednesday in Chicago. (Credit: blueroomstream.com)

State COVID-19 positivity rate increases for third straight day

July 22, 2020

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD — The state’s rolling COVID-19 positivity rate ticked upward Wednesday for the third straight day as the… Login to continue reading Login…

Juvenile detention facility, mental health center see COVID-19 outbreaks

July 22, 2020

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – A juvenile detention facility and two mental health centers in Illinois each reported outbreaks of COVID-19… Login to continue reading Login…

Gov. JB Pritzker speaks Monday during a press event in Peoria. The governor on Monday voiced his support for efforts by the mayors in Springfield and Chicago to enact policies aimed at limiting the spread of COVID-19 at bars. (Credit: blueroomstream.com)

Pritzker backs local actions aimed at slowing COVID-19 spread at bars

July 21, 2020

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday gave support to a pair of Illinois mayors who recently enacted… Login to continue reading Login…

The graph shows the number of COVID-19 tests completed each day (blue), next to the number of positive cases those tests yield (red), according to the Illinois Department of Public Health. (Credit: Jerry Nowicki of Capitol News Illinois)

1,348 new confirmed COVID-19 cases in Illinois on 2nd straight day of more than 40,000 tests

July 18, 2020

By JERRY NOWICKI Capitol News Illinois SPRINGFIELD – The state announced another 1,384 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 Friday on its second straight day… Login to continue reading Login…

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…