News Around Illinois Cover

News Around Illinois – March 31, 2020

Illinois Confirmed COVID-19 Cases Top 5,000 CHAMPAIGN – On Monday, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported 461 new cases of the coronavirus disease, COVID-19, bringing the state’s total so far to 5,057. In addition, the death toll in Illinois stands at 75. For health questions about COVID-19, call the hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email…

‘It’s Extremely Frustrating’: More Illinois Hospitals Testing On Site, But Tests Still Limited

‘It’s Extremely Frustrating’: More Illinois Hospitals Testing On Site, But Tests Still Limited

URBANA – Carle Foundation Hospital in Urbana has joined a growing number of Illinois hospitals doing on-site testing for COVID-19.  But testing at Carle, like many other hospitals, will remain limited to patients who qualify based on criteria set by state health officials. In mid-March, those criteria were broadened to include hospitalized patients with severe…

COVID-19 Effects On Arts Community ‘Unprecedented’
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COVID-19 Effects On Arts Community ‘Unprecedented’

The arts community has been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 outbreak. Illinois Newsroom’s Brian Moline recently spoke with Kelly White, Executive Director of 40 North, the Champaign County Arts Council. Brian Moline discusses COVID-19’s impact on the Champaign County arts community with Kelly White. White described just how the arts community in Champaign County…

Illinois School Closures Spotlight Opportunity Gap For Poor Students
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Illinois School Closures Spotlight Opportunity Gap For Poor Students

About half of Gladys Marquez’s students can’t access the internet at home. Marquez teaches English language learners at Dwight Eisenhower High School in Blue Island on Chicago’s south side. The school serves predominantly students of color from low-income backgrounds.  Marquez says her students are fortunate to attend a school district that provides an iPad to…

YMCA, Other Child Care Providers Re-Open For Health Staff, ‘Essential Workers’

YMCA, Other Child Care Providers Re-Open For Health Staff, ‘Essential Workers’

UPDATE on April 8, 2020: Child care at the Stephens Family YMCA will be expanded to all essential workers identified by the state. To register and for a complete list of occupations that qualify, contact Cody Flowers at cody@ccymca.net. Include your occupation and place of employment in your initial email to Cody. CHAMPAIGN – The Stephens…