New Restrictions Begin In Champaign-Urbana Due To Rising COVID-19 Rates
CHAMPAIGN – From schools to restaurants to hospitals, restrictions are once again underway around Champaign County as COVID-19 cases rise. Friday will be the last day for in-person classes at Champaign Unit 4 Schools and Urbana School District 116. Both districts are switching to remote instruction only, starting Monday. At a Thursday news conference, Champaign-Urbana […]
Where Can You Get Tested for COVID-19 In Central Illinois?
For health questions about COVID-19, call the Illinois Department of Public Health hotline at 1-800-889-3931 or email dph.sick@illinois.gov. IDPH has also compiled a list of testing sites across the state, including information on testing eligibility and contact information. Public testing sites offer free testing regardless of insurance, with no need for a doctor’s referral. Illinois […]
Illinois Urges Residents To Stay Home For 3 Weeks
Illinois residents are being urged to stay at home as much as possible for at least the next three weeks as the second wave of COVID-19 outbreaks…
‘This Is Our Surge’: Hospital System Data Suggests Coronavirus Is Taking Off In Central Illinois
DECATUR – Since March, 700 people in central Illinois have been hospitalized for COVID-19 across Memorial Health System’s five hospitals. Of those patients, 124 have died. In addition to the steady rise in COVID-19 hospitalizations since mid-July, hospital leaders are concerned that the seven-day COVID-19 test positivity rate across Memorial’s hospitals has risen to 26.8% […]
23 Counties And Counting: Downstate Separation Referendum Wins Favor In November Election
URBANA – One result of the November election in Illinois was 20 downstate counties passing an advisory referendum in support of forming their own state that leaves Chicago and Cook County behind. That makes a total of 23 counties where separation referendums have passed this year. Colin Cliburn organized the ballot questions, working under the […]
Why The Flu Shot Is Important — And Where To Get One In East-Central Illinois
URBANA – Public health officials say mask-wearing, social distancing — and getting an influenza vaccine — are things everyone can do to prevent hospitals from getting overwhelmed this flu season. Officials are asking Americans to get the flu shot to help avoid a “twindemic” caused by a combination of COVID-19 and the seasonal flu. Linda […]
Illinois Records Highest COVID-19 Death Count Since May
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health reported Wednesday that 145 people in the state had died of COVID-19 over the previous 24 hours, the highest single-day death toll since the peak of the first wave of the pandemic in May, while overall hospital usage in the state reached its highest level. Those numbers […]
Pryde: Don’t Give In To ‘Pandemic Prevention Fatigue’
CHAMPAIGN — As the number of COVID-19 cases set a new state record Wednesday, Champaign County also reported a big increase in the number of people testing positive for the virus. The 305 new cases actually occurred over a couple of days. And administrator Julie Pryde with the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District said there were […]
Lawmakers, AG Seek Tougher Decertification Standards For Law Enforcement
SPRINGFIELD — Lawmakers, in tandem with Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul, are looking to bolster the state’s system of certifying and decertifying law enforcement professionals. At a joint hearing of the state Senate Criminal Justice Committee and Special Committee on Public Safety Tuesday Raoul testified to lawmakers that the current metric for decertifying members of […]
IHSA Invites State Officials To ‘Collaborate’ On Basketball Plans; Many Schools Opt Out
The Illinois High School Association has invited Gov. JB Pritzker’s office and representatives from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) to…