Chicago Limits Downtown Access After Night Of Tense Protests
CHICAGO — Chicago officials are taking extraordinary steps to control downtown access in the hopes of preventing further chaos after a night of tense protests
Minnesota To Deploy Record Guard Force To Contain Unrest Over Death Of George Floyd
Gov. Tim Walz is fully mobilizing the state’s National Guard — “an action that has never been taken in [the guard’s] 164-year history” — to prepare for a fifth night of protests.
Pritzker Responds To Minnesota Protests; Says Trump Is A Racist
CHICAGO – During his daily COVID-19 briefing, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker responded to protests in Minnesota over the killing of a black man by a
Pritzker’s Daily COVID-19 Address
WATCH LIVE: The Pritzker administration is holding their Monday – Friday press briefing on COVID-19 in Illinois at 2:30 pm. The questions we receive from
Cities Issue Outdoor Seating Guidelines For Restaurants As Illinois Enters ‘Phase Three’
As the state of Illinois begins allowing outdoor dining at restaurants Friday, cities are issuing guidance on how restaurants can expand their available outdoor seating.
The Pandemic On Main Street: As State Restrictions Relax, Local Leaders Face Tough Choices
Editor’s Note: The Institute of Government and Public Affairs assembled a task force of interdisciplinary faculty experts from all three universities in…
As Illinois Enters ‘Phase Three,’ C-U Officials Expect More Outbreaks Will Occur
CHAMPAIGN – As certain businesses reopen and people begin socializing in small groups during Phase Three of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan, local public
‘There Will Be Deaths’: U Of I Faculty Group Opposes Reopening Campus In The Fall
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to clarify the Campus Faculty Association’s role at the University of Illinois. A previous version of this article
Rep. Davis Pushes ‘Compromise Bill’ On Health Insurance After Job Loss
U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis said he wants Congress to do more to help those who have lost their job afford health insurance through COBRA—just not as part of…
Ask The Newsroom: Child Care, Fitness And Gatherings During ‘Phase Three,’ SNAP Benefits, DMV Facilities
The Illinois Newsroom team is answering questions from listeners to navigate this unprecedented time. Have a question you want answered? Ask here. In today’s edition
More Illinois State Parks Reopening Starting May 29th
State parks and most other sites managed by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources will reopen to the public starting Friday, May 29th. At the…
Fighting The Flood And COVID-19 At The Same Time
MEREDOSIA – Flooding is beginning to feel like an annual event in some areas along the Illinois River. The governor and head of the Illinois
Pritzker Announces East St. Louis Contact Tracing Partnership, Addresses Casino Reopening
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a health organization in East St. Louis will lend its help to the state’s COVID-19 contact tracing initiative….
COVID-19 Mask Makers Are Part Of A Larger History
One of the enduring symbols of the COVID-19 crisis is the homemade mask. Around the country people have been sewing cloth masks, for healthcare workers,…
COVID-19 Impact In Both Legislation And Politics at Statehouse.
COVID-19 was both in the forefront and in the background during the abbreviated spring legislative session that Illinois lawmakers wrapped over the…
Pandemic Causing Slowdown For Illinois’ Solar Energy Industry
Tony Martin and his wife moved back to their hometown of Teutopolis, Illinois, about a year ago to start a small solar company just as
Lawsuit: Illinois Prisons Are Failing To Protect Inmates From COVID-19
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 7:54 p.m. on May 26 to include comments from the Illinois Department of Corrections. An amended lawsuit filed
State Lawmakers Green-Light Latest State Budget. Read The Details.
In the midst of a global pandemic, despite social distancing, and all while wearing face masks, Illinois state lawmakers approved a new state budget…
Driven By Climate Change, Heavy Precipitation Brings Flood Risk To Illinois
Last year, Illinois saw record-breaking flooding across most of the state, and this spring’s recent heavy precipitation is causing communities near the Illinois River to
Pritzker Issues Rules As Illinois Prepares For Reopening
CHICAGO — Barbers and their customers will have to wear face masks. Restaurants will be able to serve diners outdoors only, with parties no larger
Pandemic Puts Damper On Memorial Day Ceremonies
URBANA — The observance of Memorial Day is happening in Illinois this year with far fewer ceremonies than usual. The coronavirus outbreak has put a
Illinois House Passes Budget Relying On Federal Funding
SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois House passed a $40 billion state budget late Saturday that relies heavily on federal funding. The Chicago Tribune reported the spending plan for
From Camping To Dining Out: Here’s How Experts Rate The Risks Of 14 Summer Activities
The weather is warming up and public spaces are starting to reopen. How do you decide what’s safe to do? We have guidance to help you compare and evaluate the risks.
Latest From Springfield: Vote-By-Mail Expansion, Budget Proposal & More
Vote-By-Mail Expansion Approved In Senate SPRINGFIELD — A plan to expand mail-in voting because of the COVID-19 pandemic is close to approval by the governor
State Lawmakers Approve Mail Voting Measure, Gov. Says He’ll Sign It
Expanded voting-by-mail is coming to Illinois. Governor J.B. Pritzker said Friday he will sign the expanded voting measure into law.
University of Illinois Expecting $167M Pandemic Impact
URBANA — The University of Illinois System expects to sustain a financial hit of about $167 million this fiscal year because of the coronavirus pandemic
Struggling Rural Grocery Stores Get A Pandemic-Driven Boost
John Paul Coonrod usually recognizes most of his customers. Lately, though, he says there have been a lot of unfamiliar faces at Great Scott! Community…
Illinois Schools Receive Federal Stimulus Aid, Questions Remain On How Money Gets To Private Schools
Illinois school districts will receive more than half a billion dollars in federal stimulus funds as a result of the CARES Act. School districts across
Wash U Leads Global Study To Test If Malaria Drug Blocks Coronavirus
Washington University researchers are launching an international study to test whether the drug chloroquine can prevent coronavirus infection….
Why Are Locations Of 22 COVID-19 Outbreaks Not Disclosed In Champaign County?
CHAMPAIGN – When pressed by reporters during a news briefing earlier this month, Governor J.B. Pritzker said he thinks local public health departments should inform
New Site Provides Local Businesses Guidance On How To Safely Reopen
CHAMPAIGN – A group of local organizations and municipalities has launched a new online resource — www.ChampaignCountySafe.org — to help Champaign County businesses as they
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
U of I Bans ‘Intimate’ Faculty-Undergraduate Student Relationships
The University of Illinois Board of Trustees approved changes to its policies on hiring as well as faculty and staff relationships with students and…
Educators Donate $50,000 Worth Of Hand Sanitizer, Soap To Illinois Prisons. Inmates Wonder Where It Went.
Joseph Horton is overwhelmed and stressed because he’s struggling to keep himself and his cell clean. Horton is incarcerated at Menard Correctional Center in southern
COVID-19 Crisis Puts Pressure On Farmers’ Mental Health
Studies have found the rates of mental illness and suicide are higher for farmers . They work long hours, have limited social contact and are at the…
House Rep. Ejected For Face Mask Rule-Breaking, State Lawmakers Greeted By Protests
A lawmaker who portrays himself as an outsider found himself on the outside Tuesday. A group of protestors, meanwhile, made their voices heard as state…
Gov. Pritzker Announces New Modifications To Phase 3 Of Restore Illinois Plan
SPRINGFIELD – Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced new modifications to Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan Wednesday that will allow more activity and businesses to
Some Doctors Struggle With Guilt Amid COVID-19 Crisis
About 20 or so women were gathered for a late afternoon video conference. Some had glasses of wine, or cups of coffee. You could see pets in a few…
Illinois Students Fear Missing Out On College Experience As Universities Brace For Losses
URBANA – Dennis Austin is frustrated. Austin, 26, transferred to the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign earlier this year. He has kidney disease and high
Statewide Panel Looking At Inflammatory Syndrome Linked To COVID-19 In Children
Illinois health officials suspect a handful of children in the Chicago region have a syndrome connected to COVID-19, according to the Illinois…
Ask The Newsroom: Preguntas y Respuestas Sobre La COVID-19 Con Médicos y Representantes Locales De Salud Pública
This story was originally published in English and was translated by Marcela Renna through a partnership with America Amplified. If you have any questions or concerns
U Of I Medical Student Writes Children’s Book About Pandemic
We hear countless stories about COVID-19 and the health workers fighting the disease on the front lines every day, but very few of those stories
Ask The Newsroom: COVID-19 Q&A With Local Public Health Officials And Medical Doctors
A Spanish translation of this story is available here. WILL and Illinois Newsroom hosted a “COVID-19 Q&A” Facebook Live discussion on Thursday, May 14, which
C-U Public Libraries Plan For Day They Can Welcome Back Public
The public hasn’t been allowed in Illinois’ public libraries for about two months, due to fears of spreading the coronavirus. Contact with public libraries has
Civil Rights Leaders Condemn Antisemitic Speech At ‘Reopen Illinois’ Rallies
Illinois civil rights leaders say they’re deeply concerned about displays of antisemitism at this past weekend’s protests against Governor J.B. Pritzker…
Expanded Illinois Contact Tracing Program Takes Shape, Pritzker Defends Executive Order Enforcement
Two county health departments are trialing a new “tech-based” approach to COVID-19 contact tracing. Meanwhile, Governor J.B. Pritzker Monday defended…
Free COVID-19 Testing Offered At Champaign Mall
CHAMPAIGN – A new drive-through COVID-19 testing site opens Tuesday at the Market Place mall in Champaign. Officials say the state-supported site supplements local testing
GOP: Graduated Tax ‘Cash Grab’ Will Stifle Pandemic Recovery
SPRINGFIELD — Illinois Republicans are demanding a vote in the General Assembly on removing from the fall ballot a proposed graduated income tax structure, saying
Illinois Supreme Court Disbars Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich
CHICAGO — Disgraced former Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has been officially disbarred. The Illinois Supreme Court announced on Monday that it revoked Blagojevich’s law license.
Urbana Parks Plan ‘Charity Harvest’ To Control Goose Population
URBANA – In an effort to manage the growing goose population on its properties, the Urbana Park District is planning to remove geese from Crystal
‘Restore HOI’ Regional Reopening Plan Ready In 7 To 10 Days, Officials Say
Peoria officials said Friday they’ll be ready to implement their regional phased reopening plan in the next week or so.
COVID-19 Testing Widely Expanded
CHICAGO – Gov. J.B. Pritzker says the state is expanding testing to all frontline and essential workers, including those in health care and first responders.
Higher Ed Planning How To Best Open Campuses In Fall
Colleges and universities in Illinois want their campuses to be open to students in the fall, after classes were forced online in March due to COVID-19….
Central Illinois On Track To Reach Phase 3 Of Re-Opening Plan In A Few Weeks, Officials Say
URBANA – As Illinois inches towards phased re-opening, Champaign-Urbana officials are preparing plans to re-open Champaign county as well. Urbana Mayor Diane Marlin says the
Contact Tracing Apps May Soon Be Coming To A Phone Near You. What’s At Stake For Illinoisans?
Illinois wants hundreds to potentially thousands of contact tracing workers trained and ready to start tracking the spread of the new coronavirus by the…
Child Vaccinations Drop As Parents Fear COVID-19 — And A Mysterious Illness
Parents fear exposing their kids to COVID-19. But doctors say missing vaccinations is a bigger risk to kids’ health.
Republicans Ask For Modifications To Regional Plan, Say Governor Should Not Withhold Aid From FEMA
A group of downstate Illinois lawmakers are calling again for an alternative plan to reopen the state’s economy. Those lawmakers said since economic and…
Ask The Newsroom: Restore Illinois Explained, Dental Care Reopening And More
The Illinois Newsroom team is answering questions from listeners to navigate this unprecedented time. Have a question you want answered? Ask here. In today’s edition
Already Struggling Rural Hospitals Now Deal With Coronavirus Challenges
Rural hospitals have been planning for the arrival of the coronavirus, but the preparations for a virus that has not yet come are putting some
In Rural Illinois, Hospitals Still Fear COVID-19 Outbreaks
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, some of the biggest outbreaks have been concentrated in urban areas, like New York City and Chicago. But rural…