Tests Prioritized As Virus Deaths In Illinois Pass 1,000
CHICAGO — Illinois has reported the deadliest 24 hours so far in the state and officials say new supplies would allow for more testing, which is essential for stopping the spread of the virus. Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday said 125 people had died in the state since Wednesday afternoon, bringing the statewide total to 1,072. Cases also continued to climb, with 1,140 new results bringing the statewide total to 25,733. The grim update followed reports that 22 residents and one staff members at a nursing home in Joliet had died of of the coronavirus. Symphony of Joliet had reported a total of three deaths as recently as last week. – Associated Press
7 Midwest States To Partner On Reopening The Economy
LANSING, Mich. — Seven Midwestern governors announced Thursday that they will coordinate on reopening their state economies, after similar pacts were made earlier this week in the Northeast and on the West Coast. Thursday’s announcement covers Michigan, Ohio, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Illinois, Indiana and Kentucky. The governors say they will work with experts and take a “fact-based, data-driven approach to reopening our economy in a way that protects families from the spread of COVID-19.” All together, the 17 states covered by the three pacts are home to nearly half of the country’s population. – Associated Press
Death Threat Against Leaders’ Daughter Under Investigation
CHAMPAIGN – State Representative Carol Ammons and her husband, Champaign County Clerk Aaron Ammons, say a threat against their daughter is under investigation. The threat came in an anonymous hand-written letter delivered to the county clerk’s office on Monday. In it, the writer threatens to kill daughter Titianna Ammons if Carol Ammons succeeds in her bid to become chair of the Democratic Party in Champaign County. Titianna Ammons is running for a Champaign County Board seat in the November election. In a statement, Aaron and Carol Ammons say they’re taking the threat to their daughter’s life seriously. They ask anyone with information about the threat to contact the Champaign County Sheriff’s office, which is investigating the matter. – Jim Meadows, Illinois Newsroom
Man Gets 5-Year Sentence For Pouring Corrosive Liquid On Dog
EDWARDSVILLE — A southern Illinois man has been sentenced to five years in prison after pleading guilty to animal torture and aggravated animal cruelty for his attack on a dog. The Madison County state’s attorney’s office says 45-year-old Rodney W. Johnson of Granite City on Thursday admitted to spraying a dog with a corrosive liquid that caused the loss of skin over a large portion of the 10-year-old Maltese mix’s body. The dog beat the odds against his survival, however he lost all his hair in the February incident. Assistant Madison County State’s Attorney Chad Loughrey says Johnson became a suspect because he was living with the dog’s owner. – Associated Press
Illinois’ Dosunmu Declares For NBA Draft
CHAMPAIGN — Illinois star Ayo Dosunmu declared for the NBA draft in a video posted to his Twitter account on Wednesday. A first-team, all-Big Ten guard, Dosunmu wrote in the video he is “100% locked in” and plans to forgo his final two years of eligibility. He said he does not have an agent, though players can now hire one and withdraw as long as they cut ties. The NCAA deadline is June 3, with the draft scheduled for June 25. Dosunmu averaged 16.6 points — fifth in the conference — and shot 48.4 percent. The Illini went 21-10 overall and 13-7 in Big Ten play in coach Brad Underwood’s third season and were in line for their first NCAA Tournament appearance since 2013 when the season got shut down because of the COVID-19 pandemic. – Associated Press
