Coronavirus Cases Top 30,000
CHICAGO – On Sunday, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported the number of COVID-19 cases has grown to 30,357. The death toll stands at 1,290. – Reginald Hardwick, Illinois Newsroom
Nine Residents Dead From COVID-19 At Fair Havens In Decatur
DECATUR — Nine residents at the Fair Havens Senior Living facility in Decatur have died after contracting COVID-19. So far, all COVID-19 related deaths in Macon county have been residents at the long-term care facility. The latest casualties from the virus are a woman in her 90s and another woman in her 70s, according to the Macon County Health Department. Read the full story here. – Lee Gaines, Illinois Newsroom
Northern Illinois Mayors Ask Governor To Allow Reopening
ROCKFORD — Five northern Illinois mayors are asking Gov. J.B. Pritzker for the authority to reopen businesses next month urging “common sense modifications” to a statewide stay-at-home order amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Rockford Register Star reports the mayors say thousands of employees in the restaurant, fitness, salon and childcare industries are being unnecessarily harmed because they’re not considered essential workers. They say the need for financial assistance has exceeded available state and federal resources. Pritzker’s order runs until April 30. He says he’s evaluating if an extension is needed, as other states have done. – Associated Press
Crews Tackle $20M Expansion Of Northwest Illinois Hospital
MORRISON — Crews are continuing work on a $20.5 million expansion of a community hospital in northwest Illinois during the coronavirus pandemic. Sauk Valley Media reports Morrison Community Hospital plans to add or renovate 80,000 square feet of space, including five emergency room bays and another operating room. Hospital Marketing Director Mick Welding says crews were already wearing protective equipment to do their jobs and there are barriers in place to separate employees and patients, so no changes were needed amid the pandemic. The project is expected to be finished in 2021. – Associated Press
