At Least 36 Students Test Positive For Virus After Camps
LAKE ZURICH, Ill. (AP) — At least three dozen high school students in northern Illinois have tested positive for the COVID-19 virus after some attending summer sports camps showed symptoms of the disease. Investigations and contact tracing of the infections are tied to the camps held last week at Lake Zurich High School and multiple prior social gatherings, according to Lake County health officials. – Associated Press
ISU Student-Athletes Step Into Racial Justice Conversation
Hundreds of Illinois State University student-athletes huddled this week to discuss the biggest issues of our day—race, justice, and what they stand for. More than 250 student-athletes joined a Zoom forum Monday night, organized by the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC). It was in response to the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis police custody and subsequent Black Lives Matter protests. They talked about a lot—from microaggressions students of color have felt on ISU’s campus, to what they think about kneeling during the National Anthem. SAAC wanted to provide a space to discuss issues that crossed among sports, gender, and race. – Ryan Denham – WGLT
Twitter Hack Response Takes Out Weather Service Account During Tornado Scare
The National Weather Service’s Central Illinois office appeared to lose access to its Twitter account Wednesday during several hours of severe weather. Like many authoritative or official accounts, the @NWSLincolnIL account is verified—signified by that iconic blue check mark. It has over 17,000 followers. Twitter temporarily restricted access to verified accounts Wednesday night following a large-scale and coordinated cryptocurrency hack. That unprecedented step came after the Twitter accounts of some of the richest and most famous people on the social media platform were attacked. The @NWSLincolnIL account itself was not hacked. – Ryan Denham – WGLT
Normal FD Gets 5th COVID-19 Positive; County Adds 4 Cases
A fifth Normal firefighter has tested positive for COVID-19 as McLean County health officials announced four new coronavirus cases on Wednesday. The firefighter was part of a group of 15 the town placed under quarantine after a co-coworker contracted the virus while off duty, said City Manager Pam Reece. Three others later tested positive. “Since he was already in quarantine, there was no risk of any additional exposures related to his case,” said Normal Fire Department Public Information Officer Matt Swaney. Swaney added all the infected firefighters are showing symptoms and remain quarantined at home. He said none has required medical intervention or hospitalization. – Eric Stock – WGLT
Chicago Police Aren’t Helping ICE Detain Immigrants, Report Says
In the last three months, federal immigration agents asked the Chicago Police Department to help detain immigrants 14 times. But CPD refused each time, citing the city’s sanctuary ordinance, according to a report obtained by WBEZ. “CPD received 14 such requests for assistance, and did not transfer any individual into a federal agency’s custody,” according to the report sent to Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Joe Ferguson, the city’s inspector general. “Being an immigrant is not a crime. Chicago stands with its immigrant community, especially in the face of politicized immigration enforcement.” – María Inés Zamudio – WBEZ
