Scattered Severe Storms Possible On Wednesday
More Than 900,000 COVID-19 Tests Conducted in Illinois To Date
CHICAGO – Illinois reported 1,614 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, bringing the state’s total number of cases to 122,848. There were an additional 113 new deaths in the last day, with the total fatalities now more than 55,525. The state has conducted more than 900,000 COVID-19 tests to date, with the statewide positivity rate at 7%. On Tuesday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker also signed legislation that allows restaurants and bars in Illinois to sell cocktails for pickup and delivery. The cocktails must be in a sealed container, and cannot be delivered through a third party delivery app. – Lecia Bushak, Illinois Newsroom
Motorcyclist Charged With Hate Crime For Hitting Protesters
BLOOMINGTON — A central Illinois man is charged with hate crimes for allegedly riding his motorcycle into a protest rally in Bloomington and striking two people. Marshall R. Blanchard of Bloomington was being held Tuesday in the McLean County Jail in lieu of $40,000 bond. The 21-year-old Blanchard is also charged with aggravated battery and aggravated assault and misdemeanor battery. When the incident occurred Sunday, demonstrators were protesting the death of George Floyd, who died after a Minneapolis police officer pressed his knee into his neck for several minutes, even after he stopped moving and pleading for air. A woman was hospitalized with abdominal wounds and a man was treated for an arm injury. – Associated Press
Illinois Courts To Resume As COVID-19 Restrictions Lift
CARBONDALE — As COVID-19 restrictions are lifted in Illinois, an administrative order from Chief Judge will allow courts to resume all operations, including non-emergency hearings. Court personnel and visitors will be required to follow CDC guidelines when doing business at a courthouse. According to the Southern Illinoisan, an executive order signed last week by Chief Judge Nancy Rosenstengel details that if a judge finds that delaying felony pleas or sentencing cannot be pushed back without harm to the defendant, video and teleconferencing can be used instead. All civil and criminal trials will not be held until after August first. – Associated Press
