Where Can You Get Your COVID-19 Vaccine In Central Illinois?
Updated April 11, 8:30 p.m. This is an updated post on which Illinoisans can receive the COVID-19 vaccine, when and where. Illinois has started its newest vaccination phase covering essential workers and residents ages 65 and older. COVID-19 vaccine and appointment availability: coronavirus.illinois.gov Illinois COVID-19 vaccine hotline: 833-621-1284 WHO CAN BE VACCINATED? December 15, 2020: Healthcare workers […]
Ballot Drop Boxes Reopen In Champaign County
URBANA – Champaign County voters can once again use election drop boxes to send in their mail-in ballots for Tuesday’s local elections. The seven drop boxes in Champaign and Urbana were used during the November election. But local election officials say there was no state law authorizing their use in other elections. That changed last […]
217 Today — March 26, 2021
Friday, March 26, 2021 Today’s headlines: More than two-thirds of staff at Illinois prisons rejected their chance at getting the COVID-19 vaccine. A bill state legislators say would expand voting rights is on its way to the governor after passing the Senate. It would increase vote by mail options and allow curbside voting. Larger cities in Illinois […]
COVID-19 Came To Champaign County One Year Ago
URBANA – Champaign County has been living with COVID-19 for one year. Sunday, March 15, 2020, was the day when the first COVID-19 case was announced in Champaign County. The news turned the coronavirus from a headline for county residents, to an eminent danger that has yet to let up. An effort was made to […]
Gov. J.B. Pritzker Tours Champaign Vaccination Site, Praises Local Partnerships
CHAMPAIGN – Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker visited the vaccination site located at the I Hotel and Conference Center in Champaign on Wednesday. During a press briefing following a tour led by Champaign-Urbana Public Health administrator Julie Pryde, Pritzker praised Champaign County for leading the way in building local partnerships to get the vaccine out to […]
Changes Promised After Champaign County Animal Control Mistakenly Euthanizes Dog
URBANA – The mistaken euthanizing of a dog by Champaign County Animal Control over Christmas has raised a storm of controversy. Now, Champaign County officials say they want to make sure it never happens again. After her dog Dada was impounded by Champaign County’s Animal Control Department, owner Monica Lopez was told by a department […]
217 Today — Dec. 15, 2020
Tuesday December 15, 2020 Today’s headlines: Illinois received its first shipment of the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine Monday. The University of Illinois still doesn’t have emergency use authorization from the FDA for its COVID-19 saliva test, but anticipates having it by January. Illinois public health officials reported 7,214 new COVID-19 cases yesterday, and an additional 103 deaths. Hospitals in Central Illinois are preparing to […]
United Way: There’s No Shortage Of Ways To Give Back In Champaign County
CHAMPAIGN – The United Way of Champaign County hopes residents who are able to give back to the community will consider doing so this holiday season. The organization has compiled a list of local holiday giving opportunities. They include adopt-a-family programs that pair people with families who have specific needs, as well as collection drives […]
217 Today — Nov. 20, 2020
Friday November 20, 2020 Today’s headlines: Governor JB Pritzker yesterday called on longtime Illinois House Speaker Mike Madigan to resign if he won’t appear in public and answer questions about a bribery scheme. Illinois state health officials are continuing to urge residents to stay home for the holidays and avoid large indoor gatherings of any kind. They […]
Pritzker’s Daily COVID-19 Briefing Full Transcript And Audio — Nov. 18, 2020
Gov. J.B. Pritzker and Dr. Ngozi Ezike are holding daily COVID-19 press briefings as cases and hospitalizations in Illinois reach record highs. Read and listen to the latest update from the governor’s office on new cases, phased re-opening and closings of different regions and the state’s ongoing pandemic response. You can watch the most recent […]
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 testing sites across the state, including information on testing eligibility and contact information. Public testing sites offer free testing regardless of insurance, with no need for a doctor’s referral. Illinois […]
Voters And Officials Report Smooth Election Day In Central Illinois
Editor’s note: These stories were reported by University of Illinois journalism students, with coverage coordinated by College Of Media journalism professor Chris Evans and professional journalists at Illinois Public Media. UPDATED Wednesday at 1:30 a.m.: Thousands of Mail-In Ballots Being Counted In Champaign County URBANA – Champaign County’s chief elections officer, County Clerk Aaron Ammons, says […]
217 Today — Nov. 6, 2020
Friday November 6, 2020 Today’s headlines: Some high-powered Democrats are calling on House Speaker Michael Madigan to resign as chair of the Democratic Party of Illinois. Illinois passed another grim COVID-19 milestone yesterday. More than 10,000 Illinoisans have now died after testing positive for the virus. Champaign County reported 60 new COVID-19 cases yesterday. The County […]
Some Health Officials Find Their Hands Tied On COVID-19 Restrictions
ROCKFORD – Sandra Martell is in a tough spot. As public health administrator in northern Illinois’ Winnebago County, Martell was threatened with lawsuits from several area bar owners after she included them on a list of businesses allegedly defying the governor’s orders to halt indoor dining. The county is part of a region that faced […]
217 Today — Oct. 30, 2020
Friday October 30, 2020 Today’s headlines: A hearing this afternoon in a Champaign County courtroom will give a group of local Republicans their first chance to make their case against County Clerk Aaron Ammons. The region of central and western Illinois, which includes Springfield and Quincy, Thursday joined states facing additional mitigation efforts to fight COVID-19. Public health […]