217 Today — Feb. 25, 2021
Thursday, Feb. 25, 2021 Today’s headlines: Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker made a stop in Champaign on Wednesday to champion new criminal justice and police reforms, which he signed into law on Monday. A new lawsuit against the University of Illinois claims the university failed to investigate claims of sexual harassment and assault in a timely and adequate […]
Pritzker Expects To Hit 100,000 Daily Vaccines By Mid-March
Gov. JB Pritzker said Wednesday the state expects to be receiving up to 100,000 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine daily by mid-March, up from the…
Immigrant Doctors Worry About Families Back Home With Little Vaccine Access
As healthcare workers in the U.S. received COVID-19 vaccines, many were relieved and hopeful. But doctors who are foreign-born also describe a…
Ask The Newsroom: COVID-19 Vaccines, Contact Tracing And Data, COVID-19 Prevention
The Illinois Newsroom team is answering questions to help Illinois residents navigate this unprecedented time. Have a question you want to be answered? Ask here. Below you’ll find answers to questions about COVID-19 vaccines, schools and their response to the pandemic, as well as business and government aid. Please note: This information is accurate as […]
Illinois’ Hospitality Industry Seeks Help From State
Leaders of Illinois’ hospitality sector are asking the state to work with them on a plan to help them recover from 2020’s pandemic shutdown. Representatives of Illinois’ hotel, restaurant and convention industry testified Thursday at a hearing before the state Senate Tourism and Hospitality Committee, asking for relief from state coronavirus restrictions. “We need to […]
Restaurants, Hotels Call For Reopening Plan
SPRINGFIELD – Officials from the hotel, restaurant and convention industries told a state Senate panel Thursday that they need a clear plan for how they will be allowed to reopen as the COVID-19 pandemic wanes, warning that without such a plan, many will go out of business permanently. “We need to know… a strategy, we […]
ISBE Seeks To Waive State Assessments, Address Drop In Public School Enrollment During Pandemic
SPRINGFIELD – For the second year in a row, the Illinois State Board of Education is seeking a waiver from the U.S. Department of Education for standardized tests normally given during schools’ spring semester. Earlier this month, State Superintendent Carmen Ayala sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Education asking for the waiver on assessments, […]
U Of I Reverses Course After Kicking Grad Student Out For Failing To Get Tested For COVID-19
The University of Illinois has backed down from an initial decision to dismiss a graduate student for a full year for not getting regular COVID-19 tests during the fall semester. Late last month, Yidong “Ivor” Chen, a fourth year physics PhD student from China, faced a disciplinary committee made up of students, faculty and staff […]
WATCH LIVE: Pritzker Press Conference For Criminal Justice Bill HB 3653
WATCH LIVE: At 2 p.m. today the Pritzker administration delivers a virtual State of the State and budget address. Tune in live below. The questions we receive from you directly inform the stories we tell and what we investigate. Let us know what you need to know!
Ask The Newsroom: Schooling, Businesses, Government Aid
The Illinois Newsroom team is answering questions to help Illinois residents navigate this unprecedented time. Have a question you want answered? Ask here. Below you’ll find answers to questions about schools and their COVID-19 response, business and government aid during the pandemic. Please note the information is accurate as of February 17, 2021. Schooling Q: […]
Census Bureau Won’t Have Numbers Until After State Deadlines
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers are required to draw new legislative and congressional district maps this year, but that process may be thrown into chaos because of delays in producing the census numbers needed to draw equal districts. The U.S. Census Bureau announced Friday that due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other delays, it will not be able […]
Where Can You Get Your COVID-19 Vaccine In Central Illinois?
Updated February 15, 12:00 a.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. RESOURCES Illinois Department of Public Health State of Illinois Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response Centers for Disease Control and Prevention […]
Rural Areas Face Challenges In COVID Vaccine Rollout
Across the Midwest, the rollout of COVID vaccines has been spotty. Lots of people are having a trouble with online signups. And vaccine demand far…
Ask The Newsroom: Child Care, Gyms, Restaurants
The Illinois Newsroom team is answering questions to help Illinois residents navigate this unprecedented time. Have a question you want answered? Ask here. Below you’ll find answers to questions about child care, businesses and schools. Please note: This information is accurate as of Feb. 12, 2021. Child Care and Schooling Q: Is there going to […]
Senators Question Public Health Officials On Vaccine Rollout
SPRINGFIELD – State senators questioned public health officials regarding the state’s COVID-19 vaccination efforts in a Thursday hearing, one day after Gov. JB Pritzker announced that the state would expand vaccine eligibility under Phase 1B by Feb. 25. Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike and Deputy Director Andrew Friend testified before the […]