Area Breaking News
COVID-19 cases surge with expanded testing
BY PETER HANCOCK, Capitol News Illinois The Illinois Department of Public Health reported the highest single-day total of new COVID-19 cases Tuesday along with the highest number of tests. Department Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said the state confirmed 4,014 new cases of the disease over the previous 24 hours, a period during which the state…
Read MoreCAPITOL RECAP: One lawmaker wins legal challenge to stay-at-home order, second lawmaker sues
BY CAPITOL NEWS ILLINOIS A second Republican state representative on Wednesday, April 29, filed a lawsuit against Gov. JB Pritzker alleging he overstepped his authority in ordering Illinoisans to stay at home to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. The outcome of Machesney Park Rep. John Cabello’s case could affect all state residents,…
Read MorePritzker Blasts Lawmaker Exempted From Stay-at-Home Order by Court
BY BEN ORNER, Capitol News Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Tuesday denounced a state representative from southern Illinois, calling the lawsuit that defeated his stay-at-home order in court “a cheap political stunt.” Referring to state Rep. Darren Bailey, R-Xenia, only as “the state representative from the 109th district,” Pritzker said Bailey’s successful lawsuit in Clay…
Read MoreFayette County Records Second COVID-19 Related Death
At noon on Thursday, April 23, the Fayette County Health Department announced the county’s second death of COVID-19. The deceased was a woman in her 90’s and a resident of the same congregate facility as the county’s first COVID-19 death. FCHD offered their condolences to the deceased’s family in their Facebook announcement.
Read MoreGov. Pritzker Announces Modified Stay at Home Order Will Be Extended Through May to Continue Progress
Based on data from scientists and health experts and after consulting with stakeholders across the state, Governor JB Pritzker announced that he will sign a modified version of the state’s stay at home order that will go into effect on May 1 to continue the life-saving progress made over the last month while also…
Read MoreFifth Positive COVID-19 Case reported by Effingham County Health Department
Another positive COVID-19 case, Effingham County’s fifth, was reported today. The individual, a female in her 30’s, reports no known contact with the novel coronavirus. This news validates messages that COVID-19 is circulating in the Effingham and surrounding communities. The new case is doing well and is recovering at home on isolation. One of the…
Read MorePritzker: Illinois’ ‘Curve is Bending the Right Way’; Local Figures Updated
BY REBECCA ANZEL, Capitol News Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker said Monday state efforts to mitigate the novel coronavirus’ impact on Illinoisans, and residents’ efforts to “protect” their communities, are working. The numbers of new confirmed cases and COVID-19-related deaths continue to rise, but the governor said “our curve is bending the right way.” The…
Read MoreLetter from Fayette County Health Department: First COVID-19 Death in Congregate Facility
On this Easter Sunday, I regret to inform you, of our first COVID–19 confirmed death. Our deepest condolences to the family. Patient was female, in her nineties and lived in a congregate facility. Current total: 70 people tested, 11 people confirmed positive, and one death. There are six confirmed positive cases related to this same…
Read MoreWe Gather, Not Quite Together: Navigating Lent During the COVID-19 Crisis: Area Churches Speak on Ministering Remotely Through Holy Week and Beyond
BY SHELBY NIEHAUS If not for the COVID-19 pandemic and the rolling shutdowns designed to combat it, every church in the region would be packed as the end of Lent, and Easter with it, closed in. But viruses know no calendar, and many faithful were sad to see their places of worship closed by…
Read MoreState Reports 68 More COVID-19 Deaths, 1,465 More Cases
BY JERRY NOWICKI, Capitol News Illinois Novel coronavirus deaths in the state grew by 68 Friday to nearly 600 as Gov. JB Pritzker unveiled a new outreach effort aimed at the African American community. The number of confirmed novel coronavirus disease, or COVID-19, cases in the state rose to 17,887, up 1,465 since Thursday, and…
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