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 receive their first doses of the COVID-19 vaccine.

In today’s deep dive, months into the pandemic, misinformation about COVID-19 continues to circulate online. Side Effects Public Media’s Steph Whiteside debunks a few of the most common myths.

 217 Today is produced by Olivia Butts and hosted by Brian Moline. Reporting today contributed by Sean Crawford, Lee Gaines, Christine Herman, and Steph Whiteside.


Monday December 14, 2020

Today’s headlines:

  • Part of the Electoral College vote process takes place in Springfield today.

  • Illinois public health officials reported more than 17-thousand new COVID-19 cases over the weekend, as well as an additional 242 deaths. Sunday marked the eleventh day this month that the statewide death toll surpassed 100.

  • Champaign County reported 192 new COVID-19 cases over the weekend. The county currently has more than 1,000 active cases.

  • Illinois’ unfunded pension liability grew again last year to a new high of $144 billion, according to new analysis released by the state last week.

  • The University of Illinois has fired head football coach Lovie Smith, with one game remaining in his fifth season with the program. Smith compiled a 17-39 record at Illinois.

In today’s deep dive, The United Way of Champaign County has compiled a list of holiday volunteering opportunities. We learn more from Illinois Newsroom’s Christine Herman.

217 Today is produced by Olivia Butts and hosted by Brian Moline. Reporting today contributed by Hannah Meisel and Christine Herman.

Jose Zepeda