State Lawmakers To Convene In Springfield On Wednesday
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois state legislators will meet for session in Springfield Wednesday for the first time in more than two months. It’s all subject to change, of course, but a few key items are scheduled to come up according to House documents: the state budget, a measure expanding vote by mail, and the highly-anticipated COVID-19 relief package. Right now, the package is broken up by industry. There’s a set of proposed changes for education, a set for healthcare, and so on. Each includes a slew of policy ideas: everything from telehealth access to free days at state parks and museums. Separately, several House lawmakers have said they will not wear face masks during session. But Speaker Michael Madigan drew a hard line in the sand on that subject. In a statement, he says anyone not wearing one risks discipline and even removal from the chamber. – Sam Dunklau, NPR Illinois
Illinois On Track To Loosen Restrictions Later This Month
CHICAGO — Gov. J.B. Pritzker says all parts of Illinois are on track to see coronavirus-related restrictions loosened and more businesses reopen before the end of the month. But officials warned Tuesday that residents must remain diligent about stopping the spread of COVID-19. Illinois recorded 1,545 new cases of COVID-19, including 146 additional deaths. That brings the state’s total cases to 98,030, with 4,379 deaths. IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike says the numbers are evidence Pritzker’s stay-at-home order and other measures such as wearing masks are working. But she says “we can’t undo all that we’ve done.” – Associated Press
U Of I Medical Student Writes Children’s Book About Pandemic
URBANA – An University of Illinois medical student to write a children’s book, “Heroes of a Pandemic.” Anant Naik is a second-year student at the Carle Illinois College of Medicine. He says he wanted to find a way to help as the COVID-19 pandemic started to spread. Naik is donating all proceeds from the sale of his book to Doctors Without Borders. You can find more information, including where to purchase the book, at Naik’s website. – Brian Moline, Illinois Newsroom