In Rural Illinois, Hospitals Still Fear COVID-19 Outbreaks
As the coronavirus pandemic continues, some of the biggest outbreaks have been concentrated in urban areas, like New York City and Chicago. But rural…
Foxconn’s Belkin Licenses U Of I Emergency Ventilator
URBANA — Work began two months ago at the University of Illinois on an emergency ventilator to treat COVID-19 patients. Now, the new design has found a manufacturer. U of I mechanical engineering professor Bill King oversaw the team that designed — and tested prototypes — of the Illinois Rapidvent ventilator, all in about three…
Pork Processing Slowed, But For Now Farmers Largely Spared From Euthanizing Their Pigs
Pork processing fell nearly 40 percent following temporary closures at meatpacking plants across the Midwest last month. That’s created a backlog of…
U Of I Report: COVID-19 Has Created Challenges, Highlighted Inequities Within Health Care System
A new report from the University of Illinois’ Institute for Government and Public Affairs identifies several ways the COVID-19 pandemic is creating challenges for health care workers and health care facilities. The report, which is part of an initiative from the U of I System to convene dozens of faculty experts to study how COVID-19…
News Around lllinois – May 13, 2020
COVID-19 Cases Top 4K In 1 Day, Pritzker Notes More Testing SPRINGFIELD — Illinois has recorded 4,014 new coronavirus cases, which is a one-day record high. The state also reported 144 new deaths Tuesday. But Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the state also received results on 29,000 coronavirus tests in the past 24 hours, so the…
Report: Illinois Improves Access, Quality Of Preschool Programs, COVID-19 Could Threaten Progress
Illinois has increased enrollment and improved access to preschool programs for children across the state, according to a recent report from the National Institute for Early Education Research. The group releases an annual report detailing where states rank on quality measures for things like curriculum and class sizes. This year, Illinois ranked third in the country…
News Around Illinois – May 12, 2020
Gov. Pritzker’s Office Working From Home After Senior Staffer Tests Positive For COVID-19 CHICAGO – Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Monday that his office is working from home after a senior staffer tested positive for COVID-19. The staff member is reportedly asymptomatic, but staying in isolation. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) also reported 1,266 new…
‘Murder Hornets’ Unlikely To Spread To Illinois, Pose Little Threat To Humans
URBANA – Giant hornets, which are native to Asia, arrived in Washington state for the first time at the end of last year. They’ve been dubbed “murder hornets” and garnered public attention in recent weeks. But it’s unlikely the insects will spread outside of Washington to pose any real threat, says Adam Dolezal, assistant professor…
Health Care Providers Take Precautions As Non-Emergency Care Resumes
While emergency medical procedures have continued throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, non-emergency or “elective” surgeries and medical procedures have been put on hold. But starting Monday, May 11, the state of Illinois allows health care providers to resume those procedures. Providers in east-central Illinois say they’re taking precautions to protect patients as they gear up to…
New York Times & Other National Newspapers Return To Champaign-Urbana
URBANA — A new distributor is bringing the New York Times and other national newspapers to Champaign-Urbana starting on Monday, after a six-month absence. Sunny News Delivery Service relaunching home delivery of the New York Times in Champaign-Urbana. The company is also returning the Times, Wall Street Journal and Chicago Tribune to newsstands in the…
Ask The Newsroom: CARES Act, Housing And Recreation In The Era Of COVID-19
The Illinois Newsroom team is answering questions from listeners to navigate this unprecedented time. Have a question you want answered? Ask here. In today’s edition of “Ask the Newsroom,” we’ve answered questions on everything from the pause on evictions to DMVs remaining closed below! CARES Act Q: Will the state allow employees to take out additional…
Illinois College-In-Prison Program Creates Guide For People Released From Incarceration During COVID-19
A University of Illinois college-in-prison program created a reentry guide for those released from prison and jail during the COVID-19 pandemic. Every year, the Education Justice Project updates one reentry guide to reflect the latest information about resources available to those released from prison and returning to Illinois communities, as well as another guide for…
News Around Illinois – May 11, 2020
Illinois COVID-19 Cases Surpass 77,000, With More Than 3,400 Deaths CHICAGO — State officials reported 1,656 new COVID-19 cases in Illinois on Sunday, the lowest number reported in 24 hours in 19 days. 57 additional deaths were reported, the lowest number since May 4. The Illinois Department of Public Health says the total number of…
Theater Groups & Classes Look For Ways To Survive Coronavirus Shutdown
URBANA – Live theater in America has been largely shut down for the past two months, due to the coronavirus outbreak. In central Illinois, theater groups are experimenting with performing online, while they wait for the time they can bring actors and audiences together again in the same building. Jim Meadows reports on how theater…
Due To Outbreak, All Rantoul Foods Employees To Be Tested For COVID-19
RANTOUL – The Champaign-Urbana Public Health District is responding to the recent outbreak at Rantoul Foods, a meat processing plant located in Rantoul. Administrator Julie Pryde says OSF Healthcare is leading the effort to test the remaining 500 employees who have not yet been tested. Of the roughly 200 who have already been tested, Pryde…