Even without a global pandemic, dentistry is inherently riskier than many other medical professions. That’s because dentists and hygienists spend a lot of time inches away from wide-open mouths, conducting procedures known to generate aerosols — tiny droplets that can linger in the air and carry viruses. So when dental hygienist Jeanne Bosecker started back…
CHAMPAIGN – Park district walking paths and trails have remained open through Illinois’ stay-at-home order, and some have reopened pavilions for rentals and outdoor tennis courts since the state entered Phase Three of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan. But for the time being, playgrounds will remain closed. Julie Pryde, administrator of the Champaign-Urbana Public…
As the state of Illinois begins allowing outdoor dining at restaurants Friday, cities are issuing guidance on how restaurants can expand their available outdoor seating. Rob Kowalski, Assistant Planning and Development Director for the City of Champaign, says officials had just a few days to write their guidelines, after Governor J.B. Pritzker announced late last…
CHAMPAIGN – As certain businesses reopen and people begin socializing in small groups during Phase Three of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan, local public health officials say they’re expecting to see additional COVID-19 outbreaks occur. “We are definitely going to see more cases,” says C-U Public Health Administrator Julie Pryde. “That is the nature…
Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to clarify the Campus Faculty Association’s role at the University of Illinois. A previous version of this article described the group as a labor union. It is not. The CFA is an advocacy group. URBANA – As University of Illinois officials deliberate over how to reopen the Urbana…
Editor’s note: This story was updated at 7:54 p.m. on May 26 to include comments from the Illinois Department of Corrections. An amended lawsuit filed against Rob Jeffreys, director of the Illinois Department of Corrections, and Gov. J.B. Pritzker last week claims that the state’s prison system has failed to protect medically vulnerable prisoners from…
URBANA — The observance of Memorial Day is happening in Illinois this year with far fewer ceremonies than usual. The coronavirus outbreak has put a damper on all public gatherings — including those held to remember military personnel and veterans who have died. Veterans groups in Mattoon and Georgetown are among those holding Memorial Day ceremonies…
Illinois school districts will receive more than half a billion dollars in federal stimulus funds as a result of the CARES Act. School districts across the state are now applying for about $512 million dollars that the Illinois State Board of Education will distribute based on how many low-income students districts serve. The money is…
CHAMPAIGN – When pressed by reporters during a news briefing earlier this month, Governor J.B. Pritzker said he thinks local public health departments should inform the public when outbreaks occur at area businesses. In Champaign County, which is dealing with 22 outbreaks of COVID-19 as of Thursday, local officials aren’t providing information about where those…
CHAMPAIGN – A group of local organizations and municipalities has launched a new online resource — www.ChampaignCountySafe.org — to help Champaign County businesses as they prepare to re-open per state guidelines. The site provides a list of resources, including information about protective equipment and cleaning procedures, and best practices to keep employees and customers safe….
Joseph Horton is overwhelmed and stressed because he’s struggling to keep himself and his cell clean. Horton is incarcerated at Menard Correctional Center in southern Illinois. He says safety measures have improved in the prisons since the pandemic began, but he says more could be done to protect inmates. “I’m in a cell with another…
SPRINGFIELD – Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced new modifications to Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois plan Wednesday that will allow more activity and businesses to re-open. He says all regions in Illinois are on track to reach Phase 3 by the end of May. The Phase 3 modifications will allow outdoor seating for bars and…
This story was originally published in English and was translated by Marcela Renna through a partnership with America Amplified. If you have any questions or concerns about the translation, please email Jennifer@americaamplified.org. Traducido por Marcela Renna en colaboración con America Amplified. Si tiene alguna pregunta o inquietud sobre la traducción, favor de comunicarse por correo electrónico con Jennifer@americaamplified.org. WILL…
We hear countless stories about COVID-19 and the health workers fighting the disease on the front lines every day, but very few of those stories are geared toward children. That inspired a University of Illinois medical student to write a children’s book, “Heroes of a Pandemic.” Illinois Newsroom’s Brian Moline speaks with U of I…
A Spanish translation of this story is available here. WILL and Illinois Newsroom hosted a “COVID-19 Q&A” Facebook Live discussion on Thursday, May 14, which gave people the opportunity to ask questions of our panel of local public health officials and medical experts. Topics included: Status updates from local public health administrators and medical doctors …