Illinois Sees Highest Number Of COVID-19 Deaths In One Day
CHICAGO — Gov. J.B. Pritzker responded Tuesday to the ruling of an Illinois judge that sided with State Representative Darren Bailey against the extended stay-at-home order. Gov. Pritzker said the judge’s ruling on Monday is limited and only applies to one person. He noted the state acted within its legal authority and is appealing immediately, and that the stay-at-home order still stands.
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) also announced 2,219 new cases of COVID-19 Tuesday, bringing the total case count to 48,102. An additional 144 people died from COVID-19, marking the highest number of deaths in 24 hours to date. That brings the total fatalities to more than 2,125. In the last day, 14,561 COVID-19 tests have been processed in the state, bringing the total number of tests to 242,189. – Lecia Bushak, Illinois Newsroom
Police Chief Questions Pritzker’s Powers, Stay-Home Orders
ENERGY — A southern Illinois police chief is expressing skepticism about Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s power to issue stay-at-home orders to combat the coronavirus pandemic. In a letter to residents of the village of Energy, Police Chief Shawn Ladd says he and his department have no interest in enforcing any rules, declarations or proclamations that morally or technically violate provisions of the federal or state constitutions. Ladd told The Southern Illinoisan in Carbondale nothing requires him or his officers to enforce Pritzker’s orders. – Associated Press
Poland Sends Help To Illinois To Fight COVID-19
CHICAGO – The Illinois National guard has teamed up with the Republic of Poland to fight COVID-19 in Illinois. Poland sent doctors, nurses and EMTs to Chicago to help combat the coronavirus. Illinois Army and Air National Guard, General Richard Neely, says Illinois and the European country have been working side by side for years. Meanwhile, the 1,100 National Guard troops deployed throughout the state are running testing sites and addressing outbreaks at prisons. – Olivia Mitchell, NPR Illinois
Northwestern Joins Other Universities Rejecting Relief Aid
EVANSTON — Northwestern University officials say the school is rejecting the $8.5 million it was allotted in the CARES Act. The university’s announcement Tuesday follows similar decisions made by officials at Harvard, Princeton, Stanford, Yale, Duke universities and the University of Pennsylvania. In a statement released by spokesman Jon Yates, Northwestern decided not to apply for or receive the funds allocated in the CARES Act after determining it couldn’t accept the act’s requirements and evolving guidance. The money for higher education was meant to help colleges and students facing financial losses triggered by the coronavirus pandemic. – Associated Press