‘We Are Burying Our Future’: Chicago Mayor Mourns Kids’ Deaths From Weekend Shootings
Mayor Lori Lightfoot says the last two Mondays she’s woken up with an “incredible sense of dread” after reading emails, text messages and media reports about the number of Chicagoans shot and killed over the weekend. On Monday morning, Lightfoot took a moment to express heartache for the latest tally of the dead — including a 10-year-old girl and a 1-year-old boy. Both were killed by stray bullets over the weekend. “It’s bad enough that we’re seeing people shooting, and we’re seeing violence in places that we really haven’t talked about in a number of years. It’s happening all over the city,” the mayor says. “But what causes me the greatest heartache as a mayor, as a mother, and just as a human being is seeing our babies being killed.” – Claudia Morell – WBEZ
McLean County’s Active COVID-19 Case Count Hits Lowest Mark In Two Months
The number of active coronavirus cases in McLean County is at its lowest level in two months. The McLean County Health Department reported Monday there are nine COVID-19 patients who are all isolating at home. No one is hospitalized. Those nine active cases are the lowest tally since April 30, when there were eight. Cases spiked in mid-May after an outbreak at a Bloomington nursing home and among some Illinois State University students. McLean County has not yet seen a big increase in cases despite a slight uptick in testing, a partially reopened economy, and various social justice demonstrations. – Ryan Denham – WGLT
Facebook ‘Likes’ DeKalb With Announcement Of $800 Million Data Center
Facebook is building an $800 million data center in DeKalb. City leaders have been working out the details for months under the secret project name “Ventus.” DeKalb City Manager Bill Nicklas confirmed the project early Tuesday morning. According to a news release, the facility will be the 12th Facebook data center in the United States — and is being touted for its energy efficiency. It’s expected to be supported by 100% renewable energy and use 80% less water than the average data center. – Jenna Dooley and Chase Cavanaugh – WNIJ
Jobs Expected To Come Back As State Reopens
Illinois unemployment in May was up — way up — compared with last year due to COVID-19. But the state reopening is bringing jobs back. Sam Salustro is with the Illinois Department of Employment Security. He said Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan is bringing these numbers down. “As industries have been returning, we’ve seen a lot of jobs return to manufacturing and construction, and we’re seeing it now within the leisure and hospitality business.” – Chase Cavanaugh – WNIJ