Illinois COVID-19 Cases Top 1,000
URBANA – The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 296 new cases of coronavirus disease in Illinois. The number of cases now stands at 1,049 in 30 counties. There are also three new deaths: a Cook County man in his 80s, a Chicago man in his 80s and a woman in her 70s from McLean County. The youngest patient in the state is an infant (younger than one). The oldest is 99-years-old. – Reginald Hardwick, Illinois Newsroom
Champaign County Coronavirus Cases Grow To 3
CHAMPAIGN – Two more Champaign County residents tested positive for COVID-19 over the weekend. Both are University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign employees, one in his 30s and one in his 50s. They are the first confirmed cases within the campus community. They’re both at home recovering, and while public health officials are reaching out to those who may have come into contact with the infected individuals, they say the risk of transmission is low. The two new cases brings the total known cases in Champaign County to three. The first was announced on March 15. – Dana Cronin, Illinois Newsroom
Grocery Stores Looking For Workers As Others Begin Layoffs
NORMAL – Many grocery stores in Illinois are in a hiring frenzy as they struggle to keep their shelves stocked, their stores clean and their workers healthy amid the COVID-19 response. Kroger stores have said they can put applicants on the job within days and will pay up to two weeks if an employee contracts COVID-19 or is forced to quarantine. Meijer is hiring to help meet increased demand for its delivery and pickup services. Wal-Mart and Sam’s Club say they are providing bonuses to hourly staff. Wal-Mart says it is hiring 150,000 workers nationwide. Jewel-Osco said it has 3,000 job openings for part-time in-store employees, delivery drivers and workers in Illinois, Indiana and Iowa. – Eric Stock, WGLT News
Dental Society Recommends Medical Donations
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois State Dental Society has recommended that its doctors keep their offices closed except to perform emergency services. The guidelines are intended to protect both dentists and patients, says Dental Society spokeswoman, Dr. Alice Boghosian. She practices in suburban Park Ridge. “Under no circumstances would I, as a patient, visit a dentist for a routine procedure feel that it’s critical that we make the public aware that it is not a good idea,’ said Boghosian. Emergency services that would be provided include severe pain, uncontrollable bleeding, extreme swelling that impedes breathing, infection or trauma such as a fall causing the loss of a tooth. – Maureen McKinney, NPR Illinois
Many Caterpillar Workers To Work From Home
DEERFIELD – Thousands of Caterpillar workers will continue heading to work classified as essential employees under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s executive stay-at-home order meant to control the spread of COVID-19. A Caterpillar spokeswoman said via e-mail Sunday that the earth moving giant’s Illinois facilities will continue to operate while adhering to Pritzker’s executive order. She says employee health, safety, and well-being remain a “top priority.” The governor’s executive order exempts many types of businesses, including those considered vital to continuing to keep the supply chain flowing. – Tim Shelley, Peoria Public Radio
Civil rights activist and Emmett Till relative dies at 50
CHICAGO — A relative of Emmett Till who spent her life educating others about the legacy of the black teenage lynching victim through her foundation has died. Airickca Gordon-Taylor was 50. Her family says the suburban Chicago woman died early Saturday after decades of kidney problems. Her mother, Ollie Gordon, was Till’s cousin. Gordon says her daughter was a fighter for equal justice. Gordon-Taylor started the Mamie Till Mobley Memorial Foundation in 2009. It was named after Till’s mother, whom she considered a surrogate mother. Till’s brutal death in 1955 helped energize the civil rights movement. – Associated Press