Gov. Pritzker Warns Illinois Cities That Re-Open Could Put Communities At Risk
CHICAGO – Illinois reported 2,341 new cases of COVID-19 Monday, bringing the state total to 63,840. 46 additional deaths in the last day brings the total state fatalities to 2,662. Gov. J.B. Pritzker also responded to news that the mayor of East Peoria says he’ll re-open the city in phases starting on Friday. That goes against the state’s stay-at-home order and would include re-opening businesses like salons. Gov. Pritzker warned it could cause an uptick in cases and put workers and the community at risk. Gov. Pritzker says he is considering opening parts of the state before the stay-at-home order lifts at the end of May. But he says consistently low case and hospitalization numbers would be a requirement before that could happen. – Lecia Bushak, Illinois Newsroom
Champaign County COVID-19 Cases Include 21 At Rantoul Foods Plant
URBANA – Champaign County reported ten new cases of COVID-19 on Monday. Data from the Champaign County Public Health District shows that five of those new cases are in the Rantoul zip code, which a total of 32 cases have now been counted. And a majority of the Rantoul cases are linked to the Rantoul Foods meat processing plant. A Rantoul Foods official confirms 21 COVID-19 cases at the plant, which has a work force of 650. Human Resources Director Jerry Jacobsen says the company is taking safety measures to control the outbreak. But in the meantime, he says many employees are staying away from work, due to fears of infection. Read coverage from the Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting here. – Jim Meadows, Illinois Newsroom
New COVID-19 Cases Rising In Winnebago County
ROCKFORD – Winnebago County announced 54 new COVID-19 cases Monday, putting the total number of cases at 616. The county includes the city of Rockford. Dr. Sandra Martell is with the Winnebago County Health Department. She says many of these cases are in areas of concern, such as nursing homes. So far, there have 22 deaths in the county. Other areas of concern include the Winnebago County Jail and the Rockford Rescue Mission. – WNIJ News
Illinois Man Who Put Crosses At Sites of Mass Shootings Dies
AURORA — A suburban Chicago man who spent years making crosses and bringing them to the sites of mass shootings and other disasters around the United States has died. Susie Zanis says her 69-year-old father, Greg Zanis, died early Monday. His death was expected after a recent announcement that he had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and just last week he greeted well-wishers from his porch as they drove by as part of a drive-by procession and living visitation organized by his daughter. Zanis made and delivered some 27,000 crosses to the sites of mass shootings and other tragedies for more than two decades. – Associated Press