Advocate Warns Of Moving Foster Children To Managed Care
Central Illinois Officers Feel Stress Of Civil Unrest
McLean County law enforcement leaders say local police departments are feeling the heat after months of intense public scrutiny in response to the murders of Breonna Taylor and George Floyd and other incidents of police brutality. McLean County Sheriff Jon Sandage says he’s heard a lot of officers are looking forward to retirement. In May, Normal Police Chief Rick Bleichner came under criticism for his officers’ response to looting at a nearby Target. —Edith Brady-Lunny, WGLT
Chicago Mayor: Pandemic Has Caused $1.2B Hole In 2021 Budget
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the coronavirus pandemic is the “single largest driver” of the city’s economic challenges. On Monday, she predicted a $1.2 billion hole in the 2021 budget. The city’s tourism, transportation and hospitality industries have been hit the hardest, the first-term mayor said. Lightfoot said the city will need federal help to continue combating the pandemic and to address the economic fallout. In early August, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said federal economic aid is necessary to avoid deep spending cuts and layoffs in the state. —Sophia Tareen, Associated Press
Herrin Schools Call For Help To Slow The Spread Of COVID-19
The Herrin School District in western Illinois is warning the community that if they don’t practice social distancing, the district will be forced to pivot to remote learning full time. This comes after new cases in Williamson County were traced back to gatherings where masks weren’t worn and social distancing wasn’t observed. On Monday, an employee at a Herrin Elementary School after school program tested positive. Two siblings at Herrin High School tested positive over the weekend. All close contacts have been identified and contacted. —Brad Palmer, WSIU
