Stories by Kristen Thometz
UIC Clinical Trial Will Test COVID-19 Vaccine
Next month, the University of Illinois at Chicago will begin testing a vaccine to see if it will prevent people from getting the novel coronavirus or experiencing severe illness from it if they do get it.
GoFundMe Campaign Started to Support Double Lung Transplant Recipient
Kate Ramirez is asking for prayers and donations as her 28-year-old sister, Mayra, recovers from a double lung transplant she received earlier this month as a result of complications from COVID-19.
UIC Study Analyzes How COVID-19 Has Changed Travel Behavior, Lifestyles
As Illinois businesses and schools closed to slow the spread of the coronavirus, daily routines changed. How much of an impact will COVID-19 have on people’s future behaviors?
Cook County Receives $41M from State for COVID-19 Contact Tracing
The Cook County Department of Public Health will scale up its COVID-19 contact tracing program within the next six months, thanks to a $41 million grant from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Northwestern Surgeons Perform Double Lung Transplant on COVID-19 Patient
After six weeks on a ventilator and life-support machine, a 20-year-old woman whose lungs were damaged by COVID-19 received what is believed to be among the first double lung transplants performed on a survivor of the virus.
Pritzker Says Illinois on Track to Move to Phase 4, Won’t Lift Restrictions Early
New statewide totals: 129,837 cases, 6,095 deaths
A group of Republican lawmakers are calling on Gov. J.B. Pritzker to lift additional restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus by Friday — weeks ahead of the timeline outlined in the governor’s reopening plan for Illinois.
$270M of Illinois’ Federal Coronavirus Funding to Help Child Care Providers
While schools and nonessential businesses temporarily closed in March, hundreds of child care centers stayed open to care for the children of essential workers. The state is now dedicating millions of dollars toward their financial health.
City Cancels Summer Festivals Through Labor Day
This year’s summer festival season will look a little different, with large outdoor festivals canceled or moved online, including Lollapalooza.
More than 1 Million COVID-19 Tests Performed in Illinois
New statewide totals: 125,915 cases, 5,795 deaths
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said the milestone was the result of the “incredible work of so many people behind the scenes.”
Northwestern Study of Pregnant Women with COVID-19 Finds Placenta Injuries
The placenta provides nutrients and oxygen to a developing fetus, among other things. In a small study, researchers found the placentas from pregnant women with COVID-19 showed signs of injury.
Pritzker Signs Legislation Permitting Sale of To-Go Cocktails
Next time you order takeout food, you can pair it with a premade to-go cocktail, thanks to legislation signed by Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday.
How to Clean Your Cloth Face Covering
Cloth face coverings should be washed after each use. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shares tips on how to get yours squeaky clean.
Faith Leaders, Activists Call for Peaceful Protests, Reform
Following days of violence and looting throughout the city and county, a group of faith leaders, community activists and politicians are urging peaceful protests while calling for reform. “There’s a way we can resist constructively,” said Jahmal Cole.
Illinois Surpasses 120,000 Coronavirus Cases as State Slowly Reopens
New statewide totals: 120,260 cases, 5,390 deaths
Just days after the state began slowly reopening, public health officials said 120,260 people have so far tested positive for the virus in Illinois, including an additional 1,343 between Saturday and Sunday.
Illinois Headed in ‘Right Direction’ on Eve of Phase 3: State’s Top Doctor
New statewide totals: 115,833 cases, 5,186 deaths
“As a state we’re definitely headed in the right direction, we’ve successfully met the metrics to move into phase three, but we must proceed with caution,” said Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike.
Online Pet Adoptions a Success, Chicago Shelters Say
Chicago Animal Care and Control and PAWS Chicago pivoted to online pet adoptions when Illinois’ stay-at-home order was issued. We check in on how that’s been going — and how else the pandemic has impacted animal shelters.
Filing for Unemployment in Illinois? Here’s What You Need to Know
More than 1.2 million unemployment claims have been processed in Illinois since March, and many people are filing for unemployment insurance for the first time. Here are some tips to help you navigate the process.
Residents Question Hilco’s Commitment to Neighborhood Ahead of Demolition
During a 90-minute town hall Saturday, Chicago residents questioned officials about plans to demolish what’s left of the Crawford Coal Plant and Hilco Global’s commitment to the neighborhood.
More than 720K COVID-19 Tests Completed as Illinois Inches Toward Next Phase
New statewide totals: 107,796 cases, 4,790 deaths
Illinois remains on track to enter the next phase of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reopening plan, according to Illinois Department of Public Health data, which shows 722,247 coronavirus tests have been conducted to date.
Street Sweeping Tickets Mistakenly Issued During Stay-at-Home Order
Residents aren’t supposed to be ticketed for cars parked along street sweeping routes during Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s stay-at-home order, but some have. Those tickets were issued in error, according to the Chicago Department of Streets and Sanitation.
Outdoor Restaurant Seating Can Resume in Phase 3: Pritzker
New statewide totals: 100,418 cases, 4,525 deaths
By the end of the month, Illinoisans could be dining alfresco at local restaurants – a change from the state’s original reopening plan that limited restaurants to pickup and delivery services during phase three.
Show Your Appreciation for Essential Workers by Howling for Heroes
Join Chicagoans and their pooches across the city each night at 8 p.m. to show your support for health care workers, first responders and essential employees by howling.
Illinois on Track for Phase 3 of Reopening Plan: Pritzker
New statewide totals: 98,030 cases, 4,379 deaths
Barbershops, salons, offices and manufacturing could reopen in just 10 days if the state moves into the next phase of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s Restore Illinois plan. What that phase looks like.
Illinois Launching Contact Tracing Pilot Programs in Lake, St. Clair Counties
New statewide totals: 96,485 cases, 4,234 deaths
As part of Illinois’ push to create an “army” of contact tracers to identify people at risk of developing COVID-19, the state is launching pilot programs in two counties that have seen a combined 7,430 cases of the virus.
Illinois Launches Jobs-Focused Website Amid Spike in Unemployment
New statewide totals: 87,937 cases, 3,928 deaths
As Illinois faces record levels of unemployment, the state has launched a website aiming to connect job seekers with employers and provide free online access to workforce development courses.
Pritzker Provides Update on Nursing Homes as State Sets Record for COVID-19 Deaths
New statewide totals: 84,698 cases, 3,792 deaths
Illinois has set a new record for the number of coronavirus-related deaths in a single 24-hour period: 192. To date, the 3,792 deaths in Illinois are linked to the virus and 84,698 people have tested positive for it, according to health officials.
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