Stories by Kristen Thometz

State and local officials are again saying the risk of catching the coronavirus remains low in Illinois, but they’re expanding the state’s capacity and methods to test for the virus.

Clover sprouts served at Jimmy John’s restaurants have been linked with an E. coli outbreak that has sickened 14 people in five states, including six people in Illinois. The company said it is no longer serving sprouts.

Superheroes and villains, an icy dip in the lake, backyard chickens and winter ales usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

The novel coronavirus is not spreading across Illinois communities or the U.S., but state health officials say they’re taking preventative actions to limit that from happening.

Federal health officials say Americans should begin preparing for a potentially severe outbreak of COVID-19. “Now is the time for businesses, hospitals, communities, schools, and everyday people to begin preparing,” said Dr. Nancy Messonnier of the CDC.

According to a new survey, four out of five Illinois residents are concerned about being able to afford some aspect of health care in the future, such as prescription drugs and health insurance.

Two students who took a biomedical science class in the northwest suburbs say the program prepared them for stressful real-life situations. “Everyone should know what goes on in the body and how things work,” said Sarah Touhy.

On Friday, the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office reported four new cold-related deaths in the county.

A Carnivale celebration, late-night art show, chocolate and bicycles usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Early voting is underway at 50 neighborhood sites and the city’s downtown “super site.” Here’s everything you need to know.

In a small study, pregnant women diagnosed with the novel coronavirus during their third trimester didn’t spread the virus to their newborns. While a local researcher called those results exciting, he said they can’t be generalized to all pregnant women. 

Vaping-related illnesses have killed more than 60 people across the U.S. since March – including five in Illinois – and hospitalized 2,758 others, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Chicago is among five U.S. cities that will test patients who exhibit flu-like symptoms for the novel coronavirus, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Hot cars, folk music, dance lessons and scaly creatures usher in the Valentine’s Day weekend. Here are 10 things to do in Chicago.

Strong ladies, a pop-up music festival, a walk in the woods and ice skating usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Evacuees from Wuhan, China, will spend two weeks at a military base in Riverside, California, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The risk to the American public remains low, officials said Friday.

While no infant fatalities or injuries have so far been reported, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission says consumers should stop using the recalled products immediately. 

The announcement from local health officials came just hours before the World Health Organization declared the coronavirus outbreak a global health emergency.

Bite-sized dishes, Oscar-nominated films, hot cocoa and Lunar New Year parades usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Super Bowl Sunday is a massive day for sports fans – and high-calorie foods. Get tips for trimming the fat off some game-day favorites without punting on flavor.

Among the dozens of American patients under investigation for the novel coronavirus, five have tested positive for the illness while 32 others have tested negative, according to health officials.

The Chicago-based company is recalling approximately 2,020 pounds of raw ground beef products after consumer complaints of clear, thin pliable plastic found in the products.

CBD pet products claim to treat pain, anxiety and even seizures, but do they work? And are they even safe? The chief veterinary officer of the American Veterinary Medical Association weighs in.

A new and potentially deadly virus circulating in China has been confirmed in Chicago, according to health officials. “This is a single travel-associated case, not a local emergency,” said Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health.

If you regularly check nutrition fact labels, you may have noticed some recent changes – namely, the addition of added sugars and realistic serving sizes. Those changes and others went into effect Jan. 1 per new FDA guidelines. A local registered dietitian explains.

A Chinese New Year celebration, a play about Nancy Pelosi, sweet bread and an icy dip in the lake usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.