Stories by Amanda Vinicky
Controversial Workers’ Comp Rule Repealed Amid Business Pushback
The emergency rule passed earlier this month would have presumed essential workers who contract COVID-19 got it on the job – an assumption that would have been costly for businesses and their insurers.
Video of House Party During COVID-19 Crisis Draws International Ire
Dozens of young adults flouted social distancing guidelines Saturday night at a house party that appears to have been held in Chicago. Mayor Lori Lightfoot called it “reckless and utterly unacceptable.”
Pritzker Says Schools, Students Should Prepare for Remote Learning This Fall
As parents and students know, schools will be closed for the remainder of the school year. Gov. J.B. Pritzker says educators should be prepared to stay the course in case their doors have to remain closed this fall.
Illinois Puts COVID-19 Overflow Sites on Back Burner
New statewide totals: 43,903 cases, 1,933 deaths
The state reported another 2,126 COVID-19 cases and 59 fatalities Sunday. Despite those rising numbers, Illinois is not seeing so many severe cases that the medical system is overwhelmed.
‘Mask Up, Save Lives’ Movement Gets Masks to Chicago’s West Side
In less than a week, wearing a mask or face covering will be mandatory in Illinois. But not everyone has a mask, nor does everyone have resources to get one.
Lawsuit Pits Businesses vs. Pritzker in COVID-19 Legal Battle
The Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission will hold an emergency meeting on Monday to withdraw a temporary, emergency rule put in place earlier this month.
Chicago-Based Potbelly to Return $10M Small Business Loan
The Chicago-based sandwich chain announced Saturday that it will return the money after having received “further clarification from the Treasury Department” about the loan.
Don’t Drink Bleach, Illinois’ Public Health Director Warns
New statewide totals: 41,777 cases, 1,874 deaths
As Illinois seeks to prevent the spread of COVID-19, the state’s chief health director warned residents from resorting to possibly lethal, unproven means of prevention, such as drinking bleach.
Celebrating Milestones is Different These Days, But Life Goes On
Last Friday, Frank Paulus turned 100. Viola “Blondie” Paulus turns 97 on Wednesday. And Thursday, the couple — who moved to Chicago in the late ‘90s — will mark 76 years of marriage.
Blue Island Mayor Stands by Controversial Move to Shut Down Police Department
Blue Island Mayor Domingo Vargas said his move last month to have the city’s police force stand down was a matter of public safety—and that he’d do it again if need be.
Pritzker Won’t Interfere with Hydroxychloroquine Prescriptions Despite Fears of Shortage
Gov. J.B. Pritkzer says he recognizes that hydroxychloroquine “is being overused without a lot of testing to back it up,” but he will not interfere with doctors prescribing the drug.
Masks Are (Mostly) Optional in Illinois, But Please, Wipe Down Your Groceries: Governor
Masks are now mandatory in a handful of states, but Gov. J.B. Pritzker has not yet followed suit in Illinois. He does, however, recommend that shoppers should “absolutely” wipe down anything they buy from stores.
Pritzker: ‘Millions’ of Gloves, Masks Headed to Illinois from China
New statewide totals: 30,357 cases, 1,290 deaths
Illinois is set to receive a shipment of personal protective equipment from China, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Sunday as cases of the coronavirus across the state grew to 30,357, with 1,290 total deaths.
Illinois Publishes Nursing Home Data on COVID-19
The new coronavirus is causing fatalities in Illinois nursing homes, and data made publicly available on Sunday begins to provide insight into how many deaths are occurring, and where.
COVID-19 Telehealth Program Expands to Chicago, Northern Illinois
New statewide totals: 29,160 cases, 1,259 deaths
The program has so far been available only in central and southern Illinois. Its expansion comes as the state saw an increase of 1,585 COVID-19 cases and 125 deaths on Saturday.
Cover Up, Or Else: Parts of Illinois Already Requiring Masks in Public
If you venture out despite Illinois’ stay-at-home order – to go to work, to buy groceries, maybe to take a walk – you generally won’t get in trouble for not wearing a mask, though it is encouraged. But in some pockets of Illinois, it’s mandatory.
How the Public Health Crisis is Hurting Illinois’ Livestock Farmers
Agriculture is one of Illinois’ main industries. But like many other sectors, it’s taking a beating because of the coronavirus.
Lupus Patients Can’t Get Their Medicine Because People Think It Prevents COVID-19
A drug that has the potential to heal, or even prevent, the coronavirus is in high demand. And that’s a problem for patients with autoimmune diseases who know the drug works for them.
COVID-19 Cure? Convalescent Plasma Therapy Trial Launches in Chicago
Patients who have recovered from the coronavirus can help those struggling to fight the disease, as part of a clinical trial just launched by University of Chicago Medicine – the first trial of its kind in the area.
City Clampdown on Coal Plant Demolition ‘Too Little, Too Late’
Chicago is investigating the demolition of a former coal plant in Little Village and halting additional work at the site following an uproar over the smokestack’s implosion, which sent a plume of fine powder all over the neighborhood.
Governor Strikes Optimistic Tone in Fight Against COVID-19
New statewide totals: 20,852 cases, 720 deaths
Confirmed cases of the coronavirus in Illinois eclipsed the 20,000 mark Sunday, but Gov. J.B. Pritkzer said there’s evidence the state may be “stabilizing” or “bending” the curve.
Swimming in COVID-19 Stress? Illinois Will Connect You with a Counselor
New statewide totals: 19,180 cases, 677 deaths
Three weeks into a mandatory statewide order to stay at home, Illinois is offering two new programs to help people reeling from the coronavirus, whether physically fighting the disease or fighting off the mental demons it has unleashed.
2 Doctors Take the Helm During Coronavirus Pandemic, Turnover in Cook County
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle on Saturday introduced Dr. Rachel Rubin as incident commander and Dr. Kiran Joshi as the assistant incident commander of the Cook County Department of Public Health’s operations
Second Chicago Police Officer Dies of COVID-19
Interim Superintendent Beck: Coronavirus a ‘difficult murderer to trace’
CPD Sgt. Clifford Martin, a father of three, died this week. He first experienced symptoms on March 20, stopped working on March 22, and that he’d then been hospitalized for two weeks.
Local Company Makes Coronavirus-Killing Disinfectants
Everyone knows the basics: Clean your hands. Wipe down surfaces. But for more on how to protect yourself from the coronavirus, we spoke with a local chemical supplier.
Activists Fight to Prevent Virus Spread in Prison ‘Petri Dishes’
So far, three incarcerated men in Illinois — two who had been housed at Stateville prison in Crest Hill and a detainee at the Cook County Jail – have died from complications related to the coronavirus. A pair of court battles are now brewing.
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