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Illinoisans Go to the Polls Despite Coronavirus Fears
| Paris Schutz
A day that started out with confusion and low voter turnout looks to be ending with relatively few lingering problems, and turnout numbers that approach typical primary elections.
Chicago Public Health Commissioner Expects COVID-19 Cases to Rise
| Kristen Thometz
As of Tuesday, 63 of the 160 people who have tested positive for the new coronavirus in Illinois are Chicago residents, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health. We get the latest from CDPH Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady.
Party Animals! Brookfield Zoo Carries on With St. Patrick’s Day Tradition
| Patty Wetli
At least one St. Patrick’s Day tradition is alive and well in these topsy-turvy times. Animals at Brookfield Zoo received special shamrock-shaped treats on Tuesday.
Pritzker Announces 1st COVID-19 Death in Illinois, Slams Federal Government
| Kristen Thometz
A Chicago woman in her 60s marks the first reported death in Illinois related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the death Tuesday, as confirmed cases across the state grew to 160.
Election Day: Chicago Officials Urged Gov. Pritzker to Postpone Election
| Paris Schutz
Exasperated Chicago election officials say they urged Gov. J.B. Pritzker to postpone Tuesday’s election, close all polling places and move to mail-in balloting, but Pritzker rejected the idea.
5 Questions Heading into Tuesday’s Democratic Primaries
| Associated Press
Nothing is certain in the age of the coronavirus. Three states scheduled to vote after Tuesday postponed their primaries. Ohio scrapped its Tuesday vote, while Arizona, Florida and Illinois vowed to push ahead.
Hospitals Prepare for Onslaught of COVID-19 Patients
| Amanda Vinicky
Illinois hospitals are postponing elective surgeries, reconfiguring their emergency rooms and are making extra space in their intensive care units as they prepare for a spike in patients suffering from novel coronavirus.
Neighbors Attempt to Salvage St. Patrick’s Day Fun With No-Contact Shamrock Scavenger Hunt
| Patty Wetli
Neighbors in Bucktown suggested hanging shamrocks in windows for a DIY scavenger hunt, and Lincoln Square grabbed onto the idea. Who else wants in?
Spotlight Politics: Officials Fear Judge Shortage Could Make Election Day Difficult
| Brandis Friedman
The Chicago Board of Elections is pleading with the public in order to find election judges for Tuesday’s primary. Our politics team takes on that story and more election news in this week’s roundtable.
Stocks in Free Fall Amid Coronavirus Panic Selling
| Paul Caine
U.S. stocks plunged nearly 13% Monday. As bars and restaurants in Illinois close to dine-in customers, we analyze the economic impact of the coronavirus.
Black ABCs Celebrate 50 Years With New Photo Series
| Angel Idowu
In the midst of cancelations and closures, an art exhibit remains open, for a limited time, to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Black ABCs. Since the 1970s, these letters have been used in public schools around the country.
Closures, Quarantines: Officials Aim to Halt Spread of COVID-19
| Alexandra Silets
Restaurants have closed for dine-in business. Schools are shuttered. Gatherings should be limited. How big a difference will these rules make? We speak with an infectious disease doctor about the new recommendations.
Illinois Restaurants, Grocery Stores Scramble Amid Coronavirus Shutdowns
| Paris Schutz
Illinois restaurants and bars are preparing for their last call for dine-in business until at least the end of the month. Meanwhile, grocers big and small are scrambling to restock shelves.
Coronavirus Cases in Illinois Reach 105 as 12 More Test Positive
| Kristen Thometz
Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a new mandate Monday in the fight against spread of the coronavirus. Gatherings of 50 people or more should be canceled, he said, citing guidelines announced Sunday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
CPS, Lightfoot Urge Students to Stay Home; Schools Could be Closed Into Next Month
| Matt Masterson
Chicago Public Schools buildings will only be open to provide food and enrichment activity supplies to families during COVID-19 closures.
COVID-19 Got You Feeling Cooped Up? An Expert Says It’s OK to Go Outside
| Patty Wetli
Concerns over the spread of the coronavirus have a lot of people working from home, schools closed, restaurants shuttered and sports canceled. Can we even go outside? Yes, say the experts, but still practice social distance.
Have a Coronavirus Question? Tweet at Chicago’s Public Health Commissioner
| Kristen Thometz
Have pressing coronavirus questions? Tweet them using the hashtag #AskDrArwady daily at 11 a.m. and get answers from Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady.
St. Patrick’s Day Miracle? The Chicago River WAS Dyed Green, After All
| Patty Wetli
The annual dyeing of the river was canceled downtown, but the waterway flowed emerald green on its North Branch.
Arc of Trump’s Coronavirus Comments Defies Reality on Ground
| Associated Press
In the course of a few weeks, President Donald Trump veered from confidently assuring Americans his administration had the coronavirus outbreak “very well under control” to declaring a national emergency.
Party’s Over: 4 States Close Bars, Restaurants Over Virus
| Associated Press
On Saturday night, revelers in many parts of the country ignored warnings against attending large gatherings to prevent the spread of coronavirus. On Sunday, it became clear that in many places, the party is over.
Chicago Showdown, Round One: Lost Chicago Buildings
| Nick Blumberg
With no hockey or basketball, delayed baseball and no March Madness, we don’t even have sports to turn to in these times of trouble. Enter the Chicago Showdown, four weeks of Chicago-themed brackets built to fuel friendly arguments – and we need your votes!
In ‘Unprecedented’ Move, Pritzker Orders Temporary Closure of Illinois Restaurants, Bars to Dine-In Customers
| Amanda Vinicky
The drastic measure comes as officials announced the number of COVID-19 cases in Illinois has risen to 93. Restaurants can still serve food via delivery, or curbside pick-up. “This is another hard step to take,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement.
Virus Screenings Jam US Airports; ‘Atrocious,’ a Flyer Says
| Associated Press
Weary travelers returning to the U.S. amid coronavirus-related travel restrictions are being greeted by long lines and hourslong waits for required medical screenings at airports.
The Week in Review: Schools Closed, Events Canceled as COVID-19 Spreads
| Evan Garcia
President Trump declares a national emergency as the coronavirus prompts event cancellations and school closures across the city and state. And primary races are down to the wire as Illinois voters head to the polls Tuesday.
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