As Illinois reaches another grim milestone in the number of COVID-19 cases, December is on pace to become the state’s deadliest month, an analysis of public health data shows. 
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The pandemic in Illinois reached another sobering mark on Friday, whenhealth officials reported 15,015 total deaths linked to the pandemic and 886,805 infections. 

COVID-19 in Illinois: 8,828 New Cases, 181 Additional Deaths

Gov J.B. Pritzker said the state's first vaccine shipments have been distributed to 77 hospitals across Illinois, and on Thursday, another 43,000 additional doses arrived in Cook, Lake, Madison and St. Clair counties.
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COVID-19 in Illinois: 7,123 New Cases, 146 Additional Deaths

The coronavirus pandemic has made internet access more essential than ever as people work and learn from home. But not everyone has a device to connect to the web — or internet access itself.
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COVID-19 in Illinois: 7,359 New Cases, 117 Additional Deaths

Facing a nearly $4 billion budget hole, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday outlined millions in cuts that he called a “first step” toward balancing the state’s budget.
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Plus: IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike on ‘Chicago Tonight’

The state’s first round of COVID-19 vaccinations outside of Chicago took place Tuesday morning in Peoria, where five health care workers rolled up their sleeves to get their first dose.
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COVID-19 in Illinois: 7,214 New Cases, 103 Additional Deaths

“Today is a very special day that should instill us all with optimism and hope,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Monday as the state received an initial shipment of about 43,000 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine made by Pfizer. 
A vaccine is on the way, but it will likely be months before it is widely available. That means masks and social distancing protocols will need to remain in place, the governor said this week.
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COVID-19 in Illinois: 9,420 New Cases, 190 Additional Deaths

More than 1,000 Illinoisans have died of the coronavirus this week alone, during a time in which the U.S. has repeatedly set single-day records for COVID-19 fatalities.
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COVID-19 in Illinois: 11,101 New Cases, 196 Additional Deaths

“We’ve come very far,” Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said Thursday. “Let’s keep going and let’s get everybody to the end of this marathon and get back to normal altogether."
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COVID-19 in Illinois: 8,256 New Cases, 179 Additional Deaths

“I urge people to postpone the normal ways that you’re used to celebrating. We are advising people to postpone travel during the holidays,” Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike said Wednesday.
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COVID-19 in Illinois: 7,910 New Cases, 145 Additional Deaths

With coronavirus vaccines on the horizon, state health officials are addressing people’s fears and skepticism surrounding their rapid development.
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The U.S. is about to embark on a massive COVID-19 vaccination campaign. Here's what you need to know about the state’s plan.
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COVID-19 in Illinois: 8,691 New Cases, 90 Additional Deaths

Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday said officials are still “still watching and waiting” to see if there will be a surge statewide in the number of coronavirus cases and hospitalizations stemming from holiday gatherings.
Sunday marked the first day this month in which Illinois’ daily death toll dipped below 125. There were only 10 days in November when triple-digit numbers were recorded in the number of virus-related deaths.
Illinois expects to get 109,000 doses of a COVID-19 vaccine developed by Pfizer if federal officials grant an emergency use authorization to the pharmaceutical company as expected, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Friday.
 

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