Starting Saturday evening, Illinois should feel a little quieter than usual. Our politics team has the latest on a just-announced executive order from Gov. J.B. Pritzker to curb spread of the new coronavirus.

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the closure of the city’s public libraries and parks as of 5 p.m. Saturday.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ordered Illinois residents to stay home as the number of novel coronavirus cases in the state climbed to 585 on Friday.

“Everyone deserves to be protected, especially during these uncertain times, and we are obligated to ensure all members of our community feel safe, including those behind bars,” said Cook County State’s Attorney Kim Foxx.

If trends continue, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Illinois could reach 3,400 by next Friday, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

“Quarantine shaming” — calling out those not abiding by social distancing rules — is part of a new and startling reality for Americans who must navigate a world of rapidly evolving social norms in the age of COVID-19.

For many homeless people in Chicago, staying safely sheltered and isolated during the coronavirus outbreak simply isn’t an option. How one nonprofit is helping people in need.

Chicago’s public schools were set to reopen by the end of the month, but students will instead remain out of class until April 21, according to Mayor Lori Lightfoot.

While the state of Illinois has enacted a partial shutdown for restaurants and bars and nixed big public gatherings, one local community has taken it a step further.

Three more people have died from the novel coronavirus in Illinois, where the number of people who have tested positive for the illness now stands at 422 across 22 counties, state officials said Thursday.

For weeks, people have been told to stay home if they are sick. Now, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health are issuing a public health order making that a requirement.

Concern among Americans that they or a loved one will be infected by the coronavirus rose dramatically in the past month, with two-thirds of the country now saying they’re at least somewhat concerned about contracting the COVID-19 illness.

Gov. J.B. Pritkzer on Wednesday declared the availability of testing for COVID-19 – or the lack thereof – to be the greatest challenge Illinois has faced in combating the outbreak. But he’s hopeful that will soon change.

State officials on Wednesday announced the largest single-day jump in the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Illinois. The total now stands at 288 positive tests for the virus across 17 counties in the state.

What can older adults and their families do to keep them safe during this crisis while still getting the food and care they need? We speak with Dr. John Holton, director of strategic initiatives at UIC’s Jane Addams Center for Social Policy and Research.

The Sheriff’s Department says it has placed a “high priority” on reducing the number of nonviolent, low-level offenders in its custody, particularly those who are at an increased risk of the new coronavirus.