Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Sun-Times: Three more Illinois coronavirus deaths announced; Pritzker also details medical equipment shortages
Illinois officials on Monday announced three more people have died from the novel coronavirus, while Gov. J.B. Pritzker also publicly outlined the state’s federal requests for personal protective equipment and other medical supplies, including respirators for some of the most serious cases.
After several national television appearances in which Pritzker pointed the finger at President Donald Trump and his administration for a lack of medical essentials, Pritzker detailed those requests while also announcing the partnership of the Illinois Manufacturers’ Association and the Illinois Biotechnology Innovation Organization to ramp up in-state production of supplies like masks, gloves, gowns, ventilators and sanitizers.
The Center Square: Pritzker goes after federal government for lack of supplies
Gov. J.B. Pritzker used his daily news conference Monday to hammer the federal government failing to deliver needed supplies amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It’s the federal government’s job to make sure that a nurse being properly equipped in Illinois doesn’t come at the cost of a doctor being ready for work in California,” he said.
Chicago Tribune: New Illinois National Guard coronavirus testing site for first responders and health care workers reaches capacity after four hours
The Illinois National Guard on Monday started testing first responders and health care workers for the coronavirus at a newly opened site on the Northwest Side, prompting a huge response that led to the facility hitting its daily quota after less than four hours.
About 115 recently activated service members are assigned to the testing site, which is in a former vehicle emissions testing center near Harlem Avenue and Irving Park Road. The site will only do 250 tests a day on a first-come-first-served basis, according to the Chicago Fire Department.
Chicago Sun-Times: State cuts red tape for retired doctors, nurses who want to rejoin front lines to fight coronavirus
Following direction from Gov. J.B. Pritzker, state officials announced Monday that they are allowing healthcare workers with expired licenses to temporarily restore them to provide more doctors and nurses to fight the coronavirus pandemic.
The rule changes will allow physicians, nurses and other healthcare workers with licenses that have recently expired to reapply without having to navigate the normal bureaucratic hurdles to do so.
The Center Square: Some Illinois business owners look for loans to stay afloat amid pandemic
A number of small business owners struggling during the COVID-19 outbreak took part in a teleconference Monday to learn about federal disaster loans.
Illinois Congressman Rodney Davis and the Small Business Administration arranged the conference call.
Chicago Tribune: In email exchange, Mayor Lori Lightfoot offers to withhold Chicago alderman’s pay to help buy equipment for first responders amid coronavirus outbreak
Mayor Lori Lightfoot responded to a City Council critic’s call for all city elected officials to take a 15-day furlough to help pay for new equipment to protect first responders from the coronavirus by offering to dock his pay, according to an email exchange between the two.
Southwest Side Ald. Raymond Lopez, 15th, called Friday for the 50 members of the City Council, the mayor, treasurer and clerk to forgo their salaries for 15 days. On Saturday, he sent an email to Lightfoot and several members of her cabinet that was obtained by the Tribune, expressing the need for coronavirus-related literature to be translated into “commonly-spoken foreign languages” and offering volunteers from his ward.
Crain's Chicago Business: State partners with manufacturers, bio group in fight against COVID-19
Under the plan, the lllinois Manufacturers Association will match industrial companies that are prepared to shift production to items such as masks and ventilators with buyers and help them navigate often onerous federal rules.
Chicago Sun-Times: Cook County judges to review inmates’ cases to drastically reduce jail population
Teams of Cook County judges this week will begin reviewing thousands of criminal cases with a goal of reducing the number of inmates in jail in response to the coronavirus pandemic.
Chief Criminal Court Judge LeRoy K. Martin Jr. Monday ordered the review in response to an emergency motion filed last week by Public Defender Amy Campanelli that seeks the immediate release of some inmates, including those who are older, have health conditions, couldn’t pay their bonds, or are charged with low-level, non-violent felony and misdemeanor crimes.
Daily Herald: In unprecedented move for local town, Elk Grove issues $2.8 million coronavirus relief package
In an unprecedented move for a local municipality, Elk Grove Village Mayor Craig Johnson on Monday signed a proclamation establishing a $2.8 million coronavirus relief package that gives water bill credits to residents and waives various licensing fees for businesses.
“We know this outbreak has placed plenty of economic stress on our families and our businesses, so if there’s something we can do as a village to make things just a little bit easier, we’re gonna do it,” Johnson said in a video message posted to the village’s website and social media channels.
Chicago Tribune: Facing ‘unprecedented’ number of claims, Illinois urges laid off workers to apply for benefits online
The state of Illinois, which is working through an unprecedented number of unemployment claims in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic, is urging those who have lost their jobs to file for benefits online.
Using the Department of Employment Security’s at www2.illinois.gov/ides is the “safest, easiest, and fastest route” to submitting a claim and will free up the phone lines for those without internet or computer access, or who encounter technical difficulties submitting online, said spokeswoman Rebecca Cisco.
Belleville News-Democrat: Illinois dispels coronavirus rumors about hunting seasons, highways
With the fast moving developments in the worldwide coronavirus pandemic, Illinois state agencies are sending out messages to dispel rumors.
Here’s the latest in the state’s battle against disinformation regarding COVD-19.
Chicago Tribune: Chicago plans to rent thousands of hotel rooms for coronavirus isolation in move to preserve space in hospitals
The city of Chicago plans to rent thousands of hotel rooms to be used for people diagnosed with the new coronavirus or those who believe they’ve been exposed, in an effort to stop the spread of the virus and relieve the burden on hospitals.
By Tuesday, the city will have more than 1,000 rooms in a combined five Chicago hotels available to isolate people who are mildly ill with COVID-19, who fear they’ve been exposed, and for those who are awaiting test results. The city already has an agreement to rent rooms in the 215-room Hotel One Sixty-Six Magnificent Mile, formerly a Cambria hotel.
Chicago Tribune: City offers transportation discounts, including credits for unused CTA passes and free cabs for the disabled, to help residents cope with coronavirus
The city announced on Tuesday a variety of financial breaks on transportation, including discounted Divvy memberships, credits for unused CTA passes and free cab rides for passengers with disabilities, to help residents cope with the coronavirus pandemic.
“We want essential services to be accessible, for people to get essential goods, and for essential workers to get to where they need to go, especially first responders and health care workers,” Gia Biagi, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Transportation, told reporters.
Daily Herald: West Dundee offers up to $1 million in TIF incentives to senior housing developer
West Dundee is offering financial incentives to assist with development of a senior housing facility along the Route 31 corridor.
The Westbrook at Canterfield residential community aims to address a demand for assisted living and memory care in an area where such housing options are lacking, said Tim Scott, community and economic development director. Proposed by Iowa-based Nelson Construction & Development, the project calls for building 126 units on a vacant 9-acre property at Route 31 and Angle Tarn.
The Center Square: New bill would require school boards to explain reasons for firing school leaders
One state lawmaker wants the public to know more information when a school administrator is fired, including how much it could cost taxpayers.
State Rep. Tom Morrison, R-Palatine, has introduced a bill to force local school boards to share details about the early termination of a district superintendent or chief executive officer.