Governor JB Pritzker announced Tuesday that Illinois’ COVID-19 disaster proclamation will end in May, more than three years after the governor made the first emergency declaration. Pritzker said in a statement that the state’s public health emergency will end on May 11. The end date aligns with the federal government’s decision to end the national […]
Tag: Coronavirus
Posted inLocal News
Coroner disputes health department’s stats on number of COVID-related deaths in McHenry County
The McHenry County coroner is disputing the number of COVID-19 deaths in McHenry County, saying that the number is 53% less than what the health department reported. McHenry County Coroner Dr. Michael Rein on Tuesday released his office’s statistics on COVID deaths. His data shows 150 deaths in 2020, 112 in 2021 and 65 in […]
Posted inLocal News
Judge grants approval to $10.3 million settlement with NorthShore University HealthSystem over COVID-19 vaccine requirement
A judge reportedly granted approval of a $10.3 million settlement to workers who were fired after they had their religious exemption to the COVID vaccine denied by NorthShore University HealthSystem. 14 unnamed employees filed a lawsuit against the hospital system in October 2021 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. NorthShore University […]
Posted inState News
Illinois health director recommends residents wear masks as state sees ‘significant rise’ of COVID-19
Illinois health officials say the state is experiencing a “significant rise” of counties at elevated risk for COVID-19 and are recommending residents wear masks. COVID-19 and other respiratory viruses are continuing to rise across Illinois following the Thanksgiving holiday, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH). The IDPH said the anticipated “post-holiday surge” […]
Posted inLocal News
McHenry County health officials warn of ‘unusual increase’ in two different respiratory illnesses
Health officials say they are seeing an unusual increase in seasonal influenza and respiratory syncytial virus cases in McHenry County and urge residents to take steps to prevent the viruses. The McHenry County Department of Health (MCDH) said in a statement Thursday morning they have seen a “dramatic increase” in positive cases of influenza in McHenry […]
Posted inState News
Bipartisan legislative panel objects to continued COVID-19 emergency rules filed by Illinois Department of Public Health
(The Center Square) – A bipartisan panel of Illinois lawmakers on Tuesday objected to continued emergency rules filed by the Illinois Department of Public Health, with one member saying, “the pandemic is over.” Earlier this month, Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued another consecutive disaster proclamation for Illinois. With the proclamation, modified executive orders do away with […]
Posted inLocal News
NorthShore University HealthSystem agrees to pay over $10M following lawsuit over COVID-19 vaccine requirement
A lawsuit against NorthShore University HealthSystem has resulted in a proposed $10.3 million settlement after the hospital denied religious exemptions and fired hundreds of workers over its COVID-19 vaccine requirement. 14 unnamed employees filed a lawsuit against the hospital system on October 25 in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois. NorthShore University […]
Posted inLocal News
Lake, McHenry counties now at ‘high community level’ for COVID-19, CDC says
State health officials are now recommending masks in public indoor spaces for Lake and McHenry counties after the CDC upgraded the two counties to “high community level” for COVID-19. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) rated 15 Illinois counties, including Lake and McHenry, as having a high COVID-19 community level on Thursday. The […]
Posted inLocal News
CDC recommends masks in Lake County for high-risk people due to medium ‘community level’ COVID-19
The CDC is recommending masks for the elderly and the immunocompromised after Lake County was upgraded to “medium community level” of COVID-19 on Friday. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced on Friday that 24,646 new cases of COVID-19 and 46 deaths were reported since last Friday. As of Thursday night, 732 people were […]