(Springfield-jm) -- As more cities are looking to speed up Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s five-phase reopening plan, a university researcher said data he reviewed suggests the stay-at-home orders kept case numbers down, but compared to other states there have been more deaths per capita. University of Illinois Springfield professor Gary Reinbold with the College of Public Affairs and Administration did an independent review of COVID-19 data based on what he said was the clear difference between Cook County and the rest of the state. He said the data he’s reviewed comparing downstate Illinois to other states with similar demographics suggested there have been fewer positive cases per capita. But then you look at the number of deaths that are being reported per capita, we actually have more, significantly more than those other states, 40 to 70 percent more.
(Springfield-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Insurance is reminding there’s help for those who have lost their job and subsequently their health care. If you no longer have job-based coverage or your Cobra benefits have expired, you may qualify for the health insurance marketplace’s special enrollment period says Get Covered Illinois Executive Director Laura Pellikan…
Get Covered Illinois Executive Director Laura Pellikan. Pellikan says if you haven’t lost your insurance yet but expect to, you can enroll before your coverage ends. Again, that website is: Get Covered Illinois dot gov.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 982 new cases of COVID-19 and 97 additional deaths. That brings the state’s total number of cases to 123,830 and the total number of deaths to 5,621. Locally, Vermilion County reported 1 new case bringing their total number to 43. McLean County reported 2 new cases bringing their total number to 223. Kankakee County reported 7 new cases bringing their total number to 1,202. Champaign County reported 8 new cases bringing their total number to 662. Ford and Iroquois Counties both reported no new cases leaving their totals at 21 and 132 respectively.
(Rantoul-jm) -- Barricades have been put up in front of a Rantoul theatre over safety concerns. Village officials put the barricades up over fears the Home Theatre’s marquee and possible north facade could fall. The village is working to get a quote to demolish the marquee. The Home Theatre was built in 1941 and closed in 1978.
(Paxton-jm) -- The Paxton pool will remain closed this summer. The Paxton Park District met last night where commissioners voted to keep the pool closed due to the Coronavirus.
(Rantoul-jm) -- Youth sports could be coming back to Rantoul this summer. Rantoul Recreation Department Director Luke Humphries says they hope to have practices and maybe even games…
Rantoul Recreation Department Director Luke Humphries. Sign ups will be taken through this Friday.
(Champaign County-jm) -- Champaign County home sales rose in April despite the stay at home order. Sales rose from 232 in April 2019 to 260 in April 2020. That’s an increase of 12.07 percent. The median price also rose in April from $149,250 to $158,250. Year to date home sales have been up 8.87 percent from 688 to 749.
(Springfield-jm) -- Who should be trusted to make policy decisions during a pandemic? That is one question of many, the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois wants to answer through a survey of experts in the fields of medicine, economics and social work. Experts in economics, public health, and vulnerable populations from across Illinois took part in the survey on pandemic policies. In the inaugural survey conducted from May 20-23, there were 27 responses with 11 experts in economics, and 8 each in public health and vulnerable populations. Author Brian Gaines, professor of political science at the U of I, said the survey included responses from a wide range of experts. Gaines said it was no surprise that medical experts and economists differed regarding when and how to reopen Illinois, with the medical field wanting to keep restrictions in place and the economists preferring to loosen restrictions. He said that economists were thinking about more than the bottom line.
(Springfield-jm) -- Members of the black legislative caucus are calling for a special session. Representative Kam Buckner of Chicago says the Illinois General Assembly should meet as soon as possible to discuss things like criminal justice reform, police accountability and economic development in minority communities…
State Representative Kam Buckner of Chicago. Buckner says there have already been several bills proposed addressing these issues that haven’t been debated yet.
(Undated-jm) -- The Illinois Department of Public Health is reporting 982 new cases of COVID-19 and 97 additional deaths. That brings the state’s total number of cases to 123,830 and the total number of deaths to 5,621. Locally when it comes to active and recovered cases, Vermilion County is reporting 25 have been released from isolation, 16 remain in isolation with 1 hospitalized. McLean County is reporting 184 have recovered, 21 remain in isolation with 3 hospitalized. Livingston County is reporting 31 have been removed from isolation with 4 active. Ford County is reporting 20 have been released from isolation. Iroquois County is reporting 97 have recovered, 28 remain in isolation and 3 are hospitalized. Kankakee County is reporting 543 have recovered, 601 remain active with 8 hospitalized. Champaign County is reporting 550 have recovered, 105 are active with 6 hospitalized.
(Fisher-jm) -- The Fisher village board approved a temporary outside cafe license. The license designates a portion of 3rd street in downtown for The Wild Hare Bar and Grill. The license allows the restaurant to open between 11 am and 8 pm and follow all CDC and public health guidelines.
(Gibson City-jm) -- Gibson City Police are alerting the public about a possible planned protest Friday. The police department says they are working with organizers and have not received any credible threats or believe anything other than peaceful protests will occur.
(Undated-jm) -- Illinois median home prices rose in April but sales and inventory slipped. WPXN’s Jason Madden has the details…
(Urbana-jm) -- Three people have been charged with their connections to riots and looting from over the weekend. 26 year old Andrian Bramlett of Rantoul and 23 year old Michael Woods of Chicago are charged with burglary for allegedly breaking into the Colonial Liquors store on Maplewood Drive and stealing several bottles of alcohol and cigarettes. 30 year old Shantee Mason-Tanzie of Rantoul was charged with burglary for allegedly being apart of a group breaking into the Circle K gas station on Prospect Avenue in Champaign. Police found alcohol and cigarettes in her vehicle.
