East Moline has canceled its Labor Day Parade, originally slated for Sept. 6, due to rising covid-19 cases in the area. There was no announcement as to whether it would be rescheduled, and it’s assumed it will not return until next year.  Read More

Illinois is back under statewide restrictions TODAY in response to rising covid-19 numbers. What do Illinois residents need to know about the restrictions, and how could there possibly be MORE restrictions coming in the future? Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced last week that beginning today, there would be new statewide restrictions to attempt to stop the spread of the virulent new delta variant, particularly among unvaccinated people, who have been hit particularly hard by it. “Nearly all Illinoisans who are hospitalized are those who are unvaccinated. From January to July, 98 percent... Read More

Illinois returns to a new mask mandate and other restrictions TOMORROW due to the spread of the delta variant of covid-19 across the state, Gov. JB Pritzker announced this week. What does that mean for YOU and what are the new restrictions? Everyone is required to wear a mask indoors in public settings — everywhere from businesses to government buildings to other venues — and to social distance at outdoor events. The mask mandate applies to anyone over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status, echoing the same mask mandate brought back to Chicago two weeks ago, and to Cook County... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Illinois is bringing back a statewide indoor mask mandate starting Monday, a vaccine mandate for all school employees in P-12 and all employees and students in higher education facilities statewide, and other restrictions, Gov. JB Pritzker said in his press conference this morning. The mask mandate applies to anyone over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status, echoing the same mask mandate brought back to Chicago two weeks ago, and to Cook County surrounding Chicagoland last week. All educational system and healthcare system employees will be mandated to get the covid-19... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: According to several reports, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker will announce early Thursday a covid-19 vaccine mandate for all school employees in K-12 and higher education facilities statewide, with potential further mitigations and possible virtual learning plans looming. All educational system employees will be mandated to get the covid-19 vaccination or submit to regular testing for covid, reports say. Sources also say that there is a potential that Illinois schools could go to a hybrid model or full virtual learning if covid-19 numbers do not improve. Already, several schools,... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Illinois is bringing back a statewide indoor mask mandate, and Governor JB Pritzker will announce it, and possibly other statewide covid-19 mitigations, in a press conference tomorrow (Thursday), several sources are saying tonight. The mask mandate is expected to apply to anyone over the age of two, regardless of vaccination status, echoing the same mask mandate brought back to Chicago two weeks ago, and to Cook County surrounding Chicagoland last week, as reported by QuadCities.com. QuadCities.com had previously reported this afternoon that new mitigations were being considered... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said today “greater mitigations” are coming if covid-19 numbers continue to spike massively in the state. Illinois Department of Public Health officials reported 4,451 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and 40 related deaths Wednesday, that news following the state hitting its highest one-day total in covid cases since late January and its highest week for infections in months last week. “If we are not able to bring these numbers down, if hospitals continue to fill, if the hospital beds and ICUs get full like they are in Kentucky... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Illinois Governor JB Pritzker signed into law today sweeping new programs to overhaul the state’s mental health care system, including groundbreaking new laws regarding sending mental health professionals to 9-1-1 and 9-8-8 calls. Under the new law, the Community Emergency Services And Support Act, Illinois is just the third state in the nation to now require insurance to cover mental health disorders and substance abuse issues. It also requires officials receiving 9-1-1 and 9-8-8 calls involving mental health issues to include not just a police response but response from a... Read More

It’s always important for performers to get out in front of a live audience to test material, and it’s fun and exciting to be in the audience listening to something being created and shared for the first time. Along those lines, and because we at QuadCities.com love our local comedy scene, we’re presenting a new feature, the Open Mic Listings for the week, courtesy of Quad Cities Comedy Connection. If you’re an aspiring performer and looking for a spot to get some stage time, this is your place to check the schedule! And if you’re looking for a fun and interesting night out and want to... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: The latest surge of covid-19 delta variant infections has roared through Illinois, pushing the state to its highest one-day total in covid cases since late January and its highest week for infections in months. This comes the same day that new indoor mask mandates go into effect throughout the entirety of Cook County, requiring everyone over the age of two to be masked in indoor public spaces, regardless of whether they’re vaccinated. Businesses also must post signs on all entrances telling customers about the rule. Given that the new, wider mask mandates into Cook County come... Read More