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 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

BREAKING NEWS: Covid-19 numbers in Illinois are soaring again this week, pushing many regions at or near the same triggers which brought shutdowns during previous surges, according to the latest CDC numbers released today. Covid numbers have leapt tenfold since late July, led by the more infectious delta variant. Over 96 percent of all new cases are among unvaccinated individuals. All Illinois state zones are in the red, “high” levels of transmission and hospitalizations. All 102 counties are now into the red, “high” levels. The rate of new covid-19 cases per 100,000... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Illinois covid-19 numbers in all counties have broken into the “red alert” high level for infections, according to new statistics from the Illinois Department of Health. As of the latest stats released yesterday, in 100 of the 102 Illinois counties, the levels are at “substantial to high transmission.” In addition, ALL of the Illinois border counties in Iowa, Wisconsin, Indiana, Missouri, and Kentucky, are seeing a surge and are in the red. Zones four and five in Illinois are over 10 and 9.5 percent, respectively, with 12 percent being the number to trigger... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Covid-19 metrics are rapidly accelerating across Illinois, an ominous sign that more mitigations and a potential shutdown could be on the horizon. According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, over the previous three days, cases are up 7,858 (up 2,256 compared to last weekend). Individual day’s numbers are: Saturday: +3,034 Sunday: +2,259 Monday: +2,565 7-day Average: 2,713 (+321) Positivity: 4.9% (+0.3%) Hospitalizations: 1,384 (+184) Deaths: +29 (3-day total, up 18 or +163%) Last week, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker announced a return to covid mitigations... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Quad-Citians worried about the expiring eviction order at the end of July got a reprieve today from the CDC, which issued an order halting all evictions in areas of “substantial” and “high” covid transmission rates until at least October. Rock Island County is in the “substantial” zone and Scott County is in the “high” zone, meaning the entire Quad-Cities area and surrounding rural areas are covered. The CDC released the following statement today: CDC Director Dr. Rochelle Walensky today signed an order determining the evictions of... Read More

BREAKING NEWS: Illinois students preschool through 12 will be required to wear masks during school and indoor sports and activities, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker just announced. As previously reported on QuadCities.com, during an online press conference this afternoon, the governor announced that due to spiking covid rates, especially among unvaccinated people, there would be a return to some covid mitigations in Illinois. Pritzker announced the following mitigations will take place: Masks will be required in all preschool through grade 12 schools, daycares, and indoor sports. There will be no mask... Read More