Author: Capitol News

Local

COVID-19 hospitalizations continue to reach new second-wave highs

By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Hospitalizations for COVID-19 continue to climb as the entire state is either subject to increased mitigation measures or will be starting Wednesday. A Capitol News Illinois analysis of weekly hospitalization averages shows the average number of hospital beds in use by COVID-19 patients […]

Local

State announces 2nd round of broadband expansion grants

By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – State officials on Monday announced the opening of a second round of grant opportunities for businesses and organizations to expand access to broadband internet service in underserved communities. Speaking at a news conference in Staunton, about 40 miles northeast of St. Louis, Gov. […]

Local

2020 census counting to end on Oct. 15

By RAYMON TRONCOSOCapitol News Illinois | Report For Americartroncoso@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — The U.S. Supreme Court ruled the Trump administration could shorten the U.S. Census count on Tuesday, just hours after the Illinois government committed an additional $1 million to outreach. The Trump administration originally tried to shorten the end date […]

Local

More than 2 million mail-in ballots requested in Illinois

By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – More than 2 million Illinois voters have requested vote-by-mail ballots and more than 26,000 such ballots have already been returned, according to the Illinois State Board of Elections. That means about a quarter of the state’s registered voters had requested vote-by-mail ballots as […]

Local

Secretary of state extends driver’s license, ID expiration dates

By JERRY NOWICKICapitol News Illinoisjnowicki@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Expiration dates on Illinois driver’s licenses and state ID cards will be extended another three months, Secretary of State Jesse White announce Wednesday. White announced expirations for licenses and IDs will be extended until Feb. 1, 2021, so the cards will remain valid […]

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Pritzker defends decision on high school football

By PETER HANCOCKCapitol News Illinoisphancock@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker said Wednesday that he stands behind his decision to prohibit high school football for the fall season amid the COVID-19 pandemic, even as professional and many college leagues have decided to resume play. “Over the summer, we saw outbreaks across […]

Local

IDPH voting guidance specifies social distancing, recommends masks

By REBECCA ANZELCapitol News Illinoisranzel@capitolnewsillinois.com SPRINGFIELD — The Illinois Department of Public Health has released in-person voting guidelines for election authorities to curb the spread of COVID-19 this year. Changes announced last week include moving polling locations from senior living facilities, maintaining social distancing for voters and workers, creating outdoor spaces for […]