Articles written by Jerry Nowicki
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Cleared data backlog leads to spike in Friday's COVID-19 tests, cases
SPRINGFIELD — New confirmed cases of COVID-19 and the number of tests results reported skyrocketed Friday, reflecting the clearing of a data backlog in the state’s public reporting of case counts. The backlog lasted... — Updated 9/4/2020
As state enters Phase 4 Friday, Pritzker 'not afraid' to move backwards if COVID-19 cases surge
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker announced a new tool to track county-by-county progress in the fight against the novel coronavirus Thursday, but as the state readied to enter the next phase of reopening, he also warned that he... — Updated 6/25/2020
New guidelines released for return to in-person education
SPRINGFIELD - Illinois released new guidelines for schools, colleges and universities to return to in-person learning in the fall, but leaders warned those plans could change if... — Updated 6/24/2020
Pritzker to extend stay-at-home order, school closures
K-12 schools will remain closed and a stay-at-home order for Illinoisans will remain in place through April 30, as Gov. JB Pritzker announced during his daily COVID-19 briefing Tuesday that he plans on extending those orders on... — Updated 3/31/2020
State releases Phase 4 guidance as hospitalization numbers continue to decline
SPRINGFIELD — Restaurants across the state are set to open for indoor dining Friday among other additions to allowable activities under the state’s Restore Illinois plan. The state on Monday released new guidance for reopening... — Updated 6/23/2020
State files emergency rules for long-term care facilities
The state health department filed emergency rules Thursday mandating long-term care facilities to develop testing plans to better protect residents and ensure they are responding to the COVID-19 pandemic appropriately. “The... — Updated 5/29/2020
Child care on pace for mass May 29 reopening, governor says
SPRINGFIELD — All of the state’s 5,000-plus child care providers not in operation will be advised to reopen Friday, May 29, provided the state’s four regions under Gov. JB Pritzker’s reopening plan continue to progress... — Updated 5/26/2020
Pritzker details contact tracing pilot effort, defends misdemeanor emergency rule
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced the launch of Illinois’ contact tracing program and defended an emergency rule filed Friday to allow for misdemeanor charges against businesses defying his stay-at-home order.... — Updated 5/19/2020
Pritzker warns of 'consequences' for businesses, counties opening early
SPRINGFIELD — The state saw its largest daily increase in COVID-19-related deaths with 192 Wednesday as Gov. JB Pritzker warned business owners and local governments of consequences they will face if they defy his stay-at-home... — Updated 5/14/2020
Pritzker says session needed, would consider withholding funds from counties reopening early
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday he would consider withholding federal pass-through funds to counties ignoring his stay-at-home order and said it “would be best” for the General Assembly to meet before the end of... — Updated 5/13/2020
Pritzker reports modest hospitalization progress
SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker said the state is making modest progress in terms of COVID-19 hospitalizations and that his stay-at-home order will continue to be enforced at a local, not statewide, level. The Illinois Department... — Updated 5/5/2020
Pritzker blasts GOP rep's lawsuit, says 2 downstate counties have highest death rates
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker urged southern Illinoisans to continue to comply with a stay-at-home order and named a pair of counties where the rate of those killed by the virus is higher than in Cook County. As he was speaking... — Updated 4/28/2020
Pritzker predicts smaller mid-May COVID-19 peak
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday the state’s COVID-19 peak could come in mid-May and he is examining the current stay-at-home order for potential changes. The governor made the comments during a Washington Post Live... — Updated 4/22/2020
Intensive care bed, ventilator use relatively stable from a week ago
SPRINGFIELD — The percentage of intensive care beds and ventilators in use in Illinois remained relatively flat since last week as state officials on Tuesday announced another encouraging sign that Illinois is “flattening the... — Updated 4/15/2020
State again sees largest single-day increase in COVID-19 deaths with 82
SPRINGFIELD — Another 82 people have died from complications of novel coronavirus disease in Illinois and the state announced more than 1,529 new cases Wednesday as Gov. JB Pritzker said testing still lags behind public health... — Updated 4/10/2020
Pritzker: 'I've given up' on adequate federal COVID-19 response
SPRINGFIELD — Gov. JB Pritzker said Sunday he has “given up” on an adequate coronavirus response from the federal government and announced an expansion of emergency child care during his daily COVID-19 briefing Sunday in... — Updated 4/6/2020
Death toll surpasses 200 in Illinois
SPRINGFIELD – COVID-19 has now claimed 210 lives in Illinois as officials reported 53 more deaths and 1,209 new confirmed cases Friday during a news conference at a Chicago convention center that will house patients with the... — Updated 4/5/2020
Stateville inmate among eight more dead
SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 461 new cases of COVID-19 and eight new deaths in the state Monday as an outbreak worsened at Stateville Correctional Center in Crest Hill. IDPH said one of the... — Updated 3/31/2020
Pritzker keeps pressure in the feds
SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker announced new measures benefiting the homeless and people on supplemental nutrition programs Friday and continued to pressure the federal government for further, centralized action in response to... — Updated 3/28/2020
More are suing Sterigenics
SPRINGFIELD — The number of parties suing medical supply sterilization company Sterigenics on claims that its ethylene oxide gas emissions caused serious health problems grew to 73 last week, according to a law firm representing... — Updated 12/18/2019
Sterigenics plans to 'exit' Willowbrook
SPRINGFIELD — Sterigenics, a medical supply sterilization company linked to increased cancer risk in the DuPage County area, said Monday it plans to “exit its ethylene oxide sterilization operations in Willowbrook.” Since... — Updated 10/2/2019
Judge paves way for Sterigenics to reopen
SPRINGFIELD — A DuPage County judge approved a consent order Friday that will allow Sterigenics, a medical supply sterilization company linked to increased cancer rates in the Willowbrook area, to reopen if it meets stringent... — Updated 9/11/2019
