An Illinois state representative says data and science show Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s COVID-19 mitigation, which was among the strictest in the nation, may have made the death rate worse in Illinois compared to neighboring states that had fewer economic restrictions.

Illinois is the tenth most restrictive state in the nation when it comes to COVID-19 mitigation, according to WalletHub. The consumer finance website ranked the states based on a range of factors like face mask requirements and workplace temperature screenings and more.

DuPage, Kane, Lake and McHenry counties have the OK from the state to allow limited indoor dining, the state’s department of public health announced today.

The four counties are moving to the same status as the city of Chicago and Cook and Will counties. Restaurants, bars and social events there can welcome 25 guests or 25 percent capacity per room.

All Chicago teachers should prepare to work from home Wednesday and, if locked out of their online classrooms for refusing to go into school buildings, get ready to report to picket lines Thursday, according to a Monday night union communication to members.

“Our efforts at the bargaining table will be reinforced by the unity you’re showing through actions,” the email said.

In the past several days, as McHenry and Lake counties inched closer to COVID-19 metrics that would allow the region to loosen restrictions on businesses meant to slow the pandemic, Richard Walker’s Pancake House in Crystal Lake received a noticeable uptick in the number of phone calls it received.

“Everyone is calling and seeing if we’re open. It’s kind of nice,” said Barb Kaminsky, assistant manager of the brunch spot. “We’re ecstatic. Everyone wants to get back to work.”

The Illinois House has canceled all but one scheduled session day for February.

When lawmakers do return to Springfield for one day Feb. 10, it could be at the capitol building and could be to adopt House Rules for the new General Assembly.

Illinois will transition away from the use of cash bail as a determinant of pretrial detention by 2023 after lawmakers passed a wide-ranging bill reforming several aspects of the criminal justice system in the state.

The legislation, which now awaits Gov. JB Pritzker’s signature before it can be finalized into law, would shift Illinois’ pretrial detention and release system to one that is non-monetary.

A federal prosecutor said additional criminal charges are expected against Crestwood Mayor Louis Presta that could “expand the time frame” of the allegations against him.

Assistant U.S. Attorney James Durkin told a judge Tuesday to expect a superseding indictment in Presta’s case “some time in March.” He said the new indictment would contain allegations about “related conduct to what’s already charged.”

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced that all high school sports are now allowed to play in regions that are in Phase 4 of the State’s reopening plan. Regions 1, 2, 3, 5 and 6 now meet the criteria for looser restrictions.

Most winter “lower-risk” sports like gymnastics, swimming and badminton are already practicing. The Illinois High School Sports Association is meeting on Wednesday to decide when they can begin competitions and when the only “higher-risk” winter sport, basketball, can start.

The state’s highest court deadlocked Friday over how to interpret a state law that outlines the procedure judges must follow to sentence a minor who is found guilty of a crime to a state juvenile detention center.

The case, out of Rock Island County, raised the question of whether, under Illinois law, a judge must state directly in the court record that commitment to a juvenile detention facility is the “least restrictive” sentencing option.

Two measures that would make it harder to convert some small apartment buildings into single-family homes in rapidly gentrifying neighborhoods advanced Tuesday as part of a renewed effort from city officials to boost Chicago’s supply of affordable housing.

The ordinances would require property owners in Pilsen and near the 606 Bloomingdale Trail to apply for special permission from city officials in order to transform two- to six-unit apartment buildings into single-family homes.

While Peoria Public Schools is still offering virtual learning programs, the majority of students chose to return to in-person instruction the week of January 19.

About 9,500 of the district’s 12,000 students returned to school that week, many of them for the first time since schools were shut down last March.

Two Joliet Park District board members appear to have different views on the discovery of what is being termed “potential financial improprieties” now under investigation.

Park board President Sue Gulas on Monday made a statement that staff identified the problem while one fellow board member continued to claim to have had a role.

City of Springfield department leaders will start presenting proposed budgets for fiscal year 2022 Tuesday.

The meeting with Springfield City Council members is the first of four budget hearing sessions that will be held over the next nine days. On Feb. 23, the proposed budget will be voted on ahead of fiscal year 2022, which begins March 1.