The number of COVID-19 cases in Illinois continued to drop over the weekend with the state’s seven-day positivity rate on all tests remaining under 1%.

The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 298 new and confirmed cases on Sunday, along with 11 new deaths.

The Illinois State Board of Education is weighing whether to replace the state’s annual Illinois Assessment of Readiness standardized test for grades 3 through 8 with three separate tests spread out in a school year.

But teacher unions and education advocacy groups claim the proposed change would amount to more class time being dedicated to test preparation.

A recent survey of school districts resulted in multiple white papers putting increased teachers’ pay and benefits and relaxed certifications for teaching at the top of solutions to Illinois’ teacher shortage.

The Illinois Association of Regional Superintendents of Schools conducted the survey late last year with west central and southeastern Illinois reporting the worst shortages, NPR reported.

As of Friday, June 11, the State of Illinois has moved to Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois framework, marking the full reopening of all industries and activities. The Greenville Chamber of Commerce recently shared some information from the IL Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity, which details the Restore Illinois framework for Phase 5.

All business types, large-scale events, conventions, amusement parks, seated spectator events, among others, are allowed to operate at full capacity. Phase 5 also allows the outdoor mask requirement to be lifted in accordance with Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidance. In Phase 5, industry and activity-specific guidelines for operation provided by DCEO are discontinued. All businesses and activities previously subject to DCEO guidelines are allowed to resume normal operations.