State health officials Thursday reported 1,676 COVID-19 patients were being treated in hospitals throughout Illinois, the fewest since Aug. 12.

Of those hospitalized, 409 are in intensive care, according to Illinois Department of Public Health records.

Two districts are now off of the Illinois State Board of Education’s probation list after an Effingham County judge granted a temporary restraining order.

The Cowden-Herrick, CUSD 3A, Beecher City CUSD 20, and Red Hill CUSD 10 filed a lawsuit alleging ISBE doesn’t have the authority to strip their recognition based on whether the schools adhere to the mandate.

Illinois State Senator Steve McClure (R-Springfield), joins Steve Bertrand on Chicago’s Afternoon News to explain why Senate Republicans are unveiling a new legislative package that will focus on funding the police, increasing accountability for gun crimes, bail, juvenile court, and mental health reforms and community empowerment.