Get the latest news from around Illinois.
Chicago Sun-Times: Public health order: Chicagoans confirmed with coronavirus or showing symptoms ordered to stay home
Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Thursday ordered all Chicagoans with confirmed cases of coronavirus — as well as those just exhibiting symptoms of the highly-contagious disease — to stay home to prevent community spread of the pandemic.
The mayor took the unprecedented step after Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady signed a public health order stating that those with confirmed cases or symptoms “may not leave their homes, go to work or meet in groups.”
Chicago Tribune: Coronavirus in Illinois updates: CPS closed until April 20 as state reports 134 new coronavirus cases, bringing total to 422, including 3 more deaths
At a Thursday afternoon briefing, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced three more deaths in Illinois associated with COVID-19: a Will County man in his 50s, a Cook County woman in her 80s, and a Florida woman in her 70s who died in Sangamon County. This brings the state death toll from the new coronavirus to four.
State officials also announced 134 new cases, bringing the statewide total to 422 in 22 counties.
The Center Square: Illinois unemployment claims surpass 60,000 in three days
More than 60,000 Illinoisans have applied for unemployment benefits in the past three days.
That’s according to the Illinois Department of Employment Security.
Crain's Chicago Business: Pritzker: Businesses get sales tax reprieve
The move, which came after a strong push from merchants, will help preserve liquidity for companies that now have little if any income, but still face expenses.
The Center Square: Deadline for Illinois lawmakers to approve ‘fair maps’ proposal approaches as session days canceled
The clock is ticking for Illinois lawmakers to put a proposal on the November ballot asking voters to approve a change to how legislative maps are drawn, but session days continue to be canceled amid a viral pandemic.
A few years ago, a citizen led initiative received nearly 600,000 signatures for a ballot initiative looking to create an independent commission to draw legislative maps instead of the boundaries being crafted by politicians. That was challenged by an attorney close to longtime House Speaker Michael Madigan and thrown off the ballot.
WBEZ: Advocates and families raise alarm about soap and cleaning supplies in Illinois prisons
Illinois prisons are a tinderbox for a potential coronavirus outbreak, but advocates and family of prisoners say the Department of Corrections isn’t providing the basic supplies to keep both staff and prisoners safe.
While some advocates praised the department’s stated plan to protect prisons, they say that some individual facilities aren’t executing it.
Crain's Chicago Business: Lightfoot: $100M loan fund for businesses hit by coronavirus
The fund includes a $25 million grant by the City of Chicago, $50 million in capital from the Treasurer’s Chicago Community Catalyst Fund, $10 million from Goldman Sachs’ Urban Investment Group, $1 million from Fifth Third Bank and $250,000 from Clayco Construction.
Chicago Sun-Times: Cook County launches COVID-19 text alert system and phone hotline
Cook County launched a text message alert system and phone hotline Thursday in response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Anyone who wants to opt in to receive text message alerts from county health officials should text alertcook to 888-777.
The Center Square: Report finds Illinois metros struggle with job creation
A new report places nearly all Illinois metro areas in the bottom half of the country when it comes to sustained job creation.
The annual study, released by the Milken Institute, also looks at wage and salary growth and high-tech GDP growth to reach its rankings.