The coronavirus story is developing quickly in Illinois. Here are updates from WGLT's newsroom and our partners at Illinois Public Radio, NPR, and The Associated Press.
You can also see (or add to) our list of cancellations, closures, and rescheduled events. Find all of our coverage at WGLT.org/Coronavirus.
ILLINOIS CONSIDERS TEMPORARY ROLES FOR STUDENT NURSES TO HELP WITH COVID-19 FIGHT
2 p.m. Wednesday, April 1
The dean of Illinois State University's nursing college says she supports a plan being considered to temporarily allow graduating seniors to enter the workforce early to help during the coronavirus pandemic.
Gov. JB Pritzker said Tuesday the state was looking seriously at giving "temporary licenses" to nursing students who are mostly trained and nearly graduated. Ohio has already done something similar.
"We need healthcare workers, and we need to add to our workforce in every and any way we can," Pritzker said.
-- Ryan Denham | WGLT
KROGER OFFERS HERO BONUS TO FRONTLINE EMPLOYEES
1 p.m. Wednesday, April 1
The Kroger Family of Companies announced Tuesday that it will provide all hourly frontline grocery, supply chain, manufacturing, pharmacy and call center associates with a Hero Bonus.
The Hero Bonus is a $2 increase of their standard base rate of pay. The bonus will be applied to all hours worked from March 29 to April 18 and will be disbursed weekly.
“The Hero Bonus is just one more way we continue to convey our thanks and gratitude not only to our existing associates but also to the more than 30,000 new hires who have joined in the past two weeks and those who will soon join the Kroger Family of Companies,” said Rodney McMullen, Kroger chairman and CEO.
In addition to the bonus, Kroger will cover emergency paid leave for associates directly affected by COVID-19.
– Cindy Hernandez | WGLT
IHSA POSTPONES VOTE ON BASKETBALL FINALS SITE SELECTION
10 a.m. Wednesday, April 1
The Illinois High School Association has postponed its Board of Directors meeting on April 21 when it was expected to vote on site selections for the boys and girls basketball state finals starting in 2021.
Executive Director Craig Anderson said the 11-member board had planned to meet via video conference, but Anderson said he wants to wait until the board can meet in person to deliberate the matter.
“I want (board members) to be unencumbered in their discussion, as well as able to get clarity on any questions they may have on the bids,” Anderson said. “As convenient as online meeting resources are, I do sometimes have concerns that they can stifle conversation, especially with a group as large as ours.”
The next board meeting is scheduled for June 15, but Anderson said the IHSA could move the date or schedule a special meeting if it is able to meet in person sooner.
Illinois State University is bidding to remain host of the girls’ state basketball finals. Redbird Arena has hosted the tournament since 1990. Peoria is seeking to keep the boys finals, which it has hosted since 1996.
The IHSA is shifting its state finals format next season by condensing the finals into two weekends, one of the girls and one for the boys.
Bloomington High School Principal Tim Moore serves on the IHSA’s governing board.
-- Eric Stock | WGLT
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