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.
HEARTLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE OFFERS PPE TO HOSPITALS
10:59 a.m. Thursday, April 2
Heartland Community College has donated personal protective equipment to Abraham Lincoln Memorial Hospital in Lincoln and Advocate BroMenn Medical Center to help with the response to the pandemic. The supplies are from the stock usually used for lab classes in health sciences programs. HCC in Normal has moved to online education for the rest of the semester.
Jennifer O’Connor, dean and department chair of health sciences, said a nursing faculty member works in the emergency room at the hospital in Lincoln and mentioned the need.
“I was also contacted by Laurie Round, the chief nurse executive at Advocate BroMenn regarding supplies,” O’Connor said. “We collected N95 masks, surgical masks, protective gowns, safety goggles, assorted other PPE like booties and hair covers, and gloves from the (HCC) labs.”
Heartland donated about 400 gowns and 500 masks.
OSF St. Joseph in Bloomington also received PPE supplies from Heartland’s health sciences department.
Many hospitals and healthcare providers are seeking donations to help protect healthcare professionals, their patients, and the community. Items the public can contribute include hand sanitizer, goggles/safety glasses, single-use gloves, and disinfectant wipes. The public should contact any healthcare provider before making a donation at their site.
— Charlie Schlenker | WGLT
MCLEAN COUNTY MUSEUM OF HISTORY OFFERS QUARANTINE CONCERT
10:59 a.m. Thursday, April 2
The McLean County Museum of History is partnering with a platform for experimental musicians to share work during the coronavirus pandemic. The museum said an April 11 evening of performances will emphasize central Illinois artists through PT.FWD and called the Quarantine Concerts.
The concerts are supposed to continue access to experimental sound arts during the shelter in place period, and to provide artists with a platform for financial support. The artists will receive 100% of the proceeds from donations received during the performances.
The concert on April 11 is free for streaming.
— Charlie Schlenker | WGLT
DUCKS AND CHICKS GROW ONLINE
10:59 a.m. Thursday, April 2
The McLean County Extension office usually offers chicken incubators and egg hatching to elementary schools during the spring. This year that has to be online.
The Illinois Ag in the Classroom program is offering embryology online with videos every weekday about incubating and hatching eggs.
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The McLean County Extension office also has other Ag in the Classroom resourcesand is incubating duck eggs andposting daily updates.
— Charlie Schlenker | WGLT
DRIVE-BY ART
10:59 a.m. Thursday, April 2
The Eaton Gallery in downtown Bloomington is offering a front window art exhibit through April 20 allowing the public to enjoy local art while practicing physical and social distancing. The exhibit “The Illuminated Pages of Ours” features contemporary narrative works by 11 local artists, depicting an illuminated manuscript in their own style. There are works by Mary Jo Adam, Angel Ambrose, Janean Baird, Jeannie Breitweiser, Doug DeLong/Veronica Strotzka, Herb Eaton, Joann Goetzinger, Rick Harney, Jane Osborn, Melanie Shellito, and Brian Simpson/Rachel Cofer.
The pieces reference the style and history of illuminated manuscripts, using chosen or handcrafted typography and imagery.
The artists invite the public to try and match each contemporary illuminated manuscript with the artist who created it.
— Charlie Schlenker | WGLT
SPECIAL OLYMPICS CANCELS SUMMER GAMES
7:45 a.m. Thursday, April 2
Special Olympics Illinois has canceled its 2020 State Summer Games in Bloomington-Normal due to the coronavirus.
The organization called it a "difficult decision."
"We know how hard our athletes continue to train at home and work to stay in shape both physically and mentally," President and CEO Dave Breen said in a statement Wednesday night. "The Special Olympics Illinois team is working just as hard to plan athlete-centric sports festivals, when it is safe to return to competition. We are establishing a task force that includes athletes to plan events that will highlight the spirit and determination our competitors demonstrate each and every day."
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V1n0GKN8o4k
— Ryan Denham | WGLT
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