Coronavirus

Gov. JB Pritzker has ordered schools throughout the state to remain closed for the rest of the semester because of the threat of the coronavirus.

McLean County health officials announced one more COVID-19 case on Friday, bringing the county’s total to 83.

The number of COVID-19 cases in Central Illinois remains relatively low compared to Chicago and other metropolitan areas across the country, but many hospitals are still struggling to maintain an adequate supply of N95 masks without rationing and some creativity.

“You are my hero for today."

That’s what one senior citizen said to East Central Illinois Area Agency on Aging (ECIAAA) Director Susan Real as she completed her last round of deliveries.

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.

The ACLU wants to make sure mobile tracking used to limit the spread of COVID-19 will protect privacy.

UPDATED 3:30 p.m. | A third person from McLean County has died after contracting COVID-19, officials said Thursday.

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.

The health care systems that run Bloomington-Normal’s two hospitals say the federal rescue package will only cover a small part of the revenue lost from the coronavirus.

Unit 5 students can’t be in class right now, but that doesn’t mean they can go without breakfast and lunch.

Many Democratic governors and a few Republican ones have called on the federal government to re-open the enrollment period for Affordable Care Act insurance programs.

U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis is skeptical whether that would do much.

"I think it's obviously open to discussion, but let's not kid ourselves, just opening up the ACA is not going to provide affordable health care coverage to people who are going to have to pay outrageous amounts on the exchanges," said Davis, the incumbent Republican in the 13th Congressional District.

OSF HealthCare’s new home-monitoring program is officially up and running for those with COVID-19 symptoms in the Bloomington-Normal and Peoria areas.

McLean County confirmed another COVID-19 case on Wednesday, while more than 70% of those who contracted the coronavirus having recovered.

Country Financial said Wednesday it will send refund checks to its auto customers who are driving less because of the coronavirus.

A new estimate suggests the $2 trillion coronavirus rescue package will send enough money to Illinois State and Illinois Wesleyan universities to help make up for losses from refunded room and board fees.

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.

McLean County Sheriff Jon Sandage has placed the jail on a 23-hour-per-day lockdown since last week to prevent the spread of COVID-19.

During a public conference call Tuesday night, state Rep. Dan Brady, R-Bloomington, said his office has been inundated with calls from individuals and businesses looking for help applying for unemployment benefits through the Illinois Department of Employment Security. 

A McLean County Board committee is eager to send money from a seldom-used loan program to businesses struggling because of COVID-19’s economic fallout.

UPDATED 8:45 a.m. | Things will be a little different Wednesday when McLean County’s political parties choose their leaders for the next two years.

McLean County health officials said Tuesday two more people have tested positive for the coronavirus, bringing the county’s total number of COVID-19 cases to 81.

With healthcare workers on the front lines of the COVID-19 pandemic, personal protective equipment has become vital to keep them safe. While masks are one of the most important tools used for protection, wearing one for long hours in a hot environment can cause extreme skin irritation.

UPDATED 8:15 a.m. | Central Illinois Regional Airport in Bloomington will receive $4.6 million from the coronavirus rescue package to help recover from the pandemic, the FAA announced Tuesday.