Illinois has surpassed 3,000 confirmed COVID-19 cases. In Friday’s daily state briefing, 488 new cases were reported to bring the state total to 3,026. The state reports eight new deaths to raise the state total of fatalities to 34. The Illinois Department of Public Health reports nearly 86 percent of the fatalities are to people age 60 or over. The coronavirus has been confirmed in 40 counties with Bureau, Henry and Iroquois the latest to report cases.
Governor JB Pritzker has activated approximately 50 Illinois National Guard soldiers from the 3637th Maintenance Company in Springfield to help with an Illinois Department of Public Health COVID-19 testing site in Bloomington. The site opens Saturday with medical support from a Peoria-based unit.
Governor JB Pritzker announced increases in SNAP food benefits and access. Pritzker’s office said benefits for many recipients will double with the nearly $80 million increase. The state has approved additional funding for programs serving the homeless, as well as stipends of up to $3,000 for day care centers licensed to operate during the pandemic.
