Illinois reports 899 new COVID-19 cases with 31 additional deaths. During Sunday’s daily state briefing on the novel coronavirus, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported the latest downstate deaths include a Montgomery County man in his 50s, a Kankakee County woman in her 80s and a Peoria County man in his 90s. The state total of COVID-19 cases is now 11,256 with 274 deaths.
Governor JB Pritzker has announced expanded eligibility to support child care needs for essential workers as well as increased funding for emergency child care centers and homes. During Sunday’s daily COVID-19 briefing, Pritzker said as of April 1 all essential workers now qualify for the state’s Child Care Assistance Program that covers most of the cost of that care. The child care centers and home will receive reimbursement 30 percent above the usual rate.








