Illinois public health officials Monday reported 2,294 new COVID-19 cases with 59 additional deaths. Laboratories processed 21,297 tests in the previous 24 hours. The rolling seven-day positive test rate dropped to 14 percent. State totals are now 96,485 cases including 4,234 deaths.
Governor JB Pritzker elaborated on reports that businesses that open in violation of his stay-at-home order could face charges. Pritzker said the law is already in place that allows businesses to be charged with a Class A misdemeanor for violating the order. The governor said he does not want filing charges to be the first step toward compliance.
Governor Pritzker announced formation of the Illinois Contact Tracing Collaborative to track past locations of those with COVID-19 to help stop spread of the virus. Pilot programs are being set up in St. Clair and Lake counties. The Illinois Department of Public Health will support the funding of new hires which will be made by local health departments. Anyone interested in becoming a contact tracer may indicate interest through a form on the IDPH website.
Republican leaders in the House and Senate announced a resolution to remove the progressive income tax referendum from the November ballot. House Minority Leader Jim Durkin and Senate Minority Leader Bill Brady announced the resolution Monday morning, saying the proposed graduated income tax would result in tax hikes up to 47 percent for more than 100,000 small businesses. A spokesperson for the governor said the issue should remain in front of voters.
