Illinois reports 330 new cases of COVID-19 with three deaths, a Kane County man in his 90s, a Cook County man in his 60s and a Will County woman in her 50s. The number of Illinois deaths related to COVID-19 is now 19 with 1,865 cases reported in 35 counties, with Douglas, Marshall and Morgan now with confirmed cases. COVID-19 was discovered at two state prisons, as two correctional officers and one prisoner at Stateville Correctional Center and a contractual worker at Sheridan Correctional Center tested positive. Both prisons are on 14-day lockdowns.
The Illinois House has canceled next week’s session. State representatives were notified Wednesday morning. It’s the third straight week the House has canceled its session. Both the House and Senate were scheduled to be in session on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday next week. The Senate has not yet announced its plans.
Springfield Mayor Jim Langfelder has declared a local emergency for the city, one day after the city council agreed on the mayor’s powers under the ordinance. The mayor may make purchases under $100,000 with 24-hour notice to the council and may make expenditures previously approved by the council. The mayor may also impose a curfew, although he has said he has no immediate plans to do so.
Governor JB Pritzker announced the Illinois income tax filing deadline has been moved to July 15, matching the federal deadline which was also moved due to the coronavirus pandemic. Comptroller Susana Mendoza said her office will face cash-management challenges in both a short-term revenue delay for the state and a longer-term loss from lower payroll and sales tax receipts, but will continue to make payments to debt service, state payrolls, pensions, schools and social services.
Pritzker also announced more than $90 million in emergency assistance is available for small businesses. A $60 million emergency loan fund will support low-interest loans of up to $50,000, $20 million is in a downstate small business stabilization program providing grants of up to $25,000, and $14 million has been set aside for $25,000 grants for eligible bars and restaurants and up to $50,000 for eligible hotels.
An extension is coming for those who don’t have Real ID just yet. The federal government is extending the deadline to get one past October 1. The enhanced driver’s license was going to be required for anyone who wanted to board a plane for domestic travel and didn’t have a passport. The Department of Homeland Security has not established a new deadline. Until there is one, current Illinois driver’s licenses or ID cards will be accepted at airports, military bases or secure federal facilities. All drivers services facilities are closed statewide through April 7 in response to social distancing efforts.
With more cleaning wipes being used to block the spread of COVID-19, the Illinois Commerce Commission asks you to toss them in the trash and not flush them down the toilet. The ICC says wipes, tissues and paper towels are on the no-flush list because they can block drains and sewers.
The opening of the Henson Robinson Zoo in Springfield has been delayed until April 18 due to COVID-19. This year marks the zoo’s 50th anniversary. The zoo is operated by the Springfield Park District.
American Legion posts across the nation performing “buddy checks” on veterans during the stay-at-home period. The Legion says many veterans have problems such as post-traumatic stress disorder that can be made worse by isolation. The Legion invites anyone who knows a veteran to call to check on his or her well-being.
