With Major League Baseball preparing to start its 2020 season, two members of the Chicago White Sox have tested positive for the coronavirus.
The players opted to remain anonymous, according to the team, but will need to test negative for the virus on consecutive occasions before they will be allowed to rejoin the club.
Elsewhere, Illinois drivers who need emissions tests for their cars, after months of those sites being closed due to the pandemic, will get a big boost, as hours will be extended for at least two months.
Here are the coronavirus headlines from around the state of Illinois:
Illinois Reports 639 New Coronavirus Cases, 6 Additional Deaths
Over the last 24 hours, Illinois has recorded just six coronavirus deaths, the smallest increase in the statewide death toll since March 25, according to data from the Illinois Department of Public Health.
In all, 7,020 people have passed away from coronavirus-related complications, according to the IDPH . Sunday's 639 new cases of the virus bring the statewide total to 147,251 since the pandemic began.
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More than 27,000 new test results were returned to state labs, with a rolling seven-day positivity rate of 2.55 percent.
White Sox Players Test Positive for COVID-19
Two Chicago White Sox players have tested positive for coronavirus and are currently in isolation in Chicago, the team announced Sunday morning.
Per Major League Baseball’s return to play protocols, all players, staff and front office members were tested for coronavirus. The positive tests for the two players were announced in a press release.
According to the team, the unidentified players are both asymptomatic, and are currently being monitored by White Sox medical personnel. Both players opted to remain anonymous.
Emissions Testing Site Hours Extended
Vehicle emissions testing sites in Illinois are expanding their hours in July and August.
The 12 facilities will open earlier and remain open later on three days of the week through the end of August.
Emissions testing sites reopened last month after closing due to the coronavirus pandemic, and Illinois EPA Director John Kim said the change is intended to make testing more convenient during the summer.
