Illinois reached a grim milestone in its fight against coronavirus Thursday, topping one million cases since the pandemic first began.
Meanwhile, Chicago officials are set to deliver an update on the district's plan to reopen schools, with some students slated to return to classrooms on Monday.
Here are the latest updates on the coronavirus pandemic across the state of Illinois today, Jan. 8:
Suburban Football Star Dies in Apparent Suicide; Family Says COVID Worsened Depression
A top student athlete at Glenbrook North High School died Thursday in an apparent suicide just months before graduation after his family said the teen's struggle with depression worsened significantly during the coronavirus pandemic.
Dylan Buckner, 18, was found unresponsive at the Deerfield Embassy Suites Thursday afternoon, according to the Cook County Medical Examiner's office. Deerfield police confirmed they were called to the hotel.
Buckner's father, Chris Buckner, said the teen had been battling depression the last few years but "his depression worsened significantly after COVID hit."
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"The family believes that had COVID not happened, or the country's response to COVID had been more effective, Dylan would still be alive today," Chris Buckner wrote in a statement, adding "we are really, really going to miss him."
Buckner, who played quarterback and was captain of the school's football team, was expected to graduate with honors and hoped to play football at MIT in the fall, his family said. He had received 14 offers to play football at Division III schools, according to his father.
Read more here.
SUICIDE PREVENTION HELP: Here is information on suicide prevention from the National Institute of Mental Health. If you are in crisis, call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255 or reach out to the Crisis Text Line by texting ‘Home’ to 741741.
Illinois Reports 9,277 Cases of Coronavirus, 126 Additional Deaths Friday
Illinois health officials reported 9,277 confirmed and probable coronavirus cases, including 126 deaths Friday.
A total of 1,017,322 COVID-19 infections have been diagnosed across the state since March, the fifth highest total in the nation. More than 21 million cases have been diagnosed nationwide.
Friday's 126 additional deaths brings the state's total death toll to 17,395 fatalities since the pandemic began.
“As this disease continues to wreak havoc on our nation — with the United States setting another record for the most COVID-19 deaths in a day just yesterday — it is critical that we take extra caution today and in the months ahead to reduce the spread, bring down hospitalization rates, and save lives,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement.
In all, 118,665 tests have been returned to state laboratories in the last 24 hours, a marked increase from the day before. The latest testing numbers brought the state total to 13,922,611 tests conducted throughout the pandemic.
The rolling seven-day statewide positivity rate for cases as a percent of tests rose to 8.5% as of Friday, according to IDPH. The positivity rate of all tests was 9.5%, a decrease from the day before.
As of Thursday night, 3,777 patients were in hospitals across the state for the coronavirus. Of those, 780 were receiving intensive care and 422 were on ventilators.
Teachers Who Don't Show Up to Work Monday Won't Be Paid, CPS Says
Chicago Public Schools officials announced Friday that teachers who do not show up to work on Monday will not be eligible for pay.
"We know that a small portion of staff members may choose not to return. Those individuals will be deemed absent without leave, and they will not be eligible for pay going forward," CPS CEO Janice Jackson said.
Jackson said the disciplinary measure is not taken lightly by CPS and can be avoided is staff chooses to return to school Monday.
Lightfoot Confirms In-Person Learning Will Resume Monday For Some CPS Students
Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Public Schools officials confirmed Friday the first round of students will return to classrooms on Monday as part of the district's plan for all students to eventually return to in-person instruction, even as the coronavirus pandemic continues.
"What this all boils down to is giving families the option to make the best decision for themselves," Lightfoot said, noting 77,000 families have indicated to CPS they want their children to return to the classroom. "Many of whom rely upon their school communities to make sure that their children get a warm meal and a safe place to be so they can fulfill their God-given talents."
Lightfoot dispelled myths about poor building ventilation and lack of PPE, saying the district spent $8.5 million to equip every classroom and front office with a HEPA filter and to provide masks and other needed equipment to ensure safety of teachers, students and staff.
Read more here.
Chicago's Top Doc Speaks as Long-Term Care Staff, Residents Receive Vaccine
Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady attended vaccine administration at a long-term care facility Friday.
Arwady was present as the vaccinations for staff and residents were given at Alden Estates of Northmoor Rehabilitation & Health Care Center.
Tier 3 Mitigations Could Soon be Lifted for Some. Here's What That Means for Indoor Dining
Illinois' 11 regions can begin lifting Tier 3 restrictions as early as next week if they've met the right metrics, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Wednesday, but what does that mean for indoor dining at restaurants?
Tier 3 mitigations have continued a long suspension of indoor dining during winter months across Illinois, but should a region move to Tier 2, indoor dining is still not allowed.
All of Illinois have been under Tier 3 mitigations since Nov. 20, which have lowered capacity limitations for outdoor dining and other activities, suspended indoor dining entirely, shut down indoor recreation venues like theaters and casinos and increased other restrictions.
A region can move to Tier 2 mitigations if it sees a test positivity rate less than 12% for three consecutive days and more than 20% of ICU and hospital beds are available, as well as declining COVID-19 hospitalizations in seven of the previous 10 days.
Illinois Tops 1 Million Coronavirus Cases Since Pandemic Began
Illinois reached a grim milestone in its fight against coronavirus Thursday, topping one million cases since the pandemic first began.
State health officials reported 8,757 new cases of coronavirus on Thursday, along with 177 additional deaths attributed to the virus, bringing statewide totals to 1,008,045 cases, including 17,272 deaths, since the pandemic began last year.
“In a pandemic that has contained far too many tragic milestones, today’s marking of one million cases of COVID-19 diagnosed in Illinois deserves particular recognition,” Gov. J.B. Pritzker said in a statement. “As this disease continues to wreak havoc on our nation – with the United States setting another record for the most COVID-19 deaths in a day just yesterday – it is critical that we take extra caution today and in the months ahead to reduce the spread, bring down hospitalization rates, and save lives. Now that vaccine distribution has begun, we can see the light at the end of this difficult time – let’s do everything we can to ensure all of our neighbors are able to be there as we cross that finish line, healthy as well."
In all, 105,518 tests have been returned to state laboratories in the last 24 hours, a marked increase from the day before. The latest testing numbers brought the state total to 13,803,946 tests conducted throughout the pandemic.
The rolling seven-day statewide positivity rate for cases as a percent of tests decreased to 8.5% as of Thursday, up from 8.4% Wednesday, according to IDPH. But the positivity rate of all tests was 9.8%, a decrease from the day before.
According to IDPH data, 3,921 patients were hospitalized due to coronavirus as of Tuesday night, a slight increase from the previous day. Of those patients, 783 were in intensive care units, while 450 patients were on ventilators.
When Will Phase 1B of Illinois' Coronavirus Vaccine Plan Begin?
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker revealed new details about the state's next phase of vaccinations Wednesday, but when might that phase actually begin?
According to the governor, Phase 1B will begin "when Phase 1A is substantially complete."
Still, the exact timing of when the state will enter the next phase remains unclear.
"It'll be a few weeks from now because we're still you know, getting all of the long-term care facilities covered and there's still health care," Pritzker said.
