Illinois

Statewide, Illinois has reported more than 153,000 cases in all of the state’s 102 counties, with more than 7,000 fatalities as of Sunday. The state was under stay-at-home order, which took effect on March 21 and continued through May 29. That day marks the first day the state entered phase three of its five-phased reopening plan. The third phase allows…

While it remains unclear if Chicago Public Schools will resume in-person instruction this fall, many teachers have voiced concerns, wondering if returning to the classroom is worth the risk. At a press conference unrelated to the schools’ decision on Thursday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said details on the district’s reopening plan are set to be released, though she declined to...

A woman upset that a man removed his face mask after checking out at a north suburban store allegedly yelled that she was a school teacher with COVID-19 before spitting in his face, authorities said. Police said the incident happened on June 16 at a retail store in the 25900 block of Riverwoods Road in Mettawa. There, Lake County Sheriff’s…

Wildlife officials have relocated a black bear that had wandered into a St. Louis suburb and drew a crowd of hundreds curious to see the out-of-place animal

A Chicago man has been sentenced to 15 years in prison for firing a gun into a murder victim’s grave during a 2017 burial service at a cemetery in suburban Evergreen Park, prosecutors said. On Nov. 22, 2017, at Evergreen Cemetery, Elston Stevenson displayed a handgun and said words to the effect of, “You ain’t [expletive]. You got what you deserved.” Stevenson…

After months of being closed due to the fight against the coronavirus, bowling alley operators in Illinois said they are opening with a disadvantage compared to other industries under current Restore Illinois guidelines. Henry Barber, owner of Stardust Bowl of Addison, said bowling alleys are not allowed to operate at 50% building capacity like casinos and health clubs in Phase…

We asked infection prevention experts from Northwestern Medicine to weigh in on some questions.

NBC 5 Investigates has analyzed federal and state reports to show which counties in the greater Chicago area have the most beds, both regular and the ICU, per capita, and which have the fewest. Click on your Illinois county on this interactive map to find out how many confirmed coronavirus cases and coronavirus deaths have been reported in your area….

As the state of Illinois moved to phase four of its reopening plan Friday, many businesses were able to welcome back customers. NBC 5’s Lexi Sutter reports.

A toxic algal bloom has been discovered on the Illinois River near Starved Rock State Park in LaSalle County, according to the Illinois Environmental Protection Agency. Algal toxins sometimes produced by blue-green algae can cause sickness or other adverse health effects in people and pets, depending on the amount and type of exposure, according to a news release issued by…

Illinois’ minimum wage will increase to $10 per hour beginning on July 1, marking the second increase in less than a year, according to Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office. Legislation previously passed by the Illinois General Assembly and signed by the governor provides a path to a $15 minimum wage by 2025. On Jan. 1, 2020, the state’s minimum wage was…

Gyms, fitness centers and health clubs across Illinois will be allowed to reopen Friday as the state enters phase four of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s five-step reopening plan. Facilities will be required to appropriately social distance and will be able to limit interactions between groups. On Monday, the staff at Spark Fitness in suburban Hinsdale was already preparing by sectioning...

The Illinois Department of Natural Resources issued a warning this week asking the public to stay away from a black bear spotted passing through Illinois alone. The bear, last seen in western Illinois, has been closely monitored by the IDNR since it crossed into Illinois from Wisconsin on June 10. The bear has crossed into Iowa then returned to Illinois…

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Tuesday released long-awaited guidance for schools across the state as instruction resumes in the fall.

Gyms, fitness centers and health clubs across Illinois will be permitted to reopen Friday as the state enters phase four of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s five-step reopening plan.

Be prepared for changes at your favorite small businesses as phase four of Illinois’ reopening plan goes into effect later this week. NBC 5’s Kate Chappell reports.

State officials will begin treating northern parts of the state for gypsy moth later this month. The destructive insect eats more than 250 species of trees and shrubs and is capable of stripping plants bare, which leave them more susceptible to other insects, disease and death. The Illinois Department of Agriculture plans to treat for the insect on Thursday and…

While taking part in an event in celebration of Juneteenth, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker outlined his plans to fight racial injustice in the state including criminal justice reform and pushing for police accountability.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker plans to make Juneteenth a state holiday in Illinois, he announced Friday. “This Juneteenth comes as hundreds of thousands of protestors across the nation and across Illinois, from Rockford to East St. Louis to Chicago to Springfield to Champaign to Anna and dozens of towns in between, have taken to the streets to call for justice...

Vigils took place across several states Thursday to demand that safeguards be put in place to prevent more future deaths. NBC 5’s Trina Orlando reports.