JB Pritzker

As residents across the city observe an unusual Memorial Day holiday Monday, Chicago police dispersed a group of protesters rallying against the ongoing stay-at-home order issued by Gov. J.B. Pritzker. The group gathered near Buckingham Fountain in Grant Park to call for an end to the restrictions imposed by the governor, saying that the ongoing order is damaging small...

The Illinois legislature passed a $40 billion state budget early Sunday morning that relies heavily on federal funding. The Chicago Tribune reported the spending plan for the budget year that begins July 1. The budget passed both the House and Senate on largely party line votes. The coronavirus pandemic that prompted Gov. J.B. Pritzker to issue a statewide stay-at-home order left...

May 15 briefing: Gov. J.B. Pritzker discusses latest testing and positivity rate data.

On Thursday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker detailed what to expect just days away from transitioning into phase three of the plan to reopen Illinois. NBC 5’s Christian Farr reports

With less than six months until the general election, a measure to expand Illinois’ vote-by-mail program was advanced by a House committee on Thursday, a move Gov. J.B. Pritzker believes will help residents leery of entering physical polling locations amid the coronavirus pandemic be heard. The legislation would ensure everyone that applied for a ballot in the 2018 general election,…

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced big changes to the state’s stay-at-home order Wednesday, and NBC 5’s Mary Ann Ahern has the story.

Gov. J.B. Pritzker reversed course Wednesday, withdrawing a recent emergency rule that allowed for businesses to face Class A misdemeanor charges if they opened in violation of the state’s ongoing stay-at-home order. Pritzker said his administration withdrew the rule “in order to pursue legislation with the same intended mechanism in a phased manner in line with the Restore Illinois...

Illinois health officials reported 2,388 new cases of coronavirus Wednesday, lifting the statewide total over 100,000. Currently, the state’s total number of confirmed coronavirus cases since the pandemic began sits at 100,418. Health officials also reported 147 additional deaths in the last 24 hours. The state’s death toll is now at 4,525, according to data released by the Illinois Department…

Illinois State Police say they don’t plan on issuing criminal misdemeanors to people violating the state’s stay-at-home order, but will instead focus on businesses and corporations. “No individual will be arrested or taken to jail for a violation of the executive orders or emergency rules,” the department wrote on Facebook Tuesday. “We encourage all citizens to continue to do...

With the state on pace to move forward into Phase Three of the “Restore Illinois” plan, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced an easing of restrictions on many outdoor recreational activities, including the opening of all state parks. According to the governor, all state parks that haven’t already reopened will be allowed to do so on May 29, and all concession...

Illinois health officials reported 1,545 new cases of coronavirus Tuesday, with 146 additional deaths related to the virus. That lifts the state’s total number of confirmed infections so far to 98,030. The state’s death toll is now at 4,379, according to data released by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Over the last 24 hours, 18,443 test results have been…

Dr. Ngozi Ezike uses a domino reference to explain the importance of social distancing even as Illinois prepares for next phase of reopening.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is aggressively defending a new rule implemented by his administration that would allow for businesses to face Class A misdemeanor charges if they open in violation of the state’s ongoing stay-at-home order. Under the new rule, put into place by executive action on Friday, businesses could face misdemeanor charges if they do not comply with...

A new penalty could mean a fine of up to $2,500 for Illinois business owners who violate the state’s stay-at-home order, but Gov. J.B. Pritzker calls it less severe than other options. NBC 5’s Mary Ann Ahern reports.

Illinois health officials reported 2,294 new cases of coronavirus Monday, with 59 additional deaths related to the virus. That lifts the state’s total number of confirmed infections so far to 96,485. The state’s death toll is now at 4,234, according to data released by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Monday marks the third day in a row with fewer…

May 18 briefing: Dr. Ngozi Ezike breaks down the latest coronavirus data in Illinois.

Authorities said dozens of people were evacuated from their homes via rescue boats in suburban Lyons Sunday night as heavy rainfall brought flooding to the area. Susan Carlson reports.

State officials are blaming a “glitch” in Illinois’ new system for processing unemployment benefits for making private information public

Illinois health officials are reporting 1,734 new cases of coronavirus Sunday, with 51 additional deaths related to the virus. According to officials, 94,191 cases of the virus have been confirmed via laboratory testing since the pandemic began. The state’s death toll is now at 4,177, according to data released by the Illinois Department of Public Health. Over the last 24…

With state officials trying to discourage businesses from reopening in violation of the ongoing stay-at-home order, Gov. J.B. Pritzker has reportedly instituted new punishments for those facilities that defy the order.  Elsewhere in the state, officials are scrambling after a “glitch” reportedly exposed the private data of contractors and 1099 workers who field for unemployment assistance amid the coronavirus...