The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) announced on Thursday, March 26, the agency is taking additional steps to address the unprecedented volume of unemployment benefit claims the department has fielded as a result of COVID-19. IDES is currently working through an unparalleled number of unemployment benefit claims and questions,[Read More…]
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State public health officials announce 1,105 new cases of COVID-19 on Sunday
The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced on Sunday that 1,105 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) were confirmed in Illinois since Saturday, including 18 additional deaths. Illinois has the seventh highest number of cases in the country with 4,596. There have been 65 deaths. On Saturday, IDPH announced[Read More…]
Free breakfast, lunch program for H-F grade schools continues at Parker
The free breakfast and lunch program for students in Homewood District 153 and Flossmoor District 161 will be extended through April 7 in response to Gov. J.B Pritzker’s stay-at-home order.
Thornton distillery shifts to hand sanitizer production to help in COVID-19 crisis
The recent state-issued order shutting down all dine-in restaurants and bars caused Thornton Distilling Company and its tasting room, The Well, to close. The owner and head distiller decided to “pivot” and turn their spirits into a desperately needed product in fighting the spread of coronavirus — hand sanitizer. “Never did[Read More…]
LaBanque Hotel in Homewood to close temporarily because of COVID-19 pandemic
As the worldwide ripple effects of the coronavirus outbreak continue, the tourism and hospitality industries have been hit particularly hard, and on Friday, March 27, Homewood’s boutique hotel, La Banque, closed its doors for “a week or two” according to Manager Meg Sakka. The hotel joins a growing number of[Read More…]
Cook County executive order removes obstacles for donating, distributing COVID-19 supplies
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle issued an executive order on Friday, March 19, accelerating the county’s ability to accept supplies, equipment and other donations from private partners, corporations and individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Preckwinkle’s signing the executive order is meant to get critical materials to vulnerable communities in[Read More…]
Coping with COVID: March 28
Flossmoor library extends closure. Franciscan offers online COVID-19 assessment tool. South Suburban Humane Society provides update.
Population count officially starts on Wednesday’s Census Day
How many people will be living in your house on April 1? No, it’s not meant to be a funny April Fool’s question. It’s an important date for all people living in the United States who need to be counted for an accurate 2020 census. It’s estimated to take just[Read More…]
Maple Tree Inn customer food orders adding up to donations for first responders
Franciscan Health needs more personal protective equipment for its healthcare workers as the COVID-19 pandemic continues to grow. Maple Tree Inn owners Erich and Katie Wennberg responded, starting a fund this week for purchasing protective gloves. #giftthegloves
Preckwinkle announces relief package for county residents and businesses
In an effort to help businesses during the COVID-19 pandemic, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle announced on Thursday an series of measures waiving various county fines, fees and deferring tax collections. “With businesses facing so many challenges and difficulties created by the coronavirus, waiving these fines and fees is[Read More…]
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