As many as 400,000 Illinois residents could return to work when the state moves into Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan on June 26. Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s office released new guidelines on Monday will allow key leisure, recreation and business sectors to safely reopen. The guidelines were developed to keep workers[Read More…]
Tag: COVID-19
Riding boom gives bike shop a bump
When the stay-at-home order came down from the governor’s office, Steve Buchtel, of GoodSpeed Cycles in Homewood, expected business to idle. Instead, bike shops in Illinois were deemed essential businesses, a move Buchtel said made sense. Many people rely on bicycles for transportation, and GoodSpeed also serves customers who use[Read More…]
Schools administrators trying to design next school year
What will school look like in the fall? No one has the answer. It is unlikely that this coming school year will resemble school before the COVID-19 pandemic. Administrators are planning different scenarios: continue remote learning or a blended schedule for remote learning with a limited return to the classrooms. [Read More…]
Pritzker signs remote learning legislation to help students and educators during pandemic
Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed Senate Bill 1569 into law to provide support for educators, students and families. The purpose of the law, according to a news release from the governor’s office, is to ensure Illinois school districts have the necessary tools to effectively carry out remote learning and other necessary[Read More…]
2020 Hidden Gem Half Marathon canceled, smaller events to come
Runners, shoulder to shoulder, wait for the start of the first Hidden Gem Half Marathon on Sept. 7, 2019, months before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the implementation of social distancing requirements. (Chronicle file photo)
PSC helps nursing students prepare for the routine and the extraordinary
This May, Prairie State College’s Nursing Program awarded the associate’s degree in nursing to 57 students. It is one of PSC’s largest graduating classes. Graduates started toward their RN degrees months before the COVID-19 virus hit the United States. There is a fear of the unknown, and yet they say[Read More…]
Homewood Farmers Market opens with pandemic restrictions in place
The 38th season of the Homewood Farmers Market got under way Saturday morning under a sunny sky, cool temperatures and pandemic restrictions. Patrons seemed happy to have the market open in spite of the limitations.
Cook County announces $41M COVID-19 contact tracing grant award, plans to hire 400 workers
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Department of Public Health (CCDPH) announced Thursday that CCDPH will be receiving almost $41 million in grant funding from the Illinois Department of Public Health to rapidly scale-up its COVID-19 contact tracing program in suburban Cook County over the next[Read More…]
State announces community-based COVID-19 testing sites now open to all
The State of Illinois is opening its community-based testing sites to anyone to get tested for COVID-19, regardless of symptoms or other criteria. Testing remains crucial to the state’s efforts to prevent additional spread of the disease. No appointment, doctor referral or insurance is needed at state operated drive-thru sites[Read More…]
Flossmoor OKs outdoor dining rules as businesses start to reopen
Flossmoor village board members Monday approved regulations for outdoor dining as many restaurants in Illinois begin serving customers on parking lots and patios. An ordinance with guidelines for outdoor dining was approved at the June 1 board meeting, which was held remotely due to COVID-19. The ordinance relaxes temporary signage[Read More…]


