Setha Low CUNY Graduate Center (THE CONVERSATION) Social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic implies many painful losses. Among them are so-called "third places" – the restaurants, bars, gyms, houses of worship, barber shops and…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter CHICAGO - Although Illinois is expected to be under a modified stay-at-home executive order through the end of the month, some areas of the state could open sooner. Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Friday regions…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter LENA, Ill. - An attorney from the Thomas More Society, the law firm representing the Lena church that filed a lawsuit against Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker, responded Friday to a change in the stay-at-home order…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter MACHESNEY PARK - Rock Cut State Park has made the list of states parks that opened Friday, May 1. Officials have confirmed that the park is now open for fishing, hiking, biking and boating with no more than…

Staff Report WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Adam Kinzinger (Illinois-16), along with four other Illinois Republicans, has sent a letter to Gov. J.B. Pritzker, urging a him to consider a regional, phased re-opening of the economy. The…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter CHICAGO - Winnebago County is considered a COVID-19 hotspot, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Thursday. "Rockford is a hotspot in the state," Pritzker said. "Winnebago County has quite a number of infections." As of…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - A Lena, Illinois, church filed a lawsuit in federal court Thursday, seeking relief from Gov. J.B. Pritzker's statewide stay-at-home order. Pastor Stephen Cassell filed the complaint in the Northern…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter CHICAGO - There were 92 COVID-19-related deaths in Illinois Tuesday, 63 of which occurred in Cook County. To date, 2,215 people in 96 Illinois counties have died from complications of the coronavirus disease.…

By Marilyn Marchione AP Chief Medical Writer For the first time, a major study has found that an experimental drug works against the new coronavirus, and U.S. government officials said Wednesday that they would work to make it available…

By Jim Hagerty Report ROCKFORD - State Rep. John Cabello, R-Machesney Park, on Wednesday, officially filed a lawsuit against Gov. J.B. Pritzker, challenging the governor's stay-at-home edict meant to mitigate the spread of COVID-19.…

Staff Report CHICAGO - Cook County accounted for nearly 80% of the state's daily COVID-19 fatalities, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported Tuesday. Cook County deaths include a woman in her 20s, a man in his 20s, two men…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter ROCKFORD - Illinois Rep. John Cabello says he will file a lawsuit to challenge the constitutionality of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order. Cabello's suit will be the second in the state filed by a…

Staff Report ROCKFORD - A Rockford nursing home is first on a list of 40 facilities that will be picketed by a health care union May 8. Representatives from SEIU Healthcare Illinois say they will strike at Alden Debes Manor, 550. S.…

By Michael  Balsamo Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — Attorney General William Barr on Monday ordered federal prosecutors across the U.S. to identify coronavirus-related restrictions from state and local governments "that could be…

By Jim Hagerty Reporter CLAY COUNTY, Ill. - The temporary restraining order issued Monday that would temporarily block Gov. J.B. Pritzker's stay-at-home order extension that beings May 1 only applies to one person. According to an…