(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Here are latest developments in the coronavirus outbreak in Illinois on Thursday, April 16, 2020:
- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Wednesday projected state government will be $2.7 billion in the red before the current fiscal year ends June 30 because of the economic disaster wrought by the COVID-19 pandemic. He said the state is not taking in tax revenue it had anticipated when much of the economy shut down in March. Businesses have closed, cutting off sales and other taxes as the state has had to make emergency expenditures. Illinois also extended the time residents have to file their personal income taxes — and pay any money owed to Springfield — until July 15, which is in the next fiscal year. MORE DETAILS.
- NEW NUMBERS: The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 1,346 new cases, including 80 deaths. That takes the state's overall known total to 24,593 cases, including 948 deaths. READ MORE HERE.
- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker confirmed Wednesday his administration is flying in medical supplies on private jets from China, but was mum on details. The Chicago Sun-Times reported earlier this week that the Pritzker Administration had made arrangements to bring in so-called PPE to protect physicians and nurses who have regular contact with COVID-19 patients. The schedule of those cargo shipments are being kept secret because Pritzker is worried the feds might sweep in and seize the materials for the national stockpile. MORE DETAILS HERE.
- Chicago police announced Wednesday 24 more confirmed cases of COVID-19, raising the total number of cases in the department to 239. Of the cases, 230 are officers and 9 are civilian employees. READ MORE HERE.
- The Cook County medical examiner's office confirmed 60 more coronavirus-related deaths Wednesday, raising the county's total to 710. MORE DETAILS HERE.
- The Office of the Chief Judge of Cook County announced Wednesday another employee tested positive for COVID-19, bringing the number of cases in that office to 17. DETAILS HERE.
- Abbott Laboratories on Wednesday announced it has developed an antibody test that may determine whether a person has had the novel coronavirus. READ MORE HERE.
- There are indications K-12 students in Illinois will not be returning to their classrooms this academic year. MORE DETAILS HERE.
- If you hear a blaring train horn Thursday afternoon, it is not to give a warning to nearby vehicles and pedestrians, but as a way to say thanks. At 2 p.m. CST, U.S. train horns will be blown nationwide, as part of a salute to essential workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. DETAILS HERE.
- A Joliet nursing home has been extremely hard-hit by COVID-19, with 23 coronavirus-related deaths. It may be the worst outbreak of its kind in Illinois. READ MORE HERE.
- Mayor Lightfoot and Chicago Public Schools announced Thursday that all K-12 Students in Temporary Living Situations (STLS) will receive an internet access device in addition to a computing device, which will be provided through the district's larger device distribution strategy. DETAILS HERE.
- Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced Wednesday the death of two more city employees to COVID-19. MORE DETAILS HERE.
- Lightfoot also announced that Chicago is beginning to flatten the curve on COVID-19 cases. The city has released new data to the public. READ MORE HERE.
- Several Cook County court proceedings started livestreaming on YouTube Wednesday in an effort to limit person-to-person contact during the coronavirus pandemic. MORE DETAILS.
- An unintended consequence of the stay-at-home effort to prevent the spread of the coronavirus is more reported incidents of domestic violence. On the Park Forest Police Department's Facebook page is the message: "Safer At Home during the pandemic does not always mean safer at home." MORE DETAILS HERE.
This is a rapidly evolving situation. Stay tuned to WBBM Newsradio where we will remain live, local, and committed to bringing you the latest information during this outbreak. >>LISTEN LIVE!
