CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Here are the latest developments in the coronavirus outbreak in Illinois on Sunday, May 3, 2020:
- The City of Chicago isn't messing around when it comes to complying with its social distancing order during the COVID-19 crisis. Alongside New Chicago Police Supt. David Brown, Mayor Lori Lightfoot gave a clear message to anyone thinking of having a party this weekend: don't do it. "This is how it's going to be: we will shut you down, we will cite you and if we need to, we will arrest you and we will take you to jail. Period." Lightfoot said. 'There should be nothing unambiguous about that. Don't make us treat you like a criminal." Noncompliance will result in citations, fines and arrest, Brown said. READ MORE HERE.
- NEW NUMBERS: The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 2,994 new cases and 63 deaths on Sunday. That takes the state's overall known total to 61,499 cases, including 2,618 deaths. READ MORE HERE.
- Gov. J.B. Pritzker had a message to scam artists looking to take advantage of the coronavirus pandemic: "You will be caught and you will be prosecuted." The governor said Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul will not hesitate to use the authority of his office to hold bad actors accountable. Pritzker urged all Illinois residents to be "vigilant" and report any COVID-19 scams to the attorney general's office. READ MORE HERE.
- The Cook County medical examiner’s office on Saturday confirmed another 46 deaths connected to the COVID-19 outbreak. The newly confirmed fatalities bring the county’s toll to 1,779, the medical examiner’s office said. Cook County makes up about 70 percent of the 2,559 deaths in Illinois. READ MORE HERE.
- Illinois' modified stay-at-home order began Friday with retail stores able to reopen by taking orders online or by phone and delivering them curbside. Golf courses, some state parks — excluding those in Cook County and Chicago — and greenhouses will be able to open by adhering to strict measures. Patients wanting to have elective surgeries will be able to as well. The extended stay-at-home order expires May 30. MORE DETAILS HERE.
- The Illinois Department of Public Health unveiled plans for its new contact tracing initiative to curb the community spread of coronavirus as Illinois keeps flattening the curve. The initiative plans to hire over 3,000 contract tracers to help monitor people who have been exposed to the virus, placing 30 workers per 100,000 residents in Chicago's communities. READ MORE ABOUT THE PLAN HERE.
- The coronavirus pandemic continues to hit public transportation hard, especially Metra. Metra has seen a 97 percent decrease in ridership, and is now further reducing train service on its three least-busy lines beginning Monday. MORE DETAILS HERE.
- Friday, another music festival was canceled. Ravina, the oldest music festival in the country, has been forced to cancel its 2020 season in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. READ MORE 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