CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday said the state's number of coronavirus cases has grown by 4 -- to a total of 11 -- as he made a "disaster proclamation" in hopes of securing federal aid.
Pritzker made the announcement at a news conference joined by several public officials.
"I know that this is a difficult time for people, as we try to understand and respond to something this new. It's reasonable to feel apprehension," the governor said. "I want folks to understand this is going to affect your daily life. But know that your city, you county and your state officials are working hard to stay ahead of this."
Pritzker said his administration will hold daily news conferences to keep the public alerted to the latest details.
He said making the disaster proclamation could help Illinois recoup some of the costs associated with trying to contain the spread of coronavirus.
On Friday, Pritkzer and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced a special-education aide at Vaughn Occupational High School has coronavirus and may have infected others at her workplace, where 212 special-needs students attend classes.
Two of the newest Illinois cases are women, ranging in age from their 50s to 70s, who are family members of the Vaughn school employee, Chicago Health Commissioner Allison Arwady said.
The other two new cases are a woman in her 50s from California and a woman in her 70s who returned from an Egyptian cruise that has been linked to coronavirus, Arwady said.
She said there is no sign that the virus has been transmitted at the school, which is closed this week. Officials will monitor employees and students for several days.