SHAREVILLA GROVE, Ill. — The bar is officially named the Embarras, because it’s barely a bottle cap’s throw from the Embarras River in central Illinois.But in this rural community some 160 miles south of Chicago, everyone just calls it “the bar.”And now, whether locals like it or not, it’s known as the site of a coronavirus “superspreader” event.On a bitterly cold February night, residents lined up for the opening of the bar, one of the few establishments in town for locals to gather for some fun after a year of COVID-19 lockdowns.Owner Ryan Garrett said of the “30 to 40” that attended the...…SHAREVILLA GROVE, Ill. — The bar is officially named the Embarras, because it’s barely a bottle cap’s throw from the Embarras River in central Illinois.But in this rural community some 160 miles south of Chicago, everyone just calls it “the bar.”And now, whether locals like it or not, it’s known as the site of a coronavirus “superspreader” event.On a bitterly cold February night, residents lined up for the opening of the bar, one of the few establishments in town for locals to gather for some fun after a year of COVID-19 lockdowns.Owner Ryan Garrett said of the “30 to 40” that attended the...WW…

SHARESPRINGFIELD — State Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford on Friday defended George Miller, the CEO of Loretto Hospital, where the west suburban senator serves as a board member and is the namesake of its emergency department, built with state funds she helped secure.Despite the swirling coronavirus vaccine scandal at the West Side hospital, Lightford said Miller is “one of our best presidents that we’ve had.”Lightford’s show of support for Miller comes as ousted hospital executive Dr. Anosh Ahmed issued a statement saying he resigned as chief operating officer and chief financial...…SHARESPRINGFIELD — State Senate Majority Leader Kimberly Lightford on Friday defended George Miller, the CEO of Loretto Hospital, where the west suburban senator serves as a board member and is the namesake of its emergency department, built with state funds she helped secure.Despite the swirling coronavirus vaccine scandal at the West Side hospital, Lightford said Miller is “one of our best presidents that we’ve had.”Lightford’s show of support for Miller comes as ousted hospital executive Dr. Anosh Ahmed issued a statement saying he resigned as chief operating officer and chief financial...WW…

SHARELocal officials would be able to limit how much landlords can hike tenants’ rent under a bill that advanced out of an Illinois House committee Wednesday, drawing praise from supporters, who view it as a way to “protect Illinois residents” and housing options.But others criticized the move to overturn the ban on rent control in Illinois, urging lawmakers to “focus on how the pandemic has forever changed housing before they enact new policies.”The bill would repeal the Rent Control Preemption Act, which bars local governments from enacting, maintaining or enforcing “an ordinance or...…SHARELocal officials would be able to limit how much landlords can hike tenants’ rent under a bill that advanced out of an Illinois House committee Wednesday, drawing praise from supporters, who view it as a way to “protect Illinois residents” and housing options.But others criticized the move to overturn the ban on rent control in Illinois, urging lawmakers to “focus on how the pandemic has forever changed housing before they enact new policies.”The bill would repeal the Rent Control Preemption Act, which bars local governments from enacting, maintaining or enforcing “an ordinance or...WW…

SHARENearly a year after he issued his first stay-at-home order, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday announced his plan to reopen the state, employing a “bridge” phase that will include increasing capacity limits at museums, zoos and other places.The governor also announced the expansion of coronavirus vaccine eligibility to all Illinois residents over 16 — except at Chicago sites — starting April 12, and set thresholds for vaccinations and new COVID-19 caseloads for the state to return to normal.“Although we still are in the midst of a global pandemic, the end seems truly to be in sight,”...…SHARENearly a year after he issued his first stay-at-home order, Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday announced his plan to reopen the state, employing a “bridge” phase that will include increasing capacity limits at museums, zoos and other places.The governor also announced the expansion of coronavirus vaccine eligibility to all Illinois residents over 16 — except at Chicago sites — starting April 12, and set thresholds for vaccinations and new COVID-19 caseloads for the state to return to normal.“Although we still are in the midst of a global pandemic, the end seems truly to be in sight,”...WW…

SHARESPRINGFIELD — The state’s top gun lobbying group filed a federal lawsuit on Monday, accusing the Illinois State Police of undermining a “fundamental right” by dragging their feet on approving licenses to allow people to carry concealed firearms — taking more than a year for some gun owners.The Illinois State Police countered that the paperwork and background checks for Concealed Carry Licenses “is a time consuming and deliberate process,” and they often need longer than the legally mandated 120-day maximum to preserve Illinois residents’ “safety and security.” Applications for the...…SHARESPRINGFIELD — The state’s top gun lobbying group filed a federal lawsuit on Monday, accusing the Illinois State Police of undermining a “fundamental right” by dragging their feet on approving licenses to allow people to carry concealed firearms — taking more than a year for some gun owners.The Illinois State Police countered that the paperwork and background checks for Concealed Carry Licenses “is a time consuming and deliberate process,” and they often need longer than the legally mandated 120-day maximum to preserve Illinois residents’ “safety and security.” Applications for the...WW…