SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois State Board of Education is considering a set of new standards for teachers and administrators that are aimed at making them more sensitive to students of different cultures and backgrounds, but the proposal is sparking controversy among some religious conservatives.The "Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading" standards would amend current standards that apply to all teachers and administrators by adding a host of new requirements meant to ensure they understand how certain population groups have been marginalized in society and encourage them to adapt...… SPRINGFIELD -- The Illinois State Board of Education is considering a set of new standards for teachers and administrators that are aimed at making them more sensitive to students of different cultures and backgrounds, but the proposal is sparking controversy among some religious conservatives.The "Culturally Responsive Teaching and Leading" standards would amend current standards that apply to all teachers and administrators by adding a host of new requirements meant to ensure they understand how certain population groups have been marginalized in society and encourage them to adapt...WW…

 If you'd like to see a breakdown of the number of reported COVID-19 cases county by county and, in some cases, even town by town, a state website and area counties' websites are offering it.• First, the Illinois Department of Public Health's shows the latest data on total cases as well as the number of people tested, and it breaks down confirmed cases county by county throughout the state. • The Cook County Department of Public Health general information on the disease, including number of cases in Chicago, Cook County overall and separately in the Cook County suburbs.• And , you...… If you'd like to see a breakdown of the number of reported COVID-19 cases county by county and, in some cases, even town by town, a state website and area counties' websites are offering it.• First, the Illinois Department of Public Health's shows the latest data on total cases as well as the number of people tested, and it breaks down confirmed cases county by county throughout the state. • The Cook County Department of Public Health general information on the disease, including number of cases in Chicago, Cook County overall and separately in the Cook County suburbs.• And , you...WW…

   While the COVID-19 toll is dire with 74 more fatalities and 1,222 new confirmed cases as of Tuesday, cumulative data shows the respiratory disease is losing steam.Slowly, the state is "bending the curve," Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at his daily briefing. But he also noted he was wary of lifting restrictions on social...…   While the COVID-19 toll is dire with 74 more fatalities and 1,222 new confirmed cases as of Tuesday, cumulative data shows the respiratory disease is losing steam.Slowly, the state is "bending the curve," Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at his daily briefing. But he also noted he was wary of lifting restrictions on social...WW…

When Surgeon General Jerome Adams recently warned that COVID-19 is our generation's "9/11 moment," it struck me viscerally.Like most Americans, I vividly recall the day the twin towers fell, but I lived through the chaotic month afterward as a medical provider on the front lines of that crisis.On September 11, 2001, I was a young doctor, having just graduated a few months prior from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. As fate would have it, I was also one of three surgical interns newly stationed that fall in Manhattan's only intensive care unit for critical burn victims. At 8:46 a.m. on that...…When Surgeon General Jerome Adams recently warned that COVID-19 is our generation's "9/11 moment," it struck me viscerally.Like most Americans, I vividly recall the day the twin towers fell, but I lived through the chaotic month afterward as a medical provider on the front lines of that crisis.On September 11, 2001, I was a young doctor, having just graduated a few months prior from Johns Hopkins School of Medicine. As fate would have it, I was also one of three surgical interns newly stationed that fall in Manhattan's only intensive care unit for critical burn victims. At 8:46 a.m. on that...WW…

   Illinois surpassed 19,000 confirmed COVID-19 deaths Thursday, as 103 more deaths were reported by state health officials, assuring January will be the state's third-deadliest month of the pandemic despite a significant drop in new cases throughout the month.With 2,577 COVID-19 deaths recorded so far this month, only December and May were deadlier for Illinois, with 4,212 and 3,034 deaths, respectively, according to Illinois Department of Public Health records. Thursday's death toll pushed January past November, when 2,521 Illinois residents died of COVID-19. Of...…   Illinois surpassed 19,000 confirmed COVID-19 deaths Thursday, as 103 more deaths were reported by state health officials, assuring January will be the state's third-deadliest month of the pandemic despite a significant drop in new cases throughout the month.With 2,577 COVID-19 deaths recorded so far this month, only December and May were deadlier for Illinois, with 4,212 and 3,034 deaths, respectively, according to Illinois Department of Public Health records. Thursday's death toll pushed January past November, when 2,521 Illinois residents died of COVID-19. Of...WW…

 Bull Valley resident Gary Rabine, CEO and founder of Schaumburg-based paving, roofing and snow removal company Rabine Group, said Sunday he intends to run for governor in 2022 as a Republican.The Richmond-Burton High School graduate has yet to formalize his candidacy by filing the appropriate paperwork with state elections officials, but said he would do so within the coming weeks and make an official campaign announcement. "Gary Rabine would be a great governor for Illinois," McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett said. "I believe he can win the primary and ultimately be the next...… Bull Valley resident Gary Rabine, CEO and founder of Schaumburg-based paving, roofing and snow removal company Rabine Group, said Sunday he intends to run for governor in 2022 as a Republican.The Richmond-Burton High School graduate has yet to formalize his candidacy by filing the appropriate paperwork with state elections officials, but said he would do so within the coming weeks and make an official campaign announcement. "Gary Rabine would be a great governor for Illinois," McHenry Mayor Wayne Jett said. "I believe he can win the primary and ultimately be the next...WW…

   Schaumburg officials are characterizing the village's recent retention of the highest attainable credit rating as both an objective endorsement of its financial management during the pandemic and an aid to successfully navigating its way back to normal times.Just as with an individual person's credit score, Schaumburg's AAA bond rating reflects not only how much money it has access to but how it's managing it and reducing expenses as many of its revenue sources are experiencing negative impacts from COVID-19. The reaffirmation of the village's bond rating is not based...…   Schaumburg officials are characterizing the village's recent retention of the highest attainable credit rating as both an objective endorsement of its financial management during the pandemic and an aid to successfully navigating its way back to normal times.Just as with an individual person's credit score, Schaumburg's AAA bond rating reflects not only how much money it has access to but how it's managing it and reducing expenses as many of its revenue sources are experiencing negative impacts from COVID-19. The reaffirmation of the village's bond rating is not based...WW…

   SPRINGFIELD -- Michael Madigan, the Chicago Democrat who set much of Illinois' political agenda as House speaker for four decades before his ouster last month, announced Thursday that he is resigning his seat as a state representative immediately.The longest-serving state legislative leader in U.S. history -- he had held the state representative post since 1971 -- first sent a letter Thursday to the new House speaker announcing that he would resign at the end of the month. Then Thursday afternoon, his spokespeople said his resignation was immediate. Madigan, who was...…   SPRINGFIELD -- Michael Madigan, the Chicago Democrat who set much of Illinois' political agenda as House speaker for four decades before his ouster last month, announced Thursday that he is resigning his seat as a state representative immediately.The longest-serving state legislative leader in U.S. history -- he had held the state representative post since 1971 -- first sent a letter Thursday to the new House speaker announcing that he would resign at the end of the month. Then Thursday afternoon, his spokespeople said his resignation was immediate. Madigan, who was...WW…

   Cook County commissioners unanimously passed a balanced, $6.94 billion 2021 budget Tuesday that officials say closes a $400 million projected shortfall due to the pandemic without hiking or imposing new taxes.County leaders say they addressed the gap by eliminating 569 vacant full-time equivalent positions, taking $77 million from savings, holding off on some planned expenditures and acquiring federal relief dollars. Revenues also came in higher than projected, particularly from newer sources like recreational marijuana, gambling and online sales, officials...…   Cook County commissioners unanimously passed a balanced, $6.94 billion 2021 budget Tuesday that officials say closes a $400 million projected shortfall due to the pandemic without hiking or imposing new taxes.County leaders say they addressed the gap by eliminating 569 vacant full-time equivalent positions, taking $77 million from savings, holding off on some planned expenditures and acquiring federal relief dollars. Revenues also came in higher than projected, particularly from newer sources like recreational marijuana, gambling and online sales, officials...WW…

 SPRINGFIELD -- Anyone who cast a ballot in the last three years or who registered to vote or changed addresses after the March primary will be sent an application to vote by mail in the Nov. 3 election.Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill expanding the program Tuesday. In a news release, Pritzker's office said the program is aimed at ensuring "safe and active participation in the 2020 general election during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic." The measure also expands early voting hours at permanent polling places and makes Election Day a state holiday.Local election authorities must...… SPRINGFIELD -- Anyone who cast a ballot in the last three years or who registered to vote or changed addresses after the March primary will be sent an application to vote by mail in the Nov. 3 election.Gov. J.B. Pritzker signed a bill expanding the program Tuesday. In a news release, Pritzker's office said the program is aimed at ensuring "safe and active participation in the 2020 general election during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic." The measure also expands early voting hours at permanent polling places and makes Election Day a state holiday.Local election authorities must...WW…