Stories by kristen thometz

Gov. J.B. Pritkzer announces the closure of all Illinois schools during an update on the coronavirus on Friday, March 13, 2020. (WTTW News)

Gov. Pritzker Issues Stay-at-Home Order through April 7 as COVID-19 Cases Climb

Gov. J.B. Pritzker has ordered Illinois residents to stay home as the number of novel coronavirus cases in the state climbed to 585 on Friday.

This image from a transmission electron microscopic image shows a sample from the first U.S. case of COVID-19. The spherical viral particles, colored blue, contain cross-sections through the viral genome, seen as black dots. (Image provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Illinois Health Officials Project 3,400 COVID-19 Cases by End of Next Week

If trends continue, the number of confirmed coronavirus cases in Illinois could reach 3,400 by next Friday, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

COVID-19 in Illinois: 3 More Dead, Cases Soar to 422

Three more people have died from the novel coronavirus in Illinois, where the number of people who have tested positive for the illness now stands at 422 across 22 counties, state officials said Thursday.

(Shedd Aquarium / Facebook)

10 More Things to Do (at Home) This Weekend

Adventurous penguins, art exhibits, live concerts, and plenty of podcasts – you don’t have to go out (and risk getting sick) to have a fun-filled weekend. Here are 10 things you can do from the comfort of your own home.

(Photo by Kelly Sikkema / Unsplash)

Lightfoot Orders All Sick Residents to Stay Home to Prevent COVID-19 Spread

For weeks, people have been told to stay home if they are sick. Now, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health are issuing a public health order making that a requirement.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

128 More Test Positive for Coronavirus in Illinois, Bringing Total Cases to 288

State officials on Wednesday announced the largest single-day jump in the number of confirmed cases of the novel coronavirus in Illinois. The total now stands at 288 positive tests for the virus across 17 counties in the state.

Dr. Allison Arwady, Chicago Department of Public Health commissioner, appears on “Chicago Tonight” on Tuesday, March 17, 2020.

Chicago Public Health Commissioner Expects COVID-19 Cases to Rise

As of Tuesday, 63 of the 160 people who have tested positive for the new coronavirus in Illinois are Chicago residents, according to the Chicago Department of Public Health. We get the latest from CDPH Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady.

This image from a transmission electron microscopic image shows a sample from the first U.S. case of COVID-19. The spherical viral particles, colored blue, contain cross-sections through the viral genome, seen as black dots. (Image provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Pritzker Announces 1st COVID-19 Death in Illinois, Slams Federal Government

A Chicago woman in her 60s marks the first reported death in Illinois related to the COVID-19 outbreak. Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced the death Tuesday, as confirmed cases across the state grew to 160.

This image from a transmission electron microscopic image shows a sample from the first U.S. case of COVID-19. The spherical viral particles, colored blue, contain cross-sections through the viral genome, seen as black dots. (Image provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

Coronavirus Cases in Illinois Reach 105 as 12 More Test Positive

Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued a new mandate Monday in the fight against spread of the coronavirus. Gatherings of 50 people or more should be canceled, he said, citing guidelines announced Sunday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady talks about coronavirus on March 11, 2020 on “Chicago Tonight.”

Have a Coronavirus Question? Tweet at Chicago’s Public Health Commissioner

Have pressing coronavirus questions? Tweet them using the hashtag #AskDrArwady daily at 11 a.m. and get answers from Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady.

(WTTW News)

Gov. Pritzker Orders Closure of All Illinois Schools, Including CPS, Over Coronavirus Concerns

Gov. J.B. Pritzker is ordering the closure of all public and private K-12 schools across the state, including Chicago Public Schools, starting Tuesday. It’s the largest closure to date related to the spread of the novel coronavirus in Illinois.

(tommy pixel / Pixabay)

Grubhub Changes Fee Structure as Coronavirus Eats into Restaurant Profits

To help alleviate the impact of coronavirus-related declines in restaurant sales, Chicago-based Grubhub announced a temporary change to its fee structure and a charitable fund to support impacted restaurants and drivers nationwide.

Archbishop Blase Cupich appears on “Chicago Tonight” on May 4, 2016. (WTTW News)

Archdiocese of Chicago Suspends Mass, Closes Schools Due to Coronavirus

Mass at all Archdiocese of Chicago churches will be suspended starting Saturday until further notice in an effort to limit the spread of the novel coronavirus. “This is not a decision I made lightly,” Archbishop Blase Cupich said in a statement. 

(John Liu / Flickr)

10 Things to Do (at Home) This Weekend

Board games and binge-worthy shows and books – you don’t have to go out (and risk getting sick) to have a fun-filled weekend. Here are 10 things you can do from the comfort of your own home.

(Max Talbot-Minkin / Flickr)

Chicago Postpones All 3 St. Patrick’s Day Parades, River Dyeing

Major weekend events celebrating St. Patrick’s Day in Chicago have been postponed due concerns over the novel coronavirus. To date, 25 people have tested positive for the virus in Illinois.

Poster boards about each of the 10 West Side United communities are set up Thursday, March 5, 2020 at Malcom X College. (Kristen Thometz / WTTW News)

West Side United Exceeds 2019 Small Business Grant Goals

A coalition of health care institutions and professionals awarded dozens of businesses on the city’s West Side $500,000 in small business grants last year, doubling the goal it had set to achieve by 2021.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

Illinois’ Coronavirus Total Rises to 19 as 8 More Test Positive

State and local health officials reported the first cases of the novel coronavirus outside of Cook County as they announced eight more people have tested positive for the virus.

This image from a transmission electron microscopic image shows a sample from the first U.S. case of COVID-19. The spherical viral particles, colored blue, contain cross-sections through the viral genome, seen as black dots. (Image provided by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

FDA, FTC Issue Warnings to Companies Claiming to Treat, Prevent Coronavirus

There are currently no vaccines or drugs to treat or prevent COVID-19, yet some companies are selling products purporting to do just that. “The FDA considers the sale and promotion of fraudulent COVID-19 products to be a threat to the public health,” said FDA Commissioner Dr. Stephen M. Hahn.

“Staying at home if you’re sick is also effective at preventing spread” of the coronavirus, says Dr. Michael Lin of Rush University Medical Center. (flockine / Pixabay)

10 Questions with an Infectious Disease Doctor About Coronavirus

Who should be wearing masks? Is the virus seasonal? A local infectious disease physician answers these questions and others about COVID-19.

(Kristen Thometz / WTTW News)

5th Person Tests Positive for Coronavirus in Cook County

A man in his 20s has tested positive for COVID-19 after traveling to Italy, marking the fifth case of the virus in Illinois. The patient is hospitalized in isolation at Rush University Medical Center, where he’s reported to be in stable condition.

(Courtesy of Jurassic Quest)

10 Things to Do This Weekend: March 5-8

Prehistoric creatures, a costumed shopping cart race, thousands of flowers, and an environmental film festival usher in the weekend. Here are 10 things to do in and around Chicago.

Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady speaks at a Wednesday, March 4, 2020 press conference about the novel coronavirus. (WTTW News)

Chicago Health Officials: Coronavirus Risk Remains Low

There have been four confirmed cases of coronavirus in Illinois, but health officials expect that number to rise as the state expands its capacity to test for the virus. Still, the immediate risk to the general public remains low, they say.

(Kristen Thometz / WTTW News)

Patient at UChicago Medicine Tests Negative for Coronavirus

A person suspected of having the novel coronavirus who was admitted to the University of Chicago Medical Center earlier this week has tested negative for the illness.

(Kristen Thometz / WTTW News)

UChicago Medicine Treating Suspected Coronavirus Patient

A person suspected of having the novel coronavirus has been admitted to the University of Chicago Medical Center, which is awaiting test results to confirm whether the patient has the virus. If confirmed, the patient would mark Illinois’ fifth case of COVID-19.

This illustration provided by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in January 2020 shows the 2019 Novel Coronavirus (2019-nCoV).

4th Person Tests Positive for Coronavirus in Cook County

A couple in their 70s mark the third and fourth cases of novel coronavirus in Illinois, according to state and local health officials. Both patients are reported to be in good condition.

(WTTW News)

Cook County Circuit Court Judge Candidates Ranked by 3 Bar Associations

To help navigate the options, three local bar associations have screened and ranked each candidate. Here are their recommendations.