You did it, Illinois
Ron DeBrock, ronald.debrock@thetelegraph.com
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Gov. J.B. Pritzker, seen in this file photo, on Thursday confirmed that Illinois will move to a full reopening on Friday, lifting capacity limits for many public venues and events as the summer begins. Show MoreShow Less
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A woman leaves the Alton Farm & Home Supply store Thursday with no mask. Illinois will enter Phase 5 of Restore Illinois on Friday, with the state fully open for business. While most people were not wearing masks in public places Thursday, people using public transit, schools, day cares and nursing homes will still be required to wear a mask. Show MoreShow Less
Illinois won t mandate vaccination proof
Ron DeBrock, ronald.debrock@thetelegraph.com
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WOOD RIVER Illinois will not mandate proof of COVID-19 vaccinations, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Monday.
“That’s going to be up to private businesses and to individuals if they want to carry something like that with them,” he said in Chicago before flying to East St. Louis to announce $1.5 billion for renters and landlords hurt by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The state will provide the data and information for private solutions for that, if people want to use something like that,” Pritzker said. “There’s no requirement, however.”
Illinois tops 10 million COVID shots
Ron DeBrock, ronald.debrock@thetelegraph
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ALTON Illinois on Monday passes the 10 million mark for COVID-19 vaccinations.
According to the Illinois Department of Public Health, 10,037,624 vaccines had been administered in Illinois as of midnight Monday. The seven-day rolling average of vaccines administered daily is 83,887 doses, with 58,709 doses reported administered in Illinois on Monday.
The Madison County Health Department on Monday lowered its figures to 166,154 total COVID-19 vaccinations, 21 fewer than reported Sunday. MCHD officials on Monday said 84,131 county residents or 31.81% of the county’s population are now fully vaccinated for COVID-19.
The MCHD is planning multiple COVID-19 vaccination clinics this week. Walk-ins will be accepted at the clinics, but appointments are requested for planning purposes.
Looser rules will fuel recovery
Tourism group welcomes relaxed regulations
Ron DeBrock, ronald.debrock@thetelegraph.com
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Jobe
ALTON The Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau on Friday welcomed Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s announcement about loosening COVID-19 restrictions on May 14.
Cory Jobe, President & CEO of the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, said the state will be taking “a giant step forward” in relaxing COVID mitigations and bringing much-needed tourism back to the state when it enters the Bridge Phase next week.
“This is something the Great Rivers & Routes Tourism Bureau, and all of our locally owned and operated restaurants, community festivals and outdoor event planners have been anticipating for months,” Jobe said.
State moving to Bridge Phase
Most Illinois seniors have had COVID shots
Ron DeBrock, ronald.debrock@thetelegraph.com
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WOOD RIVER On May 14, Illinois will move into the Bridge Phase of the Restore Illinois reopening plan.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Thursday announced the move, saying Illinois continues to outpace national vaccination rates as COVID-19 trends across the state are stabilizing.
The Bridge Phase will allow for expanded capacity limits for businesses and gatherings before the state moves to a full reopening in Phase 5. Barring any significant reversals in key COVID-19 statewide indicators, Illinois could enter Phase 5 as soon as Friday, June 11.