SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) The Illinois House spent $187,000 to rent out Springfield’s downtown convention center last week due to fears about conducting business at the Capitol during the coronavirus pandemic, according to documents disclosed to The Associated Press.
FILE – In this Monday, January 11, 2021, file photo, Illinois lawmakers gather on the floor of the Bank of Springfield Center for the lame-duck session of the Illinois House during the COVID-19 pandemic in Springfield, Ill. (Justin L. Fowler/The State Journal-Register via AP, File)
Lawmakers in the House have now spent a total of about $330,000 in taxpayer money to rent the center for less than two weeks during the pandemic because officials decided the House chamber does not allow sufficient distance between legislators to avoid transmission of the virus.
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Health officials continue to recommend people continue to wear face coverings, practice social distancing, and wash their hands frequently to slow the spread of the virus.
According to numbers released Friday, Knox County has 15.8 percent Intensive Care Unite bed available which is below the state warning level.
Knox County saw it’s 78th COVID-related death reported yesterday by the Illinois Public Health Department, a female in her 80s.
The Health Department is holding a free COVID-19 testing event this weekend at the Knox County Fair Grounds between 8 a-m and 4 p-m on Saturday and Sunday.
COVID-19 testing is available at the Knox Community Health Center on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, regardless of symptoms or other criteria, please call the Knox Community Health Center at 309-344-2225 to schedule an appointment. Call early as same-day appointments are often available.