Madigan legacy: Powerful politician s resignation brings praise, scorn myjournalcourier.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from myjournalcourier.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
As more COVID-19 vaccines become available, public health officials and politicians are hard at work convincing people to get the shots in the arm to help return life to normal.
Dr. Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and one of President Joe Biden’s most trusted experts on COVID-19, has said at least 75% of Americans will need to be vaccinated for the nation to reach herd immunity. Herd immunity is the point when enough people are immune to a virus that the societal spread stops or is extremely limited.
Officials have said reaching herd immunity through vaccination is the key to returning to pre-pandemic life. However, a recent Associated Press poll revealed only 67% of Americans have gotten or are planning to get the vaccine, leaving the country short of herd immunity. Fifteen percent said they will not be getting vaccinated while 17% said they probably won’t.
✓State Employee and Retiree Health Care Savings – the administration has negotiated over $900 million in health care cost savings.
✓ Estimated $650 million in collectively- bargained cost savings with employees through FY23.
✓ An additional $260 million in savings achieved through negotiated insurance rates and contract terms with providers. -
Behind the fancy savings language, I’m reading more delayed payments for health providers to state employees and retirees. Possibly higher co-pays or increased insurance payments by employees / retirees. And expectations of clawbacks in the next labor union contract.
Those 3 items in the summary come to $1.8B. Not quite smoke and mirrors, but not guaranteed. Likely a double whammy to existing state employees.
The Springfield area was expecting 8 inches of snow by the end of Monday.
Sangamon County remains under a Winter Storm Warning until 6 a.m. Tuesday.
The last downtown bus will depart the transfer center at 4:30 p.m. and run its route before returning to base.
The last Junction Circle bus will depart Junction Circle at 4:45 p.m. and run its last route before returning to base.
SMTD said it would determine early Tuesday morning before regularly-scheduled service if there is any need for snow routes or further cancelations.
Memorial ExpressCare locations and drive-thru labs are closing at 4:30 p.m. Monday due to inclement weather.