Health
Gov. JB Pritzker officially repeals parental notification of abortion
Despite nearly three-quarters of Illinoisans opposing the legislation, Gov. Pritzker repealed parental notification of abortion. His office cited non-resident abortions in Illinois are up over 250% since 2014.
US drug overdose deaths top 100,000 in one year, up nearly 30% since COVID lockdowns
Drug overdoses now surpass deaths from car crashes, guns, and even flu and pneumonia. The total is close to that for diabetes, the nation's No. 7 cause of death.
Bill would remove 'conscience' as basis for refusing vaccine
The Illinois Health Care Right of Conscience Act states that Illinois will respect and protect the right of conscience of all persons who refuse to obtain, receive, or accept medical care as well as those providing it. Illinois Democrats are trying to "carve-out" an exception to that for COVID.
Gov. Pritzker says prepare now to vaccinate kids aged 5 to 11
According to the CDC, 15 children aged 0-17 years have died with confirmed or presumed COVID-19 in the entire state of Illinois so far this year, while 43 children aged 0-17 years have been fatally shot in Chicago alone so far this year.
Pritzker orders vaccinations or testing for day care workers
Illinois' weekly COVID case count has dropped for seven weeks in a row. The state has also seen new cases per day numbers drop 50% from seven weeks ago.
About 440 Advocate Aurora Health workers leave over mandate
The deadline to comply with the mandate was Friday and workers initially were given a three-day suspension to have one last chance to comply, the company said.
US to reopen land borders in November for fully vaccinated
No testing will be required to enter the U.S. by land or sea, provided the travelers meet the vaccination requirement, according to the CDC. The U.S. will accept travelers who have been fully vaccinated with any of the vaccines approved for emergency use by the World Health Organization.
Merck says experimental pill cuts worst effects of COVID-19
Early results showed patients who received the drug, called Molnupiravir, within five days of COVID-19 symptoms had about half the rate of hospitalization and death as patients who received a placebo.
Illinois man dies of rabies after apparent bat bite
The man's name was not released. Officials said he was in his 80s and lived in Lake County.
2 men drown in Lake Michigan in Michigan over weekend
The victims included a 30-year-old Chicago man and a 67-year-old Michigan man.
