SPRINGFIELD – People in Illinois will be allowed to attend worship services starting this weekend without fear of prosecution as the state enters Phase 3 of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “Restore Illinois” reopening plan.

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois will advance to the “Recovery” phase of Gov. JB Pritzker’s plan to incrementally reopen the state’s economy on Friday after almost 70 days of residents living under a stay-at-home restriction.

SPRINGFIELD – The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) on Wednesday announced 1,111 new cases of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) in Illinois, including 160 additional deaths.

SPRINGFIELD — A pair of health care bills expanding telehealth resources during the COVID-19 pandemic passed the Illinois House of Representatives on Saturday – with one passing the Senate and the other not being taken up as lawmakers wrapped up their emergency special session.

SPRINGFIELD – The Senate on early Sunday morning passed a budget package authorizing $42.8 billion in general revenue spending next year, although much of that remains tentative depending on the progression of the COVID-19 pandemic and potential congressional action that could send more fina…

Editor’s Note: This story has been updated to reflect changes to the legislation and the Senate's subsequent passage.

SPRINGFIELD — A measure allowing bars and restaurants to serve cocktails to go passed both chambers of the General Assembly Saturday, meaning it needs only a signature from Gov. J.B. Pritzker to become law.

SPRINGFIELD – A broad-ranging bill creating a limited oversight panel of the governor’s Restore Illinois plan, temporarily delaying Freedom of Information Act law requirements and allowing the General Assembly to meet remotely during a pandemic stalled in the House on Saturday.

SPRINGFIELD – Measures addressing aggravated battery of retail workers, disability leave for public employees and unionization of employees in the horse racing industry found their way into a COVID-19-response bill this week at the Capitol.

SPRINGFIELD — The attorney general’s office has moved a state representative’s lawsuit challenging Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s use of emergency powers to federal court because it says his case alleges violations of federal rights.

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Thursday his administration is developing guidelines for local governments and businesses to follow as the state prepares to enter the next phase of reopening the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Echoing a growing number of law enforcement officials in central Illinois and elsewhere, Effingham County Sheriff Dave Mahon said his department will not shut down a business or issue a misdemeanor citation if it opens in defiance of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s “stay-home” order.

SPRINGFIELD – Hospital metrics Tuesday showed the number of hospital beds, intensive care unit beds and ventilators occupied by COVID-19 patients are all at their lowest levels since the state began updating the numbers daily on April 12.

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Monday announced the launch of Illinois’ contact tracing program and defended an emergency rule filed Friday to allow for misdemeanor charges against businesses defying his stay-at-home order.

SPRINGFIELD – Gov. JB Pritzker on Monday announced the launch of Illinois’ statewide contact tracing program for COVID-19 cases in two pilot counties as the state begins to fine-tune its latest weapon to fight the novel coronavirus pandemic.

SPRINGFIELD — A Clay County judge on Friday denied the attorney general office’s request to move to Sangamon County a Republican representative’s lawsuit challenging Gov. JB Pritzker’s authority to issue successive disaster proclamations.

SPRINGFIELD — A document included in a downstate representative’s revised lawsuit against Gov. J.B. Pritzker suggests the governor does not have the authority to issue successive disaster proclamations.

EFFINGHAM — Effingham County board members on Wednesday unanimously approved a resolution to support reopening Illinois.

The Shelby County Board on Wednesday voted 19-0 to cautiously re-open businesses in unincorporated parts of the county, drawing applause from an overflow crowd. It also voted 12-7 to place a resolution on the November ballot that asks residents whether Chicago should be a separate state from the rest of Illinois.

SPRINGFIELD – Illinois lawmakers will return to Springfield next week for the first time in more than two months to take up a state budget and other critical matters while following strict social distancing and public safety guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Due to the restrictions on public events as a result of the governor's stay-at-home order, the Chamber Foundation of Effingham County decided to cancel this year's EffingHAM-JAM.