Read more about the article Champaign-Urbana Nursing and Rehab site of most staff, resident COVID-19 cases in countyDarrell Hoemann
CU Nursing and Rehab exterior (302 Burwash Ave, Savoy, IL 61874) on Friday, December 17, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Champaign-Urbana Nursing and Rehab site of most staff, resident COVID-19 cases in county

Of the five long-term care facilities in Champaign County, Champaign-Urbana Nursing and Rehab has had the most staff and resident COVID-19 cases, accounting for over one-third of all cases in such facilities as of the first week in December.

Continue ReadingChampaign-Urbana Nursing and Rehab site of most staff, resident COVID-19 cases in county
Read more about the article Rep. Jan Schakowsky continues targeting fundraising, salariesSchakowsky's website
Jan Schakowsky's official photograph.

Rep. Jan Schakowsky continues targeting fundraising, salaries

Although the 2021-2022 cycle is still in its early stages, Illinois’s 9th Congressional District Rep. Jan Schakowsky continues to spend most of her disbursements to the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC). 

Continue ReadingRep. Jan Schakowsky continues targeting fundraising, salaries
Read more about the article Ebertfest prices increased up to 50% prior to postponing due to COVID-19Danielle Sheppard
Virginia Theatre, 203 W. Park Ave., Champaign, Illinois

Ebertfest prices increased up to 50% prior to postponing due to COVID-19

Prices for Ebertfest tickets soared this year with passes increasing between 35% and 50% from 2020 to 2021, depending on the type of pass. The annual film festival started by the late film critic Roger Ebert in Champaign-Urbana in 1999, was scheduled for September 8 to 11 at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign, but was delayed again because of concerns about COVID-19 pandemic. The festival had previously been called off in the spring of 2020 due similar concerns about COVID-19, but returned this fall with the price increases.

Continue ReadingEbertfest prices increased up to 50% prior to postponing due to COVID-19
Read more about the article Nearly 8,000 students may be coming from Illinois zip codes with higher COVID infection rates than Champaign CountyMcKinley Health Center website
McKinley Health Center on the University of Illinois campus.

Nearly 8,000 students may be coming from Illinois zip codes with higher COVID infection rates than Champaign County

Almost 8,000 students may be returning to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus from Illinois ZIP codes with higher COVID-19 positivity rates than Champaign…

Continue ReadingNearly 8,000 students may be coming from Illinois zip codes with higher COVID infection rates than Champaign County
Read more about the article Additional campus COVID complaints show more unsafe, unhealthy and outlandish behavior
Alpha Sigma Phi Fraternity on the University of Illinois campus has been placed on conduct probation until Nov. 16, 2021 after violating mask protocol and city emergency orders.

Additional campus COVID complaints show more unsafe, unhealthy and outlandish behavior

Students selling negative saliva test samples on Snapchat. Fraternity members threatening students for taking pictures of long bar lines. People leaving quarantine and isolation dorms to pick up Doordash food orders and then socialize. These were the events among the 200 complaints sent to university officials in the latter part of the fall semester in 2020 at the University of Illinois in Urbana-Champaign.

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Read more about the article University student readmitted after public outcry against “unfair” COVID disciplinary policy
Yidong "Ivor" Chen. Source: Change.org

University student readmitted after public outcry against “unfair” COVID disciplinary policy

A fourth-year international Ph.D. student who was dismissed from the University of Illinois for COVID non-compliance in the fall 2020 semester has been readmitted after public outcry. Now, he has proposed solutions to create a more “transparent and humane” policy.

Continue ReadingUniversity student readmitted after public outcry against “unfair” COVID disciplinary policy
Read more about the article First Weekend Back: Social media targets bars, student crowds
Champaign-Urbana social-media community exploded in hundreds of comments under the Facebook and Reddit posts discussing a long line of people waiting at the entrance of one of the campus bars – Red Lion, on January 23, 2021.

First Weekend Back: Social media targets bars, student crowds

On January 18, Tier 1 mitigation requirements were announced for all regions with a test positivity rate of 8% or higher for three days or more. Champaign County, however, is in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois reopening plan, which allows indoor dining at bars and restaurants. So, most of the campus bars opened their doors during the weekend of January 23. That afternoon, two social media users shared on Reddit, Twitter, and Facebook almost the same picture of a crowd of students in the line at the Red Lion bar.

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County COVID-19 vaccinations open to lower age group with underlying conditions

Champaign-Urbana Public Health District Expands Phase 1B COVID Vaccinations to Include Persons Age 65-74 with Underlying Health Conditions. Next week’s clinics will serve anyone 75 years of age or older that did not previously receive a vaccine plus is expanding to include individuals age 65-74 with underlying health conditions - cancer, chronic kidney disease, COPD, heart disease, obesity, sickle cell disease, diabetes, smoking, and immune-compromised due to organ transplant.

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Read more about the article University of Illinois COVID-19 complaints and social media reveal how widespread violations wereGavin Good
Pi Kappa Phi fraternity was among several other frats and sororities that were widely reported for COVID-19 violations. Pi Kappa Phi is on conduct probation through May 2021.

University of Illinois COVID-19 complaints and social media reveal how widespread violations were

A review of more than 400 complaints about partying and public health violations, multiple disciplinary actions and partial lockdowns at apartment complexes show the impact of the partying and social gathering was far wider than previously recognized. While many students obeyed guidelines that included wearing masks and social distancing, a significant number of students held or attended large parties and social gatherings at Greek houses, dorms and apartments. Public records show that four fraternities and one sorority have been disciplined and more than 1,000 students were disciplined.

Continue ReadingUniversity of Illinois COVID-19 complaints and social media reveal how widespread violations were