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Read more about the article Two years later, COVID breaks death records in Champaign County
This illustration, created at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), reveals ultrastructural morphology exhibited by coronaviruses. Note the spikes that adorn the outer surface of the virus, which impart the look of a corona surrounding the virion, when viewed electron microscopically. A novel coronavirus, named Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), was identified as the cause of an outbreak of respiratory illness first detected in Wuhan, China in 2019. The illness caused by this virus has been named coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Two years later, COVID breaks death records in Champaign County

As the third year of the COVID-19 pandemic begins, cases plunge after the deadliest month for Champaign County just this year. Nearly 62,000 cases.…

Continue ReadingTwo years later, COVID breaks death records in Champaign County
Read more about the article ‘Wolf in sheep’s clothing’: Cannabis workers describe pushback against unionization effortsLeafly
Jobs in the cannabis industry have grown by 161% in the last four years. (Illustration: Joshua Titus for Leafly)

‘Wolf in sheep’s clothing’: Cannabis workers describe pushback against unionization efforts

Ramy Akram-Ahmed, a wellness advisor at Sunnyside Cannabis Dispensary in Champaign, Illinois, made $17 an hour while the parent company of Sunnyside, Cresco Labs,…

Continue Reading‘Wolf in sheep’s clothing’: Cannabis workers describe pushback against unionization efforts
Read more about the article County COVID breakthrough cases undercounted, but university offers more accurate numbersMcKinley Health Center website
McKinley Health Center on the University of Illinois campus.

County COVID breakthrough cases undercounted, but university offers more accurate numbers

Because the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) only requires healthcare administrators to report severe infections of COVID-19 among the fully vaccinated, the true number and percentage of vaccine breakthrough cases infections in Champaign County and across the nation is significantly undercounted, public health experts say. Data from the University of Illinois shows that breakthrough cases — severe and mild — are much larger than than the state numbers. Since May, 75.9% of, or more than three out of four, positive tests belonged to fully vaccinated students or staff. 

Continue ReadingCounty COVID breakthrough cases undercounted, but university offers more accurate numbers
Read more about the article The story behind the race to test for COVID-19 at the University of IllinoisUniversity of Illinois
The logo for the University of Illinois's COVID-19 SHIELD saliva-based testing.

The story behind the race to test for COVID-19 at the University of Illinois

It was late the evening of April 22, 2020 when Martin Burke, a then 44-year-old professor of chemistry, received a phone call from the university provost. The provost, Andreas Cangellaris, requested that Burke develop a COVID-19 testing program for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus.  Over the next week, Burke gathered eight more team members, forming the founding members of what was known as the SHIELD team. The first SHIELD meeting was held on April 30, 2020, just eight days after the Provost’s call.

Continue ReadingThe story behind the race to test for COVID-19 at the University of Illinois
Read more about the article Rep. Bill Foster continues contributions to other democratic campaignsBill Foster's official website
The most recent official photograph of Rep. Bill Foster.

Rep. Bill Foster continues contributions to other democratic campaigns

Democratic U.S. Representative Bill Foster’s top expenditure this election cycle has been distributing his campaign money to help other democratic candidates win their elections. 

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Read more about the article Rep. Marie Newman spends campaign funds on progressive companiesU.S. House Office of Photography
U.S. Representative Marie Newman's most recent official photograph.

Rep. Marie Newman spends campaign funds on progressive companies

In the 2019-2020 election cycle, U.S Representative of Illinois’s 3rd Congressional District, Marie Newman spent $1,040,720 in media advertisement and distributions alone to Buying Time LLC — over one-third of her total expenditures.  This advertising agency in Washington D.C is one of the most well-known political advertisement hubs in the nation. She devoted this large amount of money to Buying Time LLC when she was running against Republican opponent Mike Fricilone.

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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 Illinois Rep. Lauren Underwood spends over $5 million on reelection campaign
Lauren Underwood

Illinois Rep. Lauren Underwood spends over $5 million on reelection campaign

Incumbent Lauren Underwood has spent over $5 million so far on her reelection campaign for Illinois’s 14th Congressional District. During Underwood’s first election, her expenditures totaled $4.89 million; that number has been exceeded, with Underwood spending $5.3 million for the 2019-2020 cycle so far.

Continue ReadingIllinois Rep. Lauren Underwood spends over $5 million on reelection campaign
Read more about the article Rep. Bill Foster’s spending focusing on staff payroll, donations in 2020 electionBill Foster's official website
The most recent official photograph of Rep. Bill Foster.

Rep. Bill Foster’s spending focusing on staff payroll, donations in 2020 election

Seeking re-election for a fourth consecutive cycle, Democratic incumbent congressional representative Bill Foster appears to be comfortably spending campaign money outside his own campaign, as he lacks an opponent capable of credibly threatening his seat. Running in the 11th Congressional District of Illinois for the House of Representatives, Foster’s campaign has spent $1,451,981 so far for his 2020 cycle according to the Federal Election Commission.

Continue ReadingRep. Bill Foster’s spending focusing on staff payroll, donations in 2020 election
Read more about the article Rep. Adam Kinzinger fundraising expenditures rise up while media expenses decrease in 2020Leah Herman
Adam Kinzinger

Rep. Adam Kinzinger fundraising expenditures rise up while media expenses decrease in 2020

Republican Rep. Adam Kinzinger showed an immense change in campaign fund spending for the current 2019-2020 Illinois' 16th Congressional District election campaign, which includes a decrease of media and advertising and an increase in fundraising spending. During his previous campaign, Kinzinger’s campaign budget consisted of spending $788,336 toward media-related purchases. However, he has spent only $60,169 in media purchases and $28,459 in advertising purchases so far for his current campaign, which is a total of $88,628.

Continue ReadingRep. Adam Kinzinger fundraising expenditures rise up while media expenses decrease in 2020