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.…

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Read more about the article Latest hospital safety grades released, area hospital withholds data from national surveyLeapfrog
Carle Foundation Hospital declined to provide safety information to Leapfrog, a group of national experts that surveys thousands of hospitals to produce a safety grade and measure against national medical standards.

Latest hospital safety grades released, area hospital withholds data from national survey

One area hospital's safety grade has declined since the pandemic began, and another withheld quality of care information from the organization.

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Read more about the article West Urbana residents criticize safety, impact of University’s plans to install novel nuclear reactor system
Image Source: USNC

West Urbana residents criticize safety, impact of University’s plans to install novel nuclear reactor system

The University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign’s proposal for deploying a micro nuclear reactor in west Urbana has sparked concern among local residents, who are…

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Read more about the article Urbana police stop giving out fines for underage drinking at bars during pandemic
Underage drinking citations from 2015 through November 2021 in Urbana, IL.

Urbana police stop giving out fines for underage drinking at bars during pandemic

Like the City of Champaign, Urbana issued no underage drinking citations or made any arrests last year through November 2021, according to police data…

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Read more about the article Urbana says “no” to license plate readers, but Champaign says “yes” in effort to reduce gun violence
A portion of the proposed automatic license plate readers in Champaign, bordered by light blue lines. Screenshot from Champaign study session document.

Urbana says “no” to license plate readers, but Champaign says “yes” in effort to reduce gun violence

Although Champaign voted in favor of implementing automated license plate readers (ALPRs) for $240,500 last month, Urbana rejected its $54,000 idea about a month…

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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. 

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Read more about the article Historic Urbana-Lincoln Hotel to welcome guests next year after numerous failed attempts to reopenDarrell Hoemann
Urbana Landmark Hotel, to be renamed Hotel Royer, undergoing remodeling on Friday, December 24, 2021. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Historic Urbana-Lincoln Hotel to welcome guests next year after numerous failed attempts to reopen

It has been an arduous journey since the early 2000s for the Urbana-Lincoln Hotel. There have been at least 7 different owners, 5 name changes, and millions of dollars in renovations and selling costs.  Both city officials and the new owner, Icon Hospitality, LLC, are now confident the hotel will not only successfully open in late 2022 but will bring in significant revenue.

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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.

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Read more about the article East Urbana residents worried about emissions from local asphalt plantDarrell Hoemann
Emulsicoat, Inc exterior (705 E University Ave, Urbana, IL 61802) on Sunday, December 19, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

East Urbana residents worried about emissions from local asphalt plant

Members of the Historic East Urbana neighborhood association said they are suffering through recurrent odors and potential pollution issues because of the emissions from Emulsicoat, a local asphalt plant. The most recent complaint, filed to the IEPA in early May 2021, stated “the stench in the East Urbana neighborhood was overwhelming” and that people noted physical problems tied to it. The investigation by Michael Haggitt and Mark Schleuter from that same month had limitations from the lack of hard evidence linking the odor to the suspected Emulsicoat source and recommended no further action beyond the community meeting they held a month prior to that in April. 

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