(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Public Health is adopting updated guidance from the Centers for Disease Control that streamlins and simplifies recommendations for dealing with a range of respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV. The new CDC guidance focuses on protecting those most at risk of serious illness. The biggest change in the new rules deals with COVID-19, no longer requiring those that test positive for it to isolate for a minimum of five days before returning to work or other activities. Instead the new guidance focuses on isolation until the COVID-19 symptoms improve which could be shorter or longer than five days time. For more details, go to the dph.illinois.gov website.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Association of County Clerks is concerned about a new bill that it says would make it more difficult to find polling places. While the current state statute says if a county board chooses a school to be a polling place, mostly because schools are ADA compliant and accessible to those who are handicapped, then the school district must make the school available, the new House Bill 4709 would amend the statute to allow school boards to deny a County Clerk’s access to public school buildings for use as polling places. The bill has its first hearing in the House Ethics & Elections Committee tomorrow.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has announced that applications for Round 2 of the Cannabis Social Equity Loan Program are now open. With the program, $12 million is available through Direct Forgivable Loans fully financed by taxpayer funds with loan amounts, up to $240,000, to be provided to qualified, licensed social equity dispensaries. Applicants will be selected based on factors including social equity status, financial need, and progress toward becoming operational.
(SPRINGFIELD) The Illinois Department of Human Services has recognized this month of March as Problem Gambling Awareness Month. To raise awareness around gambling disorders and in honor of those in recovery, participating buildings will be lit up in the color “teal” throughout Illinois, plus a statewide art contest is being held to shine a spotlight on the power of recovery. For more, go the dhs.state.il.us website online.