Daywatch: Illinois expands vaccine access but Chicago will not, lakefront on endangered buildings list and 10 homes with outdoor space
Good morning, Chicago. State health officials on Wednesday announced 2,022 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and 44 additional fatalities. Meanwhile, Illinois expects to begin administering an average of 100,000 doses per day by mid-March, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said. The governor’s comments came as health officials reported that 55,947 vaccine doses were administered Tuesday, reaching a statewide total of 2,310,929.
In other news, for many homeowners in the Chicago area, this is the winter of the ice dam. If you’re struggling with them, you’re not alone — and insurers say they have the claims to prove it.
Here’s more coronavirus news and other top stories you need to know to start your day.
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Illinois begins offering COVID-19 vaccine to people with health conditions Thursday, but most Chicago-area counties will not. Here’s why.
Illinois is expanding COVID-19 vaccine eligibility to people under age 65 with health conditions Thursday, but it likely will be difficult for Chicago-area residents to find shots in coming days.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Feb. 10 that he planned to expand vaccination phase 1b to include younger people with certain health issues, starting Feb. 25. But most Chicago-area health departments are not on board with that plan, saying they don’t have nearly enough vaccine doses to expand by Thursday. Here’s what to know.
A Chicago gym spurred outbreak of 55 COVID-19 cases after infected patrons attended indoor workouts last summer. Mask use was ‘infrequent.’
Illinois COVID-19 vaccine tracker: Here’s where the state stands
Michael Madigan’s hand-picked successor in state House resigns just three days after being installed
Former Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan’s hand-picked successor for the legislative seat he held for a half-century resigned Wednesday, just three days after being appointed and hours after Madigan called on him to step down.
The episode involving 26-year-old Edward Guerra Kodatt, a now-former assistant in 13th Ward Ald. Marty Quinn’s office, represents a significant and unusual embarrassment for the ex-speaker, who has been meticulous about trying to avoid controversy in the ward and district public service operation he has run for decades.
Speaker Emanuel ‘Chris’ Welch wants a graduated income tax do-over — this time tied to pension funding
Former Democratic lawmaker, two sons hit with tax charges in ComEd lobbying probe
A transgender flag and a personal attack: Illinois U.S. Rep. Marie Newman and Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene feud over LGBTQ rights
Illinois U.S. Rep. Marie Newman’s push to pass a law that would ban discrimination against LGBTQ Americans has put her at the center of a feud with controversial Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, a pro-Trump freshman congresswoman from Georgia who has espoused baseless conspiracy theories.
Chicago lakefront, Catholic churches top newest list of city’s most endangered historic buildings
Topping Preservation Chicago’s annual list of the city’s most endangered historic buildings is something that isn’t a building at all. The Chicago lakefront, declared in 1836 to remain “forever open, clear and free,” could be permanently altered by the proposed Obama Presidential Center in Jackson Park, the group said Wednesday.
The endangered list also includes Roman Catholic churches throughout the city that Preservation Chicago said it wanted to highlight as the Archdiocese of Chicago closes or consolidates parishes at an accelerated rate.
Photos: Preservation Chicago’s list of the city’s most endangered historic buildings
10 Chicago homes with elbow room and outdoor spaces to cure cramped, snowy winter woes
Record-setting snowfall and bitter cold days will pass eventually, allowing cramped, housebound Chicagoans to stretch their legs in the open outdoors once again. So for those looking for a little more elbow room in Chicago, here are 10 homes for sale where bigger — backyards, lot size or rooms — is definitely better.
