Good afternoon! Find out where you can get tested for COVID-19, hear from the governor on his graduated income tax proposal and more from WILL's Illinois Newsroom and The 21st.
The state has expanded criteria to allow anyone to get tested for COVID-19, regardless of symptoms. Public testing sites offer free testing regardless of insurance, no doctor's referral needed.
➕The 21st spoke to experts about new studies that indicate the virus was circulating around the country earlier than previously thought.
With cases surging in Illinois, the governor is bringing back some restrictions in the state. Gov. Pritzker joined The 21st to talk about the rise in COVID-19 cases and his signature policy proposal, the graduated income tax, that is on the ballot next week.
➕Voters in Illinois can change the state's income-tax structure from a flat rate to a graduated income tax on next week's ballot. The 21st weighs the pros and cons of the proposal.
Republican candidate Mary Miller has not responded to invitation to appear with her Democratic opponent, Erika Weaver, at candidate debates and forums (including a debate Illinois Public Media offered to host). The IL-15 congressional candidate says she's still meeting with voters.
State Rep. Darren Bailey says he will continue his court battle against Gov. J.B. Pritzker for his use of emergency powers during the pandemic. Rep. Bailey spoke about the lawsuit at a Restore Illinois rally on Oct. 24. Bailey formed the Restore Illinois PAC with other conservatives in east central Illinois.
Just like it was two years ago, IIlinois' 13th Congressional District is one of the most closely watched House races in the country, WGLT's Ryan Denham reports.
In other news
Illinois Newsroom covered how addiction treatment helped a Springfield woman feel prepared to handle pandemic stress, and The 21st shared how to safely celebrate Halloween.
Pandemic-related stressors make people in recovery more vulnerable to relapse. And many experts fear that as the COVID-19 pandemic continues, the nation's addiction crisis will worsen. But Barbara Allen got treatment in 2019 for her addiction and untreated anxiety. When the pandemic hit, she says that she was prepared for anything.
Next week's question:
With a record number of Illinoisans voting ahead of Election Day, what has your voting experience been like? What voting method are you choosing, and why?
Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced two new manufacturing training academies would be created in downstate Illinois. Pritzker spoke at Eden Park Illumination, a Champaign start-up that produces UV lighting. He said manufacturing businesses are continuing to hire, but many struggle to find qualified workers.
With COVID-19 cases rising, an epidemiologist joins The 21st to discuss different ways to celebrate Halloween safely.
➕Want to go to a spooky place in Illinois? The 21st spoke to the co-owner of the Haunted Galena tour company and an author who writes about haunted sites around the country.
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