Tracking the New Variant

PUBLIC POLICY CONNECTION

August 18, 2023

COVID-19 cases are on the rise once more. For the fourth week in a row, COVID-19 hospitalizations are on the rise, but experts note that, societally, we are more prepared as we are in a different place compared to the early days of the pandemic.

This news comes as the CDC announced it’s tracking a recently discovered COVID-19 variant. This variant is designated at BA.2.86 and hosts many mutations. While health organizations begin tracking this variant, it’s too early to tell if it will be more or less dangerous than the currently circulating strains of COVID-19.

The FDA and the CDC expect updated COVID-19 vaccines to be available by the end of September, with broader availability in October.

In Other News

The death toll from the tragic Maui wildfires reaches 111 with over 1,000 individuals still unaccounted for by officials.

State officials offer tips for student loan borrowers as repayments resume.

Governor Pritzker signs legislation that will allow work-based learning in FFA or 4-H to count as excused absences in school.

The 30-year fixed-rate mortgage hits a 21-year high.

The invasive yellow-legged hornet is spotted in the U.S. for the first time.

Hurricane Hilary strengthens to a Category 4 and is expected to impact the Southwest United States.

President Donald Trump was indicted for the fourth time with charges from Georgia pertaining to the 2020 election.

The Champaign County Regional Planning Commission opens their new early education center in honor of the late Elizabeth Murphy.

The I-57/I-74 Ramp closes for two years as part of the interchange’s reconstruction.

Area businesses receive a total of over $500,000 from the State of Illinois’ Back 2 Business grant program.

Bids and RFPs

City of Champaign: Request for Proposals: 2023 MDCs, Docks, Mounts, Printers and Software for Police Squad Cars; Electronic Procurement System

City of Urbana: Invitation to Bid: Pavement Patching 2023

Champaign County: Request for Proposals: Fiber Optic Loop Cable Replacement

Village of Mahomet: None at this time.

Village of Rantoul: None at this time.

Village of Savoy: Request for Expressions of Interest: Downtown Savoy Development Opportunity.

C-UMTD: Request for Proposals: Lines of Credit

DISCLAIMER: Our Daily Updates and Public Policy Newsletters provide resources in the form of linked news articles so one can learn about happenings at the local, state, and federal level. We do not editorialize. We share headlines from reputable news sources so that you, the reader, can quickly determine what articles are of interest to you. With such a diverse membership and readership, we understand that not all articles will be favorably viewed. Should a reader find a headline or content as concerning, we encourage you to reach out to the Chamber and express your concern. The headlines and content are not our own unless it is specifically designated as such. Thank you.