STATE OFFICIALS SAY THEY ARE VERY CONCERNED ABOUT THE RISE IN COVID-19 CASES IN ILLINOIS.

THE STATE DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH IS REPORTING NEARLY 16-HUNDRED NEW CASES, THE HIGHEST DAILY TOTAL SINCE EARLY JUNE. DIRECTOR, DOCTOR NGOZI (en-gahzi) EZIKE (eh-zee-kay) SAYS EVERYONE NEEDS TO TAKE THE THREAT SERIOUSLY AND NOT UNDO THE GAINS ILLINOIS HAS ALREADY MADE. THAT INCLUDES WEARING A MASK AND SOCIALLY DISTANCING.

GOVERNOR J-B PRITZKER SAYS THE CORONAVIRUS IS HERE TO STAY AND KNOWS NO BOUNDARIES.

THE GOVERNOR HAS SAID IF NUMBERS KEEP INCREASING, SOME AREAS MAY FACE RESTRICTIONS AGAIN. THE CITY OF CHICAGO HAS ALREADY CRACKED DOWN ON BARS AND RESTAURANTS. THE METRO EAST AREA MAY BE NEXT.