Monmouth Smithfield plant suspending operations
Smithfield Foods’ plant in Monmouth announced Friday that they will suspend operations at their facility beginning next week until further notice.
Most local counties add COVID cases on Illinois’ biggest one-day increase
Several local counties are reporting new cases of COVID-19 Friday, as the Illinois Department of Public Health announced the largest one-day increase in new cases yet, 2,724. That brings the state a total of 39,658 confirmed cases.
Cottage Hospital being sold, CEO says they’ll continue to provide local care
Cottage Hospital is being sold according to a memo Friday from CEO Bob Moore.
Knox and neighboring counties see big drop in labor force in March
Knox County’s unemployment rate maintained at 4.2 percent for the month of March, although coronavirus related closures didn’t reach full force until April.
Hill Correctional staff member confirmed to have COVID-19
The Illinois Department of Corrections lists one staff member at Henry C. Hill Correctional Facility in Galesburg as having tested positive for COVID-19.
City of Monmouth furloughs 10 workers
There have been weeks of distressing news about layoffs and furloughs in business and now a local municipality will do the same.
Warren County announces 13 more COVID cases, doubling cases in days
Warren County Health officials announced another 13 cases of COVID-19 in their county today, bringing them to a total of 32.
Tracy among lawmakers seeking information on inmates released
Following recent revelations that Gov. J.B. Pritzker has commuted prison sentences and released violent criminals, including convicted murderers, State Sen. Jil Tracy is joining with several Senate Republican lawmakers to submit a Freedom of Information Act request
Bustos announces COVID-19-related funding to support higher education
On Thursday, April 23rd, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos announced that higher education institutions across the region will receive over $30 million in federal funding in response to the coronavirus.
Sandburg administration recommending no tuition increases
The Carl Sandburg College Board of Trustees are scheduled to meet Thursday night with an item to leave tuition rates flat for next year.