Read more about the article The story behind the race to test for COVID-19 at the University of IllinoisUniversity of Illinois
The logo for the University of Illinois's COVID-19 SHIELD saliva-based testing.

The story behind the race to test for COVID-19 at the University of Illinois

It was late the evening of April 22, 2020 when Martin Burke, a then 44-year-old professor of chemistry, received a phone call from the university provost. The provost, Andreas Cangellaris, requested that Burke develop a COVID-19 testing program for the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign campus.  Over the next week, Burke gathered eight more team members, forming the founding members of what was known as the SHIELD team. The first SHIELD meeting was held on April 30, 2020, just eight days after the Provost’s call.

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Read more about the article City of Champaign no longer enforcing underage drinking laws at Campustown bars during pandemic
Champaign-Urbana social-media community exploded in hundreds of comments under the Facebook and Reddit posts discussing a long line of people waiting at the entrance of one of the campus bars – Red Lion, on January 23, 2021.

City of Champaign no longer enforcing underage drinking laws at Campustown bars during pandemic

It’s no secret that some underage students at the University of Illinois like to drink at nearby Campustown bars, and that those under 21 have ample opportunity to violate the law at Campustown bars. But throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Champaign Police Department has made it even easier for minors to get away with underage drinking at the local campus bars.

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Read more about the article University of Illinois building monitors inconsistently enforced access while campus COVID cases surgedVivian La
A vacant building monitor desk in the School of Literatures, Cultures and Linguistics in Urbana.

University of Illinois building monitors inconsistently enforced access while campus COVID cases surged

To mitigate infection, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign had to utilize several novel technologies, yet lack of staff availability to enforce this technology…

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Read more about the article Champaign elementary students grapple with masks, vaccinesDarrell Hoemann
Kenwood School on Sunday, December 19, 2021. photo by Darrell Hoemann/C-U Citizen Access

Champaign elementary students grapple with masks, vaccines

For one Champaign Unit 4 school parent, vaccinating his child is important.  “How can you go against science?” Daniel Martinez said. “I lost my…

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Read more about the article Champaign-Urbana Nursing and Rehab site of most staff, resident COVID-19 cases in countyDarrell Hoemann
CU Nursing and Rehab exterior (302 Burwash Ave, Savoy, IL 61874) on Friday, December 17, 2021. Photo by Darrell Hoemann/CU-CitizenAccess

Champaign-Urbana Nursing and Rehab site of most staff, resident COVID-19 cases in county

Of the five long-term care facilities in Champaign County, Champaign-Urbana Nursing and Rehab has had the most staff and resident COVID-19 cases, accounting for over one-third of all cases in such facilities as of the first week in December.

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Read more about the article Ebertfest prices increased up to 50% prior to postponing due to COVID-19Danielle Sheppard
Virginia Theatre, 203 W. Park Ave., Champaign, Illinois

Ebertfest prices increased up to 50% prior to postponing due to COVID-19

Prices for Ebertfest tickets soared this year with passes increasing between 35% and 50% from 2020 to 2021, depending on the type of pass. The annual film festival started by the late film critic Roger Ebert in Champaign-Urbana in 1999, was scheduled for September 8 to 11 at the Virginia Theatre in Champaign, but was delayed again because of concerns about COVID-19 pandemic. The festival had previously been called off in the spring of 2020 due similar concerns about COVID-19, but returned this fall with the price increases.

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Read more about the article Nearly 8,000 students may be coming from Illinois zip codes with higher COVID infection rates than Champaign CountyMcKinley Health Center website
McKinley Health Center on the University of Illinois campus.

Nearly 8,000 students may be coming from Illinois zip codes with higher COVID infection rates than Champaign County

Almost 8,000 students may be returning to the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign campus from Illinois ZIP codes with higher COVID-19 positivity rates than Champaign…

Continue ReadingNearly 8,000 students may be coming from Illinois zip codes with higher COVID infection rates than Champaign County
Read more about the article University of Illinois COVID discipline policies under fire after another “unfair” dismissal of graduate studentGEO YouTube
Antonio Ruiz gave an emotional statement and proposed changes to discipline procedures during the Graduate Employees Organization (GEO) press conference in late April.

University of Illinois COVID discipline policies under fire after another “unfair” dismissal of graduate student

While the Graduate Employees Organization and some professors were pushing the University for the changes in COVID disciplinary and testing procedures, a graduate student in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences, Antonio Ruiz, was dismissed from the University for not complying with the COVID-19 testing policy. But the University has not deemed it necessary to review its procedures so far, even as calls for change are amplified by social media.

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Read more about the article ‘Unique historical fear’ of Carle Health billing practices may lead some to skip COVID-19 vaccine, health officials worryGavin Good
Carle Foundation Hospital North Tower.

‘Unique historical fear’ of Carle Health billing practices may lead some to skip COVID-19 vaccine, health officials worry

The hospital's decades-long reputation for aggressively billing patients has resurfaced anew during the pandemic.

Continue Reading‘Unique historical fear’ of Carle Health billing practices may lead some to skip COVID-19 vaccine, health officials worry