The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Monday, Dec. 20, 2021

Brian Moline and Farrah Anderson
 
Most people who are hospitalized and dying due to COVID-19 in Champaign County are unvaccinated.

Most people who are hospitalized and dying due to COVID-19 in Champaign County are unvaccinated. Midwest Center for Investigative Reporting

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Monday, Dec. 20, 2021

Today's headlines:

  • State public health director Dr. Ngozi Ezike says people need to continue to follow COVID-19 prevention protocols, including getting vaccinated.

  • Beginning Jan. 1, Ameren Illinois customers will see an increase in their electric bill of around $2.50 per month. Some of the money will go toward ongoing upgrades to current grids and getting ready for future clean energy projects.

  • The number of active COVID-19 cases fell slightly over the weekend, but is still over 2,000, near an all-time high during the pandemic.

In today's deep dive, we'll hear from Awais Vaid at the Champaign-Urbana Public Health District about the state of Champaign County's intense wave of COVID-19 infection, and what the future holds.

217 Today is produced by Farrah Anderson. Reporting today contributed by Susan Stephens, Kevin Boucher and Dana Cronin.