The 217 Today Podcast

217 Today: Wednesday, July 14, 2021

 
Squash being distributed at a summer food program in Amboy, Illinois.

Squash being distributed at a summer food program in Amboy, Illinois. Peter Medlin/WNIJ

Wednesday, July 14, 2021

Today's headlines:

  • As the Delta variant of the coronavirus spikes COVID-19 caseloads and hospitalizations in Missouri, Illinois regions near the Missouri border have seen huge jumps in test positivity, too.

  • State Treasurer Mike Frerichs says state lawmakers and Governor Pritzker did a good job in passing a balanced budget this year and need to continue doing so every year.

  • After a year’s delay due to the COVID-19 pandemic, work has begun on renovating a downtown Urbana hotel that’s been closed since 2016. Plans are to rename the former Urbana Landmark Hotel as the Hotel Royer.

  • Rising COVID-19 rates in other states have prompted Chicago to restart a travel order.

In today's deep dive, it’s summer, and schools are searching for silver linings from their COVID-19 school year. We look at one pandemic idea that has lasted: summer food programs. 

Reporting today contributed by Hannah Meisel, Jim Meadows and Peter Medlin.

Tags