217 Today: Wednesday March 10, 2021

Today’s headlines:

• Two of the big three U.S. credit ratings agencies are weighing in on Illinois’ finances a year into the COVID-19 pandemic.

• llinois has the most stringent laws in the nation regarding what kinds of biometric information companies can collect from both employees and customers. The law has also made Illinois a hot spot for class action lawsuits under the state’s Biometric Information Privacy Act, and Tuesday Illinois lawmakers took a small step forward in paring back the law, passing a bill out of committee that seeks to rein it in.

• The House of Representatives is expected to pass another COVID-19 relief bill this week. Peter Medlin has more on just how expensive this year has been for schools.

• Champaign-Urbana public health officials say 330 doses of the COVID-19 vaccines were administered on Monday. More than 37,000 people have been fully vaccinated against the coronavirus in Champaign County.

In today’s deep dive, a Champaign Unit 4 teacher was recently named a finalist for the Illinois Golden Apple Excellence in Teaching Award. She talks with Illinois Newsroom's Education Reporter Lee Gaines about the challenges and successes of teaching during the pandemic.

217 Today is produced by Olivia Butts. Reporting today contributed by Hannah Meisel, Peter Medlin, and Lee Gaines.