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People wear mask inside of Walgreens in Wheeling, Ill., Wednesday, Aug.18, 2021.
AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh

Pritzker Reinstates Mask Mandate

On August 26, Governor JB Pritzker announced a reinstated mask mandate for all Illinoisans aged two and over in public indoor settings, in addition to making Illinois the seventh state in the nation to require teachers get vaccinated against COVID-19.

An aerial shot of Peoria's South End where buyers from out of state have been buying dilapidated homes this summer
Ricky Carioti/The Washington Post

Peoria Real Estate Rush

For years, Peoria’s south end has been dying: decaying homes, a lack of investment, and fleeing residents, but this summer, buyers from all over America — some of whom had never even heard of Peoria — started buying up homes sight unseen. And that's raising concerns.

Moldy Mary And Illinois’ State Microbe

Why is Illinois one of the few states that now has designated a microscopic organism as its own? We talk to an archivist and research chemist about the history behind last week's announcement.

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