Latest news with #WGN


UPI
2 days ago
- Health
- UPI
First West Nile case of 2025 hits Illinois
Officials reported that Illinois confirmed its first human case of West Nile virus this year. Photo by Adobe Stock/HealthDay News Illinois has confirmed its first human case of West Nile virus this year, health officials say. The person, who lives in southern Illinois, was hospitalized with complications from the mosquito-borne virus, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This is the earliest West Nile virus case reported in Illinois since 2016. Health officials say it's a sign that mosquito season is off to an early start and that people should take steps to protect themselves, WGN reported. "The fact that we are seeing the first human case of West Nile virus so early in the season serves as a timely reminder - especially for seniors and those with weakened immune systems - to protect yourself from illnesses caused by mosquito bites," Dr. Sameer Vohra, director of the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) said. West Nile virus spreads through the bite of a Culex mosquito - also known as a house mosquito - that has gotten the virus while feeding on an infected bird. Most people who get the virus don't have any symptoms. But some may have fever, nausea, headaches or muscle aches that last from a few days to several weeks. In rare cases, the virus can cause serious health problems like paralysis or meningitis. People over 60 or those with weak immune systems are more likely to get very sick. About 1 in every 150 people infected develops severe symptoms that can affect the brain, spinal cord and nerves. So far in 2025, mosquitoes carrying the virus have been found in 19 counties across Illinois. The first batch of virus-positive mosquitoes this year was discovered in Rockford, Ill., on May 9. In 2024, the state had 69 confirmed human cases of West Nile virus, including 13 deaths - the highest number of deaths since 2018, WGN reported. A county is considered "positive" for the virus if it's found in a mosquito, horse or person living there. Illinois counties reporting the virus this year include: Bureau, Christian, Clinton, Cook, DeKalb, DuPage, Fulton, Grundy, Hancock, Henry, Marshall, McDonough, McHenry, Peoria, Scott, Stark, Tazewell, Wayne and Winnebago. Last year, West Nile virus was found in 72 of Illinois' 102 counties, WGN said. The Illinois Department of Public Health reminds people to "Fight the Bite" with the "Three R's": REDUCE places where mosquitoes breed. Get rid of standing water in flowerpots, old tires, bird baths and wading pools. Fix torn screens and keep doors and windows closed if possible. REPEL mosquitoes by wearing long sleeves, pants and insect repellent. Use products with DEET, picaridin, oil of lemon eucalyptus, IR 3535, para-menthane-diol (PMD) or 2-undecanone. Always follow label directions, and ask your doctor before using repellents on babies. REPORT standing water that doesn't drain for more than a week, such as roadside ditches or flooded yards. Your local health department may be able to treat the area to stop mosquitoes from breeding. More information The Cleveland Clinic has more on West Nile virus. Copyright © 2025 HealthDay. All rights reserved.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Pritzker, Welch celebrate Juneteenth at Hillside Memorial Park District
HILLSIDE, Ill. (WGN) — From the city to the suburbs, Juneteenth celebrations are happening all across Chicagoland. In the western suburbs, Governor JB Pritzker and Illinois Speaker of the House Emanuel 'Chris' Welch joined local families at Hillside Memorial Park District for Welch's fourth annual Juneteenth celebration held at the park. Pritzker: 'Abraham Lincoln is the one who signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Our greatest president. What state was he from?' Crowd: 'Illinois!' Pritzker: 'Alright. What was the first state to ratify the 13th Amendment, ending slavery?' Crowd: 'Illinois!' The event featured activities for the entire family, from a performance by the Jesse White Tumblers, to a litany of local food and art vendors for attendees to peruse, and free haircuts from James Blakes the Mobile Barber. Juneteenth celebrates and honors African Americans' journey to freedom in the United States. On June 19, 1865, word finally reached the last enslaved African Americans in Texas that their emancipation was made formal, which officially brought an end to slavery nationwide. 'I just think it's really important that we keep this going and keep growing all of the traditions that we have for this,' Blakes said. 'And Juneteenth, it needs to be cherished. You know, it's a very important thing for the African American community.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pritzker expected to announce campaign for third term as Illinois Governor on Thursday
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (NEXSTAR) — Governor JB Pritzker is expected to announce his campaign for a third term as Illinois Governor on Thursday. Multiple sources told WGN and the Nexstar Capitol Bureau that Pritzker has campaign announcement events scheduled for different parts of the state on Thursday. Pritzker has largely been noncommittal when talking about his political future. If he wins, he will be the first Illinois Democratic Governor to ever serve more than two terms. Former Republican Governor Jim Thompson previously served three terms. Pritzker defends Illinois' immigration laws to congressional committee Close allies of the Governor would not say whether he was definitively running or not, but they said they hope he does. 'The governor turned around a state that had a bond rating just barely above junk status, thanks to former Governor Rauner, who ran the state into the ground, didn't pay her bills, and has delivered several balanced budgets since he's been in office and raised our rating a bond rating significantly,' U.S. Senator Tammy Duckworth said in an interview Tuesday. 'I am, like everyone else is, waiting to see if he decides to run for reelection. And if he does, I will support him.' More recently, Pritzker has faced criticism on two fronts — the state's immigration policies and the increases in state spending that has happened under his watch. The state's budget climbed above $55 billion this year. Republicans roundly criticized it for being almost a $14 billion increase in the budget since before Pritzker took office. Pritzker's office defends that increase by attributing it to a combination of inflation and increases in mandated spending, like on education, pensions and other essential programs. State audit finds IL massively overspent on undocumented immigrant health care program Pritzker's national profile has exploded in recent years, as he has become a top critic of President Donald Trump. The Illinois Governor was viewed as a potential replacement candidate for Democrats when Former President Joe Biden dropped out of the race in 2024, and he has only continued to fuel speculation about his presidential ambitions since. Pritzker has spoken at numerous Democratic party events in other states, continued to be a vocal critic of the Trump administration and overall just tried to expand his image beyond Illinois. Pritzker's partner on the campaign trail the past two cycles, Lt. Governor Julianna Stratton, is on her own campaign now. She is running to replace Senator Dick Durbin in the U.S. Senate. Gov. Pritzker endorses Stratton's run for Senate 'Whatever he decides to announce, I'll leave that up to him,' Stratton said. 'But all I can speak to is our partnership which was, and continues to be, a partnership of deep mutual respect. I love working alongside of him and I can say he's the best governor in the United States.' Seeing that Stratton won't be joining him on the ticket, Pritzker needs to pick a new running mate. That choice would be important if he does move on to a different office, since they would be first in line to take over governing Illinois. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Pritzker to announce reelection bid Thursday: sources
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WGN) — The most dominant figure in Illinois politics wants to stick around a while longer. Gov. JB Pritzker is running for re-election, sources tell WGN News. He's scheduled multiple campaign-style events this Thursday to kick off his campaign for a third term. The primary is next March, with the general election to follow in November. 'Illinois has never had a Democratic governor win for a third term so this would be a first. That said, Republicans have with of course the famous Big Jim Thompson.' The announcement addresses Pritzker's short-term future while questions about his national ambitions linger. If he's successful in 2026, will he run for president in 2028? 'It means he will in a couple of years have of a lot of questions from the press and people saying, 'What are you really after?' But look, he wouldn't be the first governor who is reelected and then shifts their eyes toward the presidency. That kind of thing happens every election cycle.' Pritzker sticking around avoids a Democratic party succession fight. The billionaire heir to the Hyatt Hotel fortunate has pumped at least $350 million of his own money into his and other campaigns in Illinois. The Lt. Governor, Juliana Stratton, will not be joining Pritzker seeking a third term. She's running in the Democratic primary for U.S. Senate where national topics are on her mind. 'Women are taking to the streets, saying it's important that we protect our reproductive freedom, but look at this: we need to restore Roe v. Wade,' she said. With Stratton eyeing federal office, Pritzker must now find a new running mate. Sources say he's come up with a shortlist that includes State Rep. Jehan Gordon-Booth and Deputy Governor Andy Manar. Pritzker is not expected to name his pick this week. 'Whatever he decides to announce, I'll leave that up to him,' Stratton said. 'But all I can speak to is our partnership which was, and continues to be, a partnership of deep mutual respect. I love working alongside him and I can say he's the best governor in the United States.' The Pritzker campaign has not responded to a request for comment. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Teresa Giudice Ditches Interview After News Anchor Asks, ‘How Is It That a Family Doesn't Pay Their Taxes for Years?'
The Queen must not be questioned! This morning, Real Housewives of New Jersey star Teresa Giudice was on a Zoom interview with WGN in Chicago. All was well, until they asked Tre a question that was too shady for the Jersey diva. The video from WGN has since been removed from YouTube. Thankfully, Instagram account @nofilterwithzack scooped it up. 'What's going to happen with the reboot of [The Real Housewives of] New Jersey?' the female reporter asked. 'Are you going to be involved in it at all?' 'I hope,' she responded. 'I'm the OG, yes. So we'll see what happens.' 'You'll have to ask Bravo for that,' she added. Then the male half of the news team (Larry Potash) dropped the bombshell. 'How is it that a family doesn't pay their taxes for years?' he wondered. In call you don't recall, he's referring to that time that Teresa and her ex-husband Joe Giudice didn't pay taxes. Subsequently, they both went to 'camp' for several months. Teresa pretended to look perplexed as she blinked a few times and asked, 'Um, what family are you talking about?' 'Your family,' Larry said. After fuming for a few seconds, Tre simply said, 'Okay, I'm done now.' And she turned off her phone. End of interview. That didn't go well. Actually, I'd kind of like to know the answer to that question, too. I've always been afraid that the IRS would come after me if I so much as made a mistake on my taxes. Further, I'd be terrified to just not even file a return by April 15. It's just part of American life. Apparently, Teresa didn't learn her lesson with Joe, because she and her second husband Luis Ruelas are also now having tax issues. The Real Housewives of New Jersey is now streaming on Peacock in the US and on Hayu in the UK and Ireland. TELL US – DO YOU THINK THE REPORTER'S QUESTION WAS APPROPRIATE? OR WAS IT JUST A 'GOTCHA' MOMENT? The post Teresa Giudice Ditches Interview After News Anchor Asks, 'How Is It That a Family Doesn't Pay Their Taxes for Years?' appeared first on Reality Tea.