By Dave Dahl
SPRINGFIELD – Illinois’ Department of Public Health director, Dr. Ngozi Ezike, was all smiles Thursday.
“You did it!” she exclaimed. “Illinois is being touted across the country (as) getting it right
Ezike praised Illinoisans for wearing face masks, washing their hands, and staying six feet away from everybody else, allowing the state to move to Phase Four of Gov. JB Pritzker’s Restore Illinois coronavirus recovery plan. But the finish line is still far away.
“As more aspects of the economy open, and as more person-to-person interactions take place,” Pritzker said, “there are many more opportunities for the spread of COVID-19. The virus has not gone away.”
Phase Four means more commerce, gatherings of up to fifty people, and some indoor restaurant dining.
The state Thursday reported 139,434 cases, including 6,810 deaths.
Dave Dahl can be reached at News@WJBC.com.
