Coronavirus in Illinois updates: Pritzker says COVID-19 ‘remains a serious

Illinois health officials on Wednesday announced 1,598 new known cases of COVID-19, the highest number in the month of July so far.

Though Illinois has a positivity rate half that of neighboring states, Gov. J.B. Pritzker said at an news conference COVID-19 has “no boundaries” and it would not take long to reverse the state’s progress.

Pritzker also addressed virus deniers and encouraged residents to wear face coverings in public settings.

“This virus is not a blue state virus or a red state virus … going out without a mask is not a political statement,” he said.

A day earlier, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that people traveling from Kansas to Chicago will need to quarantine for 14 days, effective Friday. Kansas became the latest state added to the city’s Emergency Travel Order. The city also continues to monitor a surge of COVID-19 in neighboring Wisconsin.

Here’s what’s happening Wednesday regarding COVID-19 in the Chicago area and Illinois:

2:35 p.m.: United expands mask requirement as spike in COVID-19 cases stalls travel rebound

United Airlines is broadening requirements for where passengers must wear masks as a surge in COVID-19 cases stalls slowly recovering interest in air travel.

Travelers over age 2 must wear face coverings in gate and baggage claim areas, airline lounges and customer service counters and kiosks, in addition to on board. Those who refuse can be banned from flying United while masks are required, and possibly longer. Travelers who believe “extraordinary circumstances” warrant exception can contact the airline, United said.

2:08 p.m.: Indiana Gov. Eric Holcomb imposing statewide face mask order to slow the coronavirus spread

Indiana will have a statewide face mask mandate starting next week, joining many other states in the attempt to slow the coronavirus spread, Gov. Eric Holcomb said Wednesday.

The order will apply to anyone ages 8 and older in any indoor public or business areas and at outdoor public spaces when sufficient distancing can’t be maintained. The order will take effect Monday.

Holcomb said his order will also require masks in schools for grades 3 and above by students, teachers and other employees.

1:55 p.m.: Laid-off workers brace for expiration of the extra $600 in unemployment benefits helping them get by. ‘It’s a slap in the face.’

The extra $600 weekly in federal unemployment benefits that people have been receiving during the pandemic is set to expire this weekend. After that, the jobless will be eligible only for regular state unemployment aid, which in Illinois pays 47% of a person’s regular wages, up to a maximum of $484 a week.

For the millions who remain out work, including many in industries that were decimated by stay-at-home mandates and won’t get back to normal for some time, the…