Effingham County voters on Tuesday overwhelmingly said they want Chicago to separate from the rest of Illinois. A local referendum favored that by a margin of 73.8 percent to 26.2 percent.

As the coronavirus spreads and local, state and national governments work to contain and mitigate the outbreak, the Tribune is tracking Illinois cases.

An urgent call is being made for donors to step forward. The U.S. Surgeon General made it clear that coronavirus fears should not stop donations. “You can still go out and give blood. Social distancing does not have to mean social disengagement,” he said.

The economic upheaval caused by COVID-19 is expected to cause demands placed on food pantries to skyrocket; the response has been complicated by a virus that requires people to avoid the kind of close interaction typical in food packaging and distribution.

“They’re worried about civil unrest,” said Richard Pearson, executive director of the Illinois State Rifle Association.

House Speaker Michael Madigan’s chief of staff said in an email to state representatives Wednesday that the House’s session schedule remains “in flux” and lawmakers “should be prepared to return to Springfield to address urgent matters.”

The declaration, which is effective through April 12, enables haulers to get free overweight trucking permits from the Illinois Department of Transportation for the transportation of supplies needed during the pandemic.

Official voter turnout numbers won’t be available for two weeks.

With bars, restaurants, conventions, hotel cancellations and other economic activity at a virtual standstill, local tax revenue is expected to decline.

“It’s an embarrassment and a stark reminder of why the policy decisions made in Springfield should matter to everyone who lives in Illinois.”

“You don’t have to wait for the train to run over you before you get out of the way,” Champaign City Attorney Fred Stavins said. “It’s important that this is an effort to get ahead of this rather than wait for the worst situation in the community.”

Without preventative policy action, Illinois could face a state budget deficit of $6.3 billion more than expected, widespread job losses as businesses struggle to cope with reduced economic activity, and a slide toward insolvency for the state’s pension systems.

“And remember: The candidates nominated on Tuesday have to face you again in November. If they don’t deliver for you in this year of health, finance and ethical crises, oust them in the general election. You can do better.”

Comment: Nothing particular to Illinois in this article, but it explains how we are driving blind, and perhaps foolishly over a an economic cliff.

Perhaps 1.7 million adults living in Illinois are projected to get the virus over the course of the pandemic, with thousands expected to become sick enough to need a hospital bed, the analysis found.