* Wow…

The Cook County medical examiner already has ruled on 10,000 deaths for the year, nearly 4,000 more than in all of 2019, with about half of this year’s cases involving COVID-19-related deaths, Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said Wednesday. [Emphasis added.]

* WGLT…

“If you walk into a grocery store, and you see 99 people wearing a mask, and you see a sign that says, ‘Please wear one,’ and you think to yourself, ‘Nah, I’m not gonna do that,’ you’re kind of a jerk, right?”

Yep. A total jerk.

* Pantagraph…

Now patrons must wear a mask during any interaction with wait staff, food service workers and other employees at restaurants and bars. Face coverings must be worn over the nose and mouth when customers are approached by staff, including when employees take orders, deliver food and beverages, and service tables.

Staff with Medici, 120 W. North St., haven’t faced any pushback against the rules so far and said guests have generally been understanding of the requirements, Slane said.

“Ever since it all started, we’ve had a guest here and there that aren’t really receptive to the mask issue to begin with,” he said. “Quite honestly, over the last couple of weeks, that has reduced from what it was before.”

Slane and other local restaurant owners said it seems as though people have become more compliant as more cases of COVID-19 are reported through the McLean County Health Department.

* Effingham Daily News…

Out of an abundance of caution, the Effingham Driver Services facility (444 S. Willow) is closed until Sept. 8 as a precaution because of an employee who tested positive for COVID-19.

The Illinois Department of Public Health has been consulted. Employees who work at the facility are being quarantined for 14 days and the facility is scheduled to be cleaned and sanitized according to CDC guidelines.

* Putting his residents in danger to own the libs…

New mitigation efforts in Region 7 has one local mayor issuing a statement saying he will not enforcement new mitigation efforts set forth by Governor Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health. Homer Glen Mayor George Yukich says while he and the Village Board have been supportive of past mitigation efforts, he says, “current requirements do not appear to be based on science and seem to be arbitrary. Region 4, which includes the Southwest area of Illinois has been under different resurgence mitigation requirements than our region. Their positivity rates have been higher for a longer period of time, but with fewer restrictions imposed on them. For example, their restaurants have been allowed to remain open for indoor dining. This is not being allowed for our region.” While the Village does not have a police department, they contract with the Will County Sherriff’s Department for public safety and law enforcement and will refer to the State of Illinois to enforcement new guidelines.

* Tribune live blog…

Indiana official advises voters to go early to polls as state adjusts to COVID-19 pandemic

A new report said 6 feet may not be enough for social distance. Here’s what local doctors said.

Abbott to hire 2,000 temporary workers in Gurnee to help make COVID-19 tests

US jobless claims drop again, but still over 1 million; Illinois unemployment filings rise

Notre Dame hikes security after quarantined students balk

Disneyland ready to open as soon as state gives the OK

FDA authorizes rapid $5 coronavirus test from Abbott.

Cook County’s medical examiner has ruled on 10,000 deaths already this year, with about half related to COVID-19.

* Sun-Times live blog…

Abbott’s new COVID-19 test produces results in 15 minutes: Here’s how it works

Abbott to hire 2,000 in Gurnee to produce COVID-19 test

More than half of the deaths reported so far this year in Cook County were related to COVID-19 — 5,030 as of Wednesday, according to the medical examiner’s office.