Gretchen Teske
WGN Radio 720
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Past articles by Gretchen:
First case of monkeypox confirmed in Illinois
CHICAGO, Ill. (WMBD) — An adult male from Chicago has the first confirmed case of monkeypox in the State of Illinois, according to health officials. The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is working with the CDC and the patient’s health care provider to identify anyone else he may have been in contact with. The […] → Read More
What does it take to buy an assault rifle in Illinois?
Tuesday’s massacre in Uvelde, TX, was the spark that reignited the debate over gun control. → Read More
Find out how healthy your county is
ILLINOIS (WMBD) — A list ranking the health status of each of Illinois’ 102 counties has been released. According to countyhealthranksings.org, DuPage County tops the list as the healthiest, and Alexander County rounds out the bottom as the least healthy. To formulate the list, county demographics, health behaviors, clinical care, social and economic factors, and […] → Read More
Pritzker lifts public transportation mask mandate in Illinois
CHICAGO, Ill. (WMBD) — Masks are off in Illinois for those using public transportation. Gov. JB Pritzker made the announcement Tuesday, citing the federal mask mandate lift that no longer requires those using public transportation to wear a mask. In Illinois, masks will no longer be required on public transit, in public transit hubs, or […] → Read More
Russia places sanctions on Illinois lawmakers
Multiple Illinois lawmakers have been sanctioned by the Russian government. → Read More
9 child sexual assault charges land Bloomington man in jail
BLOOMINGTON, Ill. (WMBD) — A months-long investigation has finally ended in an arrest. Wilmer A. Marquez-Ayala, 35, of Bloomington, was arrested on nine McLean County warrants as a result of a sex offense investigation that started in November. During the investigation, police learned Marquez-Ayala sexually assaulted a juvenile for about a year. To protect the […] → Read More
Lincoln College closing after 157 years
LINCOLN, Ill. (WMBD) — Lincoln College will permanently close effective May 13, 2022. The Board of Trustees has voted to end all academic programming at the end of the spring semester. The college experienced record-breaking student enrollment in Fall 2019, with residence halls at maximum capacity. Unfortunately, the pandemic impacted recruitment and fundraising efforts, sporting […] → Read More
Ezike to step down as IDPH director
CHICAGO, Ill. (WMBD) — After leading Illinois through a deadly pandemic, Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike is stepping down. Gov. JB Pritzker made the announcement during a press conference on Tuesday. Pritzker went on to say she attended 161 press conferences with him and was a, “beacon of stability for […] → Read More
I-39 near El Paso shut down for 12 hours, 100 plus vehicles backed up
BLOOMINGTON/NORMAL, Ill. (WMBD) — Multiple agencies are reporting a major crash. According to police, I39 southbound is expected to be closed for about 12 hours. The Normal Police Department posted on its Facebook page Thursday afternoon that 1-39 was closed at El Paso. The Illinois State Police are on scene at the “mass collision” on […] → Read More
Pritzker fights back after judge issues temporary restraining order on school mask, vaccine, and testing mandates
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) — Local school districts not in favor of the mask mandate are celebrating a win- but the governor is fighting back. A Sangamon County judge has ruled that beginning Monday, schools would no longer have to enforce a mask or vaccine, or COVID-19 testing mandate, according to a report by WCIA. However, […] → Read More
Man arrested for slew of charges related to making his own automatic weapon
While at the hospital, officers learned the passenger was attempting to destroy a “multi-piece auto sear” also known as a “fully automatic switch kit” that can convert a firearm into an automatic weapon while being treated for his injuries. → Read More
Former state’s attorney John Milhiser announces bid for Secretary of State
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) — Former United States Attorney and State’s Attorney John Milhiser announced Tuesday he is running for Illinois Secretary of State. The Republican nominee is entering the race in an attempt to replace retiring Jesse White, the current Illinois Secretary of State. Milhiser’s professional experience stems from being Sangamon County State’s Attorney for […] → Read More
Pritzker, hospital leaders urge hospitals to postpone non-emergency surgeries during omicron surge
In anticipation of a likely surge of post-holiday COVID-19 cases and a potential shortage of staffed ICU beds, Gov. J.B. Pritzker and the Illinois Health and Hospital Association are urging hospitals to take every possible measure to maintain and expand bed capacity, including postponing non-emergency surgeries and other procedures as needed and without risking patient harm. → Read More
Illinois man dies after falling from a ‘significant height’ at Caterpillar plant
A 50-year-old East Peoria man has been pronounced dead after falling from a “significant height” at the Caterpillar Mapleton Foundry. → Read More
Pritzker announces $300 million in relief grants for Illinois childcare providers
CHICAGO, Ill. (WMBD) — A whopping $300 million in relief grants will be provided for licensed Illinois child care providers. At a press conference Thursday morning, Gov. JB Pritzker said the relief grants reached more than 5,000 providers in 2020, and 90% of those recipients have kept their facilities open today. “Despite all the pains […] → Read More
Pritzker on Rittenhouse verdict: ‘Shooting unarmed citizens is fundamentally wrong’
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has spoken out about the not-guilty verdict delivered Friday by a jury in the Kyle Rittenhouse case. → Read More
UPDATE: Coroner releases identity of body found in Lake Bloomington Tuesday afternoon
UPDATE (2:29 p.m.) — McLean County Coroner Dr. Kathy Yoder and McLean County Sheriff Jon Sandage released more information on the body that was located in Lake Bloomington in Hudson Tuesday. The body has been identified as 58-year-old David L. Roesch, of Saybrooks Illinois. Roesch was pronounced deceased at 4:48 p.m. Tuesday. According to a […] → Read More
Ameren offering grants for small businesses and non-profits in need of assistance paying electric bills
COLLINSVILLE, Ill. (WMBD) — Ameren Illinois announced that funding is available for small businesses and non-profits that have fallen behind on their electric bills. Under the company’s COVID-19 Economic Hardship Recovery Program, one-time grants of up to $500 will be provided on a first-come, first-served basis until Oct. 31, or until the funds are exhausted. […] → Read More
Illinois woman arrested for first-degree murder of five-month-old
CANTON, Ill. (WMBD) — A Canton woman has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder of a five-month-old infant. Joslynn M. Graham, 23, is now in custody. The investigation is ongoing and no other information is available at this time. There is no word if the child is related to Graham. WMBD will bring you […] → Read More
IDPH announces 26,062 new cases of COVID-19 in last week
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (WMBD) — The Illinois Department of Public Health reported 26,062 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus in Illinois, including 197 additional deaths since reporting last Friday. More than 79% of Illinois adults have received at least one COVID-19 vaccine dose and more than 62% of Illinois adults are fully vaccinated, according to […] → Read More