Number of virus deaths climbs to nearly 2,000 in Illinois

The death toll of the coronavirus crisis inched closer to the 2,000 mark in Illinois, as state officials announced Sunday that the virus had taken 59 more lives.

In a news release, the Illinois Department of Public Health said that the virus has killed 1,933 people in the state, meaning that the grim milestone of 2,000 deaths will almost certainly be reached in the next few days. Also, the agency announced that another 2,126 confirmed COVID-19 cases in Illinois, meaning that this the statewide total stands at 43,903 - with health officials in 96 of the state's 102 counties reporting cases.

As protests of stay-at-home orders around the country, one of which was held this weekend in Springfield, Gov. J.B. Pritzker reminded people who may choose to ignore social distancing requirements that they are putting their friends and family at risk of infection and themselves in danger of legal trouble.

'œThe police have the ability to ultimately enforce that with people, 'ť Pritzker said Sunday. "Not just with the ability to remind them, but if they refuse and repeatedly refuse there is the ability for the police officers to charge them with reckless conduct and take them into custody.'ť