Chicago warns against Wisconsin travel, cites COVID-19 spike

CHICAGO (AP) - Chicago officials cautioned city residents Tuesday about travel to Wisconsin, citing a recent COVID-19 spike in Illinois' neighbor to the north.

The Chicago Department of Public Health stopped short of adding Wisconsin to a travel advisory list. There are 16 states on the list, including Utah, which was announced Tuesday. City officials said Sith some exceptions, Chicago residents who travel to the states must quarantine for two weeks upon return. Visitors from those states are expected to quarantine while in Chicago.

Wisconsin was previously on Chicago's list in July and removed the following month when cases dropped. On Sunday, Wisconsin reported its highest one-day case count with 1,582 new confirmed COVID-19 cases and a 21% positive test rate. The overall seven-day average for positive tests that week was 14%

Meanwhile, Illinois reported 1,466 new confirmed cases of COVID-19 Tuesday and 20 additional deaths. Illinois' seven-day average of positive tests is 3.6%. Overall, Illinois has reported 264,210 cases and 8,332 deaths..

Also Tuesday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced $220 million in grants for small businesses hit hard by the pandemic. Another $25 million will be available for businesses damaged during recent civil unrest. Applications will be available later this week.