Also happening today, a top Illinois lawmaker says the General Assembly could help Governor Pritzker get past some of the legal challenges he is facing over the stay-at-home order; on the heels of a court challenge to Illinois' stay-at-home order, the Governor is amending it as it deals with religious activities; and much more.

Also happening today, Governor Pritzker has tweaked his extended stay-at-home order to allow the free exercise of religion, but with restrictions; only hours after crews installed decorative safety masks on the iconic lions outside the Art Institute of Chicago on Michigan Avenue, one of the masks was stolen; members of the Chicago Police Department will take part in the city's Operation Cleaning effort in the West Side's Austin neighborhood today; and much more.

Also happening today, Mayor Lori Lightfoot won’t back of off city’s stay-at-home order before easing restrictions; the economics chair at Northern Illinois University explains why he’s optimistic about the economy and the job market; pet groomers are allowed to open Friday as part of the state’s modified stay-at-home order; and much more.

Also happening today, Indiana's stay-at-home order expires Friday and the Governor plans to announce Friday afternoon if he is going to extend it or let it expire; the DuPage Mayors and Managers Conference is asking Governor J-B Pritzker to relax the current stay-at-home order that expires on May 30; four people were hurt when a CTA bus crashed into the BMO Harris Bank building in the Loop this morning; and much more.

Also happening today, a South Side family is dealing with the loss of its patriarch Thursday, on a day that should have been one of celebration; the COVID-19 pandemic is putting a freeze on awarding marijuana licenses in Illinois; the Naperville Fire Department has produced an exercise video geared to families sheltering in place; and much more.

Also happening today: 92 more people have died from coronavirus; landlords are acting on the rent strike due to the virus; meat markets have been extremely busy since the coronavirus pandemic took hold, and one Chicago butcher expects that higher prices and fewer choices will affect consumers; these stories and more.

Also happening today, an Indiana State Trooper is hospitalized after an alleged drunk driver plowed into his car overnight in Gary; some property owners in DuPage County will get a tax break; and much more.

Also happening today, a donation is going to lead to more testing for the coronavirus on the South Side; an Indiana State Trooper is hospitalized in fair condition after his squad car was rear-ended while investigating an accident on westbound I-80/94 earlier this morning; Chicago's new police superintendent is cracking down on overtime; and much more.

In other top stories this evening: Chicago offers micro business recovery grants; Indiana COVID-19 death toll grows to more than 900; social distancing in place at community garden; and more.

Also happening today, Chicago tortilla maker, El Milagro has shut down business because of the coronavirus; the Chicago Police Department said 21 more employees have tested positive for COVID-19; for some high school seniors involved in music in the western suburbs the show must go on and they start later this week; and much more.