Illinois quick hits: Health officials report first human case of West Nile; Police arrest four girls for CTA attack

Health officials report first human case of West Nile Virus

The Illinois Department of Public Health has announced the first human case of 2024 in Illinois of West Nile virus. The individual is in their 60s and lives in suburban Cook County. The onset of virus symptoms was in mid-June. IDPH has reported 33 Illinois counties this year with positive results. There were 119 human cases of the mosquito-borne illness reported in Illinois last year, up from 34 human cases in 2022. There were six human deaths attributed to West Nile virus in the state in 2023.

Police arrest four girls for CTA attack

An 11-year-old girl and three teens are facing felony charges after Chicago police said they viciously beat and robbed an elderly man on a CTA train. On July 8, a 63-year-old man was attacked and robbed on a train in downtown Chicago. On Tuesday, police arrested four underage people in connection with the crime. Each juvenile is facing a felony count for robbery to a victim over 60 and aggravated battery charges.

Hinsdale looks to ban short-term rentals

One Illinois community is considering eliminating short-term rentals. A proposed ordinance in Hinsdale aims to limit housing rentals to a minimum of 90 days in response to several complaints from residents regarding homes being used for short-term and nightly rentals through platforms like Airbnb and VRBO. Residents advocating for longer rental terms cite concerns about safety, neighborhood disruptions and parties held by overnight guests.