The Sangamon County Department of Public Health reported four COVID-19 related deaths Wednesday, putting the total at 20 for January. Later Wednesday, Gov. JB Pritzker he was "cautiously optimistic" that the most recent COVID surge has peaked.

The University of Illinois Springfield Alliance for Experiential Problem-Based Learning, the Illinois State Board of Education (ISBE) and Loyola University Chicago co-hosted a virtual discussion with K-12 student leaders, legislators and stakeholders titled “Equity in Action” on Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022. The discussion focused on ways to improve learning conditions for students disproportionally affected by exclusionary discipline practices.