Daily cases continue to drop, but September was the deadliest month for COVID-19 in Illinois since February, state data shows

Emergency room personnel at Franklin Hospital in Benton have been dealing with a significant increase in demand for beds. Without an ICU, the small downstate hospital is forced to send patients to other hospitals or sometimes treat COVID patients in their emergency department. Photographed Wednesday, September 15, 2021. (E. Jason Wambsgans / Chicago Tribune)