Illinois quick hits: Gas prices fall in Illinois

Rockford woman faces charges after attacking principalA Rockford woman is facing multiple charges after police said she brought cocaine into an elementary school and attacked the school’s principal.According to a police report, Shakeda Barfield was at the school for a meeting with the principal. During the meeting, Barfield allegedly dropped baggies of suspected cocaine. After the principal mentioned calling the police, Barfield is accused of punching the principal in the face, biting him, and using his tie to strangle him. Gas prices fall in IllinoisGasoline prices continue to fall in Illinois. The average price of a gallon of gas in the state is $3.43. That is 38 cents cheaper than a month ago, and 52 cents a gallon lower than a year ago.According to AAA Illinois, the cheapest gas is in Effingham County at $2.89, while the most expensive is Cook County at $3.65. The national average is $3.20 a gallon.IDPH promotes respiratory virus preventionThe Illinois Department of Public Health is urging the public to get educated about how to protect themselves from respiratory illnesses by listening to a new edition of the Department’s “This is Public Health podcast.The discussion features the state’s chief medical officer and the state epidemiologist discussing the outlook for the coming respiratory virus season, the efficacy of vaccines, and prevention measures. Illinois’ overall respiratory illness level is listed by the CDC as minimal.