25,000 Dead In Illinois: Remembering Those We Lost To Coronavirus

ACROSS ILLINOIS — The coronavirus continues to claim lives across the state, and Illinois recently surpassed another grim milestone. As of last week, COVID-19 had killed more than 25,000 residents across the state.

As of Friday, 25,244 had died because of the virus. The number does not do justice to the actual loss experienced in the 18 months we've been living with COVID-19.

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Every death is, of course, much more than a statistic. A child lost his mother; a mother lost her child and maybe her own mother, too. A community lost a teacher, a mentor, a student, a coach. The front line lost a nurse, a doctor, an EMT.

Here at Patch, we know your friends, families and loved ones are more than number. Here are a few of the stories you've shared with us so far:

• Love Story Over 56 Years In The Making Ends In Coronavirus Death
• 'Before I Go': Son Shares Last Words Of Mom Lost To Coronavirus
• Family Of Young Coronavirus Victim Pleads: Take It Seriously
• Hecky Powell, Restaurateur And Civic Leader, Dies Of Coronavirus

Do you have a person you'd like to see memorialized? Using the form below, we invite you to tell us about the loved ones you've lost — who they were, what they enjoyed and what difference they made in your life. You can also submit a photo.

Your stories could be shared on Patch.com. You can sign up for your Patch.com newsletter here to get the latest updates and articles.