Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D., announced today that the City will remove the mask and vaccine requirements for certain public spaces on February 28 to align with the State of Illinois previously announced plans to lift the statewide indoor mask mandate on that day. It does not apply to visitors. The pandemic also may shape elections for mayor in other cities this year, such as Philadelphia and Houston, where incumbents cannot run again due to term limits. The clerk's office keeps city records and makes them publicly accessible, and it keeps Chicagoans informed about City Council happenings. Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, holds a face mask while speaking on Feb. 22, 2022. Heres what we know and what it means for schools, Chicago and the suburbs. All rights reserved. The mandate requiring proof-of-vaccination will also end Feb. 28. The key metrics of the City has been used to track COVID-19 cases and hospital capacity since early in the pandemic including COVID-19 cases diagnosed per day, test positivity, and hospital and ICU beds occupied by COVID-19 patients. Here are key takeaways from the night. school that temporarily suspended the mask rules, Ald. The news was met with mixed reactions. The city only reached that point on Monday, Block Club reports, but Arwady said that transmission rates have been dropping steadily and precipitously in the past few weeks. Its had a total of 553,812 confirmed cases. Here are the states goals for ending the mandate and where Chicago stands with each: Cases: Chicago must report an average of 199 cases or fewer per day. An official website of the City of Chicago. Illinois and Chicago have administered at least 20,909,741 vaccine doses of the 23,455,645 provided to them. He knows how hes going to do it.. But she also has made a point of emphasizing her desire to keep the city as open as possible. Many residents may continue to wear masks in public spaces for a variety of reasons even if they are vaccinated or as more mandates and advisories fade. He also said he wasnt responsible for the liked tweets, which he called abhorrent, and suggested someone had improperly accessed his account. Vallas, a former schools CEO backed by the police union, and Johnson, a Cook . Central U.S. location and a deep labor pool help Chicago snare top honor from Site Selection magazine for 10th year in a row. SAG-AFTRA president and actress, Fran Drescher, called on Hollywood to put an end to its COVID-19 vaccination mandate. SAG-AFTRA president Fran Drescher, speaking during Sunday's SAG Awards, called on Hollywood to flex its economic muscles to democratize states where civil and human rights are under attack. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago health officials said they anticipate that the city's proof of vaccine requirement and indoor mask mandate will lift around the same time as the state's. Gov. There are clear contrasts between Vallas and Johnson. Vallas, who has led school systems in Chicago, New Orleans and Philadelphia, lost a 2019 bid for mayor. If the federal measure ends, the legal battle over New York's state mandate will determine if the shots are required of health . Chicago's top doctor 'hopeful' COVID-19 vaccine mandate for restaurants and public venues will end by spring By Alice Yin and Dan Petrella Chicago Tribune Jan 20, 2022 at 2:14 pm Expand. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. It frustrates me. Chicago is currently at high, the top of the scale. Masks will still be required on public transportation, in healthcare settings, and in certain school districts, including the Chicago Public Schools. Race also was a factor as candidates courted votes in the highly segregated city, which is closely divided in population among Black, Hispanic and white residents. The trattoria has everything to do with Chicago history, Chu writes, weaving the co-owners legacies into vivid descriptions of impeccable linguine vongole, so loaded with briny sweet clams, its as if [co-owner Tony Fiasche] turned up the volume on the family stereo just a touch. Other praiseworthy submissions included a 24-ounce grilled bistecca that rivals not only the citys best steakhouses, but would turn the head of famous Italian butcher Dario Cecchini, and the fagioli, gigante white beans in garlic-tomato pork broth that Chu declares a main character merely masquerading as a side dish.. Could happen as soon as today.Test positivity is in lower transmission.Hospital beds in yellow (substantial), heading toward blue (lower). pic.twitter.com/kGG0dgPvn1, Chicago has met the goal for its positivity rate, and it could meet the goal for ICU beds within a day or two, Arwady said. Asked if she was treated unfairly because of her race and gender, Lightfoot said: Im a black woman in America. More than half of CPS students 12 and older are fully vaccinated, but for students ages 5 to 11, less than one-third have received at least one vaccine dose. JB Pritzker set for state. That would mean Chicago could shortly have three out of four goals ticked off and would just need to wait two weeks to lift its mandates, under its own rules. But there are less than two weeks to go before Feb. 28 and Chicagos only hit one of its goals so far. Lightfoots loss is unusual for mayors in large cities, who have tended to win reelection with relative ease. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has four levels of community transmission. Sources Cited. Well, if you didnt know, now you know, Johnson said. Mask mandates already have been removed in more than 150 school districts around the state after a judge blocked Gov. City officials later said, however, that they would consider going forward with dropping the mandate even if they hadnt hit those totals to avoid confusion for residents. Thanks for subscribing to Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. JB Pritzker said Wednesday. The health commissioner expects the city to hit its goal for non-ICU hospital beds just a little behind that.. But the city could also opt to end its mandates early to line up with the state and avoid confusion for residents, Arwady said. He thanked the unions that supported him and gave a special shout-out to his wife, telling the crowd, Chicago, a Black woman will still be in charge.. "Once that worry is gone I think we'll see the restaurant industry get back to as normal as we're gonna be," he said. Lightfoot, the first Black woman and first openly gay person to lead the city, won her first term in 2019 after promising to end decades of corruption and backroom dealing at City Hall. Golom on Valentines Day announced her plans to retire and close the restaurant on Sunday, February 27, but has since received thousands of phone calls and Facebook comments from patrons hoping to visit one last time. "February 28 is obviously the date that the state set; it's not the date that the city set.". " The City of Chicago will be holding informational webinars to provide an overview of the vaccine requirement on Wednesday, December 22 at 11:00 a.m., Wednesday, December 29 at 11:00 a.m., and Tuesday, January 4 at 2:00 p.m. To register for a webinar, please visit Chicago.gov/businesseducation. Chicago officials announced they'll also lift the city's . If we are not able to move on the 28th, I think it would probably be not very long after that.. Suburban Cook County. Providing guidance, services, and strategies that make Chicago a healthier and safer city. There have been at least 7,136 deaths from COVID-19 in Chicago. ", "I don't want to put an artificial date on when this is going to happen when we still see some danger signs in the data," Lightfoot said. By submitting your email, you agree to our, The freshest news from the local food world, Chicago Restaurant Vaccine Mandate Could Be Lifted By Spring Whatever That Means, Sign up for the DeFranco is among many restaurant owners feeling left in the dark. Businesses from salons to fitness centers to restaurants have suffered during the pandemic. City data shows more than 1.8 million Chicagoans or 68.2 percent of all residents are fully vaccinated, and 76.1 percent of all Chicagoans have gotten at least one shot. City officials say that once three of the preceding four metrics hit the lower transmission level, that will start a two-week clock, known as an incubation cycle.. The Warsaw Inn, the 50-year-old Polish culinary landmark, may live on after outpouring of support led owner Angie Golom to reconsider closing the restaurant at 2180 Glenwood-Dyer Road in suburban Lynwood, according to the Tribune. As of yesterday, the current daily average number of cases in Chicago was 278, solidly in the substantial transmission category, but a significant drop from 871, where it was at the beginning of the month. Rudina Alihajdaraj, a hostess with Pequods Pizza, inspects a COVID-19 vaccination card on Monday, Jan. 3, 2022, the first day that proof of vaccination mandate is required to eat inside at Chicago restaurants. For example, after 5 days of isolation or quarantine, masks will continue to be required in days 6-10 in public spaces, as they are now. Shortly after, Chicago health officials released their own statement saying if the city continues to see declines in these leading COVID metrics, we too should be in a position to lift restrictions at that time. As cases rose in October 2020, for instance, she regularly warned about tighter restrictions being forthcoming then criticized Pritzker for again shutting down indoor dining. Gov. The fire began around 3:30 a.m. Monday in an apartment neighboring the brewery at 2925 W. Montrose Avenue, according to multiple news reports, before rapidly spreading to Twisted Hippo and a nearby gym, both of which were decimated. Something went wrong. Lightfoot was asked Tuesday whether the declaration of independence from masks and proof-of-vaccine mandates marks an end to a pandemic that has dragged on for two years. Throughout the pandemic, Lightfoot has walked a fine line between tough measures and keeping the city open. Since Monday, 103,189 tests were reported statewide. We will have a safe Chicago. At the United Center, all attendees includingChicago BullsandBlackhawksfans will be required to presentproof of vaccination or a negative COVID test to gain access to the venue. ### Speaking on Feb. 14, Chicago MayorLori Lightfoot said the city is not there yet in regard to eliminating mask and vaccine card requirements, but the city's top doctor has since provided more insight on when changes may occur. Something went wrong. It's unclear when face mask and COVID vaccine requirements will be lifted in the city. Sam Toia, president and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association, called Tuesdays announcement an encouraging sign of better times ahead for Chicagos restaurant community. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago health officials said they anticipate that the city's proof of vaccine requirement and indoor mask mandate will lift around the same time as the state's. As Illinois aims to lift its mask mandate by Feb. 28, Chicago city officials assert the city's proof-of-vaccination and mask requirements could end soon, but have stopped short of providing. "We are now seeing the fastest rate of decline in our COVID-19 hospitalization metrics since the pandemic began," Pritzker said. Learn more atLearn more at Chicago.gov/COVIDVax. Lightfoot in August had announced a vaccine . Columbia University Provost Mary Boyce announced last week that the COVID-19 vaccine mandate "will no longer be in effect" starting on May 11, in a memo to students, faculty and staff. The former teacher and union organizer has argued that the answer to addressing crime is not more money for police but more investment in mental health care, education, jobs and affordable housing, and he was accused by rivals such as Lightfoot of wanting to defund the police. Come Monday, the indoor mask mandate will be lifted statewide, as well as in Chicago, where the city's proof-of-vaccination requirement will also end. What to Know About the Cook County Commissioner After Advancing to the Runoff Election. I dont want to put myself at risk. While Chicago lifted its mask mandate Monday, is the proof of COVID-19 vaccination requirement removed now, as well? I want to thank Chicagoans and in particular, our business community for adhering to these measures and helping us pass through this difficult time while keeping restaurants and other businesses open.. Thats what the general public wants to see. That's just that's just how it isAnd we're getting really close and that is thanks to Chicagoans.". At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said the city is averaging 431 cases per-day, above the 400 cases-per day threshold signaling high transmission. Testing in Chicago is up 17 percent from a week ago. Its a fact that Wieners Circle, the notorious late-night hot dog stand in Lincoln Park, counted on when it tweeted Friday that it would give away all-you-can-eat cheddar fries if the Packers lost to the San Francisco 49ers in the NFC Divisional series. Everyone 5 and older is eligible to get vaccinated in Chicago. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune). "Open it up now. Illinois will end its indoor mask mandate for most public places on Feb. 28. JB Pritzker . The Chicago Board of Education is poised to vote on a resolution at Wednesdays monthly board meeting that would ratify district COVID-19 safety measures including universal masking of students and staff; testing for unvaccinated employees; and directing those who test positive or have been exposed to the virus to temporarily stay home. What to Know About the Cook County Commissioner After Advancing to the Runoff Election. Chicago 's mask and vaccination requirements will end on Monday, February 28, the same day the state mask mandate is lifted, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced yesterday. Were gonna see where we are next week and make a decision sort of either way there, Arwady said. CHICAGO Chicago is not on track to end its mask mandate Feb. 28, when the statewide mandate is set to end but the city might lift the requirement then, anyway. Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Feb. 22, 2022, as she announces the city will be ending its indoor mask requirement in most locations on Feb. 28. Chicago workers can pay for tests instead of getting COVID-19 vaccine until the end of the year By Claudia Morell. Police have not yet made any arrests. Arwady said that the vaccine mandate wont be removed until the city gets down to medium-low, the Tribune reports. The word spring, of course, is a nebulous concept in Chicago, as cold temperatures and even snow have been known to linger as late as April. "We're still going to do that because we want to protect ourselves and the public," said Vicky Smith, owner of Charbella Salon. In those areas, masks are no longer necessary, according to the agency. She also said she will continue to wear a mask in public. This includes directly interviewing sources and research / analysis of primary source documents. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. In making the announcement Tuesday, Lightfoot thanked residents who have complied with the rules and acknowledged the hardships that have resulted from the pandemic and resulting restrictions, citing the restaurant industry in particular. Currently the test positivity is in the lower transmission range, with ICU availability and hospital availability possibly moving into the lower transmission category soon, Dr. Arwady said. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and are an important tool for ending the global pandemic. Of course.. Burglars this month hit four Asian restaurants Imm Rice and Beyond, Nhu Lan Bakery & Sandwiches, China Cafe, and Hunan Egg Roll King and two other businesses in a sweep of break-ins this month in Uptown, according to Block Club. newsletter, The Return of Haymarkets Sausage Fest and 10 More Chicago Pop-Ups to Know, Logan Square Pasta Haven Daisies to Close This Weekend Ahead of Its Move, Ramen-san Brings Late-Night Fried Rice to Lincoln Park and Three More Openings, The Owners of Kalish Will Unveil a New Vegan Restaurant Next Week in Uptown, Chez Moi Bids Adieu After 11 Years and Six More Restaurant Closings. Earlier in the month, it remained unclear whether Chicagowhich has a . COVID-19 lab-confirmed cases (now 283 cases per day in Chicago) remain just above the historic lower risk range but this is offset by the much higher testing and very low-test positivity. Vallas was the only white candidate in the field. Block Club Chicagos coronavirus coverage is free for all readers. She joined LX News to talk about mask restrictions and what loosening them could mean for the nation. The city's end to its mandates will line up with the state, which plans to lift its own mask mandate Monday. "It's been a tough environment, we've all had to learn on our feet," said Phillip Walters, B. Hospitality Co. "As we lift the mask mandates, we hope people will feel more safe and start to come out again," said Steven Hartenstein, Stefani Restaurant Group. Its important for us to recognize this moment for what it is: a huge step forward in our effort to overcome COVID-19, Lightfoot said. Similarly, hospitalization rates are a fraction of what they were at the height of the omicron surge, when more people were admitted to hospitals than at any time during pandemic most unvaccinated, she said. But some contend it's time to stop now, citing fewer severe COVID-19 cases, health care staffing shortages and the impending May 11 expiration of a national public health emergency that has been in place since January 2020. Email: Chicago Mayor Lightfoot ousted; Vallas, Johnson in runoff, Road reconstruction closes part of Ohio 25, Kobe Bryant family settles photo lawsuit for $28.5 million, Greek transport minister resigns over train crash; 36 dead, TikTok sets new default time limits for minors. "As the . Positivity rate: Chicagos positivity rate must be at 4.9 percent or lower. We look forward to the day when we can be mask-optional at CPS, but we still need to get more students vaccinated across our District, and we still need to work with our public health and labor partners on the best way to preserve a safe in-person learning environment for all., The CTU said in a statement it was glad that CPS will continueto honor the safety agreement that our members sacrificed four days of pay [for] last month despite a right-wing legal attack to remove public health protections.. Chicagos health department then announced it would also aim to end the citys mask and vaccine card mandates by the end of the month, though Chicago would have to hit three out of four milestones for at least two weeks for that to happen. Vallas opponents have criticized him as too conservative to lead the Democratic stronghold. This doesnt mean COVID is gone, it simply means transmission levels are lower than they have been during surges. JB Pritzker announced last week Illinois statewide mask mandate is set to end Feb. 28, so long as the states COVID-19 metrics continue to fall. Lightfoot resisted proof-of-vaccine mandates until Jan. 3, long after other cities such as New York had implemented similar policies. City to Remove Mask and Vaccine Requirements for Certain Public Settings on February 28 in Response to Continued Improvement in COVID-19 Metrics February 22, 2022 Rapid decrease in key metrics allow for easing of mitigation measures Mayor's Press Office press@cityofchicago.org J.B. Pritzkers school mask requirement. 6:45 PM PT - Tuesday, February 28, 2023. As a news piece, this article cites verifiable, third-party sources which have all been thoroughly fact-checked and deemed credible by the Newsroom. CHICAGO Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and Public Health Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D., announced today that the City will remove the mask and vaccine requirements for certain public spaces on February 28 to align with the State of Illinois previously announced plans to lift the statewide indoor mask mandate on that day. JB Pritzker's Illinois mask mandate to end Feb. 28 By Rob Elgas and. All Rights Reserved. We're talking about a matter of a few days is going to make a difference?". Chicago was supposed to hit three out of four COVID-19 milestones for two weeks before it'd drop the city's mandates. Please enter a valid email and try again. But in a 2020 radio interview, Johnson said defunding is not just a slogan but an actual real political goal, and he sponsored a nonbinding resolution on the county board to redirect money from policing and jails to social services. Arwady does expect a slight increase in cases after the mandates lift, but she thinks the city should be able to handle it. We have made great progress in recent weeks against this virus, and we do not want to jeopardize that progress by moving too quickly, CPS said in a release. Heres what we know and what it means for schools, Chicago and the suburbs. Its been a tough January and February for restaurant operators, he said. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast). The city is seeing an average of more than eight people dying per day, down 40 percent from a week ago. Email Newsroom@BlockClubChi.org. sent-trib.com We have made great progress in recent weeks against this virus, and we do not want to jeopardize that progress by moving too quickly, the district said in a statement released later Tuesday. Illinois seven-day test positivity rate, which measures the percentage of tests that were positive, was at 3.8 percent. Bowling Green, OH 43402 Scott Weiner, partner 19 Chicago restaurants including West Town Bakery, said removing the mask mandate could be a major step toward normalcy. A recent Chicago Tribune story also found Vallas Twitter account had liked racist tweets and tweets that mocked Lightfoots appearance and referred to her as masculine. I want people to understand were not just choosing a date; were going based on when were there.. coronavirus chicago Chicago's mask mandate may not end when statewide restrictions are lifted, Lightfoot says Gov. SAG-AFTRA president and The Nanny actress Fran Drescher urged Hollywood to end its vaccine mandates in her opening remarks at the 2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony on Sunday (Feb. 26 . The candidates all talk about what theyd like to do, she said. Additionally, proof of vaccination is requiredat indoor restaurants, entertainment venues, gyms and other indoor facilities throughout the city. When you get a party of five or six that comes in, three or four might have the vaccine and a couple dont. Lightfoot, who tested positive for COVID last month, says she will continue to wear a mask. Allens company sued McDonalds in May 2021 , alleging that the chain almost exclusively spends ad dollars with white-owned television stations, thus discriminating against Black-owned networks like his own. The state reported 2,893 cases since Monday. And many business owners are getting frustrated with the city, especially those in the restaurant industry, which has been hit hard by the pandemic. Particularly in a restaurant setting, where I have no idea now whether the people sitting around me are vaccinated, Ill be wearing a mask, Lightfoot said. Mayor Lori Lightfoot puts on a face mask while listening as Dr. Allison Arwady speaks to reporters, during a press conference announcing the citys plans to lift its mask and proof-of-vaccine mandates at City Hall, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. But opponents blamed Lightfoot for an increase in crime that occured in cities across the U.S. during the pandemic and criticized her as being a divisive, overly contentious leader. It was at 4.1 percent Monday. Public safety has been an issue in other recent elections, including the recall of a San Francisco district attorney who was criticized for progressive policies. The seven-day rolling averages for each category need to be at a "lower transmission" level, which is set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Chicagoans will no longer be required to wear masks or show proof of vaccination in most indoor spaces, though individual bars and restaurants could still impose their own requirements, just as they did before the citywide vax mandate began on January 3.

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