The mayor noted that masks would continue to be required on public transit, in health care settings and in other congregate spaces, following federal mandates and CDC guidance. Metra also issued an alert to riders Monday morning. Dr. Arwady said they are using case numbers, test positivity, hospital bed availability and ICU bed availability to make determinations on COVID mitigations, with three of four metrics needing to be in blue or green level for low transmission. That's just that's just how it isAnd we're getting really close and that is thanks to Chicagoans.". Mayor Lori Lightfoot announces Feb. 22, 2022, that the city will be ending its indoor mask requirement in most locations on Feb. 28. 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. Illinois and Chicago have administered at least 20,909,741 vaccine doses of the 23,455,645 provided to them. coronavirus chicago Chicago's mask mandate may not end when statewide restrictions are lifted, Lightfoot says Gov. Some have been forced to close, while others have had to make major adjustments. I dont want to put myself at risk. This Policy applies to all City employees, personnel of contractors, and vendors who have regular direct contact with, or regularly work close to, City employees and volunteers. 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. There have been at least 7,136 deaths from COVID-19 in Chicago. At least 32,072 people have died from COVID-19 in Illinois, and another 3,985 deaths are probably related to the virus, according to the state. Gov. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and other City Council members, Woman, 55, fatally wounded Tuesday night in North Austin neighborhood, New NCAA president says NIL rules could protect college athletes, Glencoe begins cost sharing program to combat lead pipes, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. As with the state, the changes would not apply to public transit, health care facilities or schools, and business owners can still impose stricter requirements if they want to. "Open it up now. 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. 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. "We are now seeing the fastest rate of decline in our COVID-19 hospitalization metrics since the pandemic began," Pritzker said. This guy actually has a plan. JB Pritzker said last week he anticipates the state's indoor mask mandate for venues that are not schools, hospitals and public transit will lift on Feb. 28 as COVID hospitalizations continue to drop. The changes come after weeks of COVID-19 numbers coming down from the Omicron surge. Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, holds a face mask while speaking on Feb. 22, 2022. The Chicago Transit Authority reminded travelers Saturday that masks are still required on public buses and trains, as well as within the station. When the @packers lose to the @49ers tomorrow night, we will be giving away all you can eat fries topped with Wisconsins finest cheddar, to all bar patrons who would like to celebrate. COVID-19 vaccinations are free and do not require insurance. 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. Lightfoot announced the latest move as the national trend turns against masking and other restrictions due to broader social desires to return to normal, though some doctors and activists caution against people dropping their guard. 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 . Associated Press writers Claire Savage and Teresa Crawford in Chicago contributed to this report. Plus, the Wieners Circle celebrates the Packers loss, and Peanut Park is a taste of Chicago history. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and other City Council members. 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. Illinois will end its indoor mask mandate for most public places on Feb. 28. "Their regulations are making it harder . Let's not play games with the numbers, and let's let the economy roll," said Leonard DeFranco, co-owner of Hawkeye's Bar And Grill. Indicates that a Newsmaker/Newsmakers was/were physically present to report the article from some/all of the location(s) it concerns. Vallas, a former schools CEO backed by the police union, and Johnson, a Cook County commissioner endorsed by the Chicago Teachers Union, advanced to the April 4 runoff after none of the nine candidates was able to secure over 50% of the vote to win outright. Chicago officials announced they'll also lift the city's . 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. Jason Statham, Hugh Grant and Aubrey Plaza star in an inconsequential serving of empty cinematic calories. Previously, the United Center had required proof of vaccination (and did not accept a negative test) for entry, and required all event-goers to wear masks. By February 28, assuming declines continue in the 7-day rolling average, the city will have been in the lower risk range for two weeks and able to lift these restrictions. When defining vaccination, the city and county are following the lead of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: two weeks past a second shot of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or two. If we are not able to move on the 28th, I think it would probably be not very long after that.. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune). The city had said lifting the mandate will require three out of four COVID-19 metrics to fall to the lowest or second-lowest category of risk and remain there for two consecutive weeks. Columbia University will end its COVID-19 vaccine requirement as the national public health emergency expires this spring. 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. A few months ago they said they didnt know who I was. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the city will end its mask mandate at the end of February, in line with the statewide date. 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. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune). After Pritzker announced the state's mask mandate would end Monday, Lightfoot said Chicago would only follow suit two weeks after three of the four metrics health officials use to assess the risk of COVID-19 transmission hit a "lower rate." Two weeks is a full incubation period for COVID-19, according to federal health officials. Block Club Chicagos coronavirus coverage is free for all readers. The safety agreement with the teachers union mandates masks in schools until August. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 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. It's unclear when face mask and COVID vaccine requirements will be lifted in the city. DeFranco is among many restaurant owners feeling left in the dark. By submitting your email, you agree to our, The freshest news from the local food world, Chicagos Mask and Vaccination Mandates for Bars and Restaurants Will End February 28, Sign up for the CHICAGO (WLS) -- Frustration is growing over the differing timelines for lifting COVID-19 mandates in Chicago and the state. At times, it has led to some mixed messaging and conflict with the state. 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. In Illinois, about 8 million people or 63.18 percent of the states 12.7 million people are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to state data. But if we're talking about a week difference, for example, we might extend it. As of Monday, Chicagoans will no longer be required to show proof of. Arwady: Our cases remain in high transmission, but we're getting very close to substantial territory. DeFranco is not the only one frustrated; another restaurant owner said if the city mandates go past Feb. 28, she's not going to enforce them. Mask mandates already have been removed in more than 150 school districts around the state after a judge blocked Gov. More information will be announced next week, Arwady said. But its also a sign of the turmoil in U.S. cities following the COVID-19 pandemic, with its economic fallout and spikes in violent crime in many places. In a nod to his campaign promise to combat crime, he said that, if elected, he would work to address public safety issues. Regardless of tonights outcome, we fought the right fights and we put this city on a better path, Lightfoot said. We will make Chicago the safest city in America, Vallas said. The move comes amid improving COVID-19 metrics. "At this point in time, the status of the COVID-19 pandemic . Were going back to a sense of normalcy. And we must respect it, Lightfoot said. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. "If we are not able to move on the 28th, I think it would probably be not very long after that. Also, some venues may continue to impose their own mitigation efforts to keep their clients and customers safe. We would not have been in a position even a few weeks ago to be making this kind of announcement today.. sent-trib.com "As the . Police have not yet made any arrests. Brian Jupiter, the chef and owner of Ina Mae Tavern & Packaged Goods in Wicker Park and the Frontier in Pulaski Park, won this weeks episode of Food Network cooking show Chopped, a special Black History Month celebration, the Tribune reports. But if the city gets to a position where itd be on pace to lift its mandates just a few days after the state ends its mask mandate, Chicago will cut short the two-week wait and end its own mask mandate and vaccine card requirement early, Arwady said. "Really? Vaccines protect you and the people around you, reducing the spread of COVID-19. As Illinois aims to lift its mask mandate by Feb. 28, Lori Lightfoot said the city is not there yet in regard to eliminating mask and vaccine card requirements, This Map Shows Exactly How the City of Chicago Voted for Mayor in the 2023 Election, Report: Jalen Carter Arrest Warrant Issued for Racing Car, Election Results: See How All 50 Wards Voted in Chicago's Aldermanic Elections, Who Did Your Ward Vote For? We've got to hit the data points," Arwady said. Its had a total of 553,812 confirmed cases. OAN Sophia Flores. They cited a 1.5 point drop in the past week in Chicago's positivity rate. Lightfoot blasted him for welcoming support from the police unions controversial leader, who defended the Jan. 6 insurrectionists at the Capitol and equated Lightfoots vaccine mandate for city workers to the Holocaust. READ MORE: Pritzker to lift Illinois mask mandate for some. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its masking guidance Fridayto show 70% of the nation's counties at low or medium risk for COVID. Please enter a valid email and try again. Oops. I still encourage people to take precautions and definitely get vaccinated to protect yourself and your loved ones.. Noting that she caught a mild case of COVID-19, Lightfoot said she intends to continue wearing a mask, particularly in restaurants where diners will soon have no idea whether other customers are vaccinated. The home popcorn will be available in select Walmart stores on March 11, the day before the 95th Academy Awards. Well, if you didnt know, now you know, Johnson said. Since Monday, 53 Illinoisans were reported dead from COVID-19. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and are an important tool for ending the global pandemic. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune). Earlier in the month, it remained unclear whether Chicagowhich has a . Gov. school that temporarily suspended the mask rules, Ald. Masks will still be required on public transportation, in healthcare settings, and in certain school districts, including the Chicago Public Schools. 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. In September, for instance, she dismissed a proposal for such a mandate from Ald. Lightfoot resisted proof-of-vaccine mandates until Jan. 3, long after other cities such as New York had implemented similar policies. The city's end to its mandates will line up with the state, which plans to lift its own mask mandate Monday. And if operators still want to impose mask mandates at their individual restaurants, they can. As of Monday night, 352 people with COVID-19 were in the ICU and 172 people with COVID-19 were using ventilators in Illinois. Learn more atLearn more at Chicago.gov/COVIDVax. 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. The National Weather Service is tracking a storm that could bring a decent accumulation of snow. In those areas, masks are no longer necessary, according to the agency. It does not apply to visitors. The fires origins remain in question Fire Department investigators say it likely began in a gangway between Twisted Hippo and the apartments and officials are probing the 72 pending court cases associated with landlord Gary Carlson. The moves bring Chicago in line with Gov. I will be honest with you: We need to hit those metrics to feel confident, Arwady said. Even by the mayors own standards for lifting mitigations, Chicago now passes the test with flying colors. See How All 50 Wards Voted in the 2023 Chicago Mayoral Election, All Eyes On a Strong' System That Could Hit Chicago Area Friday, But Much Uncertainty Remains, Who is Brandon Johnson? The vaccination requirement that went into effect at Chicago bars and restaurants on January 3 and has caused controversy in some communities since then will be lifted as soon as the city's. 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. Plaza star in an inconsequential serving of empty cinematic calories the past week in Chicago required public... 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