"We are now seeing the fastest rate of decline in our COVID-19 hospitalization metrics since the pandemic began," Pritzker said. Associated Press writers Claire Savage and Teresa Crawford in Chicago contributed to this report. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and other City Council members. 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.. 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. "If it is not the 28th it won't be long after would be my expectation," she explained. Its been two years since Illinois legalized recreational marijuana, and since then, cannabis-related calls to the Illinois Poison Center have nearly doubled, the Tribune reports, from 487 in 2019 to 855 in 2021. 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. Then, a party of five leaves because all five of em do not have the vaccine. 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. 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. Lightfoot also urged understanding of individual decisions, something that has been in short supply in recent weeks during the raging controversy over masks that has divided the nation. 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 citys COVID-19 spread decreases substantially, possibly by spring, Dr. Allison Arwady, the citys public health commissioner, said at a question-and-answer session last week. 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. That brings the total number of confirmed cases in Illinois up to 3,004,664. Positivity rate: Chicagos positivity rate must be at 4.9 percent or lower. Here's what you should know as the mandates are removed. 1616 E Wooster #15 The mandate requiring proof-of-vaccination will also end Feb. 28. And we must respect it, Lightfoot said. Copyright 2023 WLS-TV. JB Pritzker said 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. 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.. 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. Businesses from salons to fitness centers to restaurants have suffered during the pandemic. The ruling is the latest chapter in McDonalds long legal saga regarding claims of racial discrimination. 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. 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. A "Mask Required" sign at the entrance to a Kroger Co. grocery store in Houston, Texas, on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. He also said he wasnt responsible for the liked tweets, which he called abhorrent, and suggested someone had improperly accessed his account. Chicago business owners frustrated; city's restrictions may not lift with Illinois mask mandate end COVID Illinois: City of Chicago vaccine mandate, face mask requirements may not end. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe and effective, and are an important tool for ending the global pandemic. J.B. Pritzkers school mask requirement. Speaking to supporters Tuesday night, Lightfoot called being Chicagos mayor the honor of a lifetime.. Clickhereto support Block Clubwith atax-deductible donation. Something went wrong. Thats their choice and obviously thats their right, Lightfoot said. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. The omicron variant arrived instead. Two days after a devastating fire destroyed Twisted Hippo Brewery in Albany Park, supporters and fellow craft beer makers have raised nearly $138,000 on GoFundMe to help displaced staff and help cover repair costs. J.B. Pritzker was optimistically predicting an end to the statewide mask mandate by Thanksgiving. Johnson on Tuesday night noted the improbability that he would make the runoff, considering his low name recognition at the start of the race. City of Chicago employees must, as a condition of employment, be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 effective October 15, 2021. But Arwady noted that the full two-week period may not be reached before the lifting begins. 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. Face masks on the Chicago Riverwalk last year. 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.. 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. Eli Lilly cuts insulin prices up to 70% amid pressure to slash costs, Jurors to visit Murdaugh crime scene ahead of closing arguments, $1M winning Powerball ticket sold in Chicago. [Read more] Masks are staying in Chicago Public Schools, but some parents demand to know where is the COVID-19 off-ramp? . Block Club Chicago is a nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, nonpartisan and essential coverage of Chicagos diverse neighborhoods. But if we're talking about a week difference, for example, we might extend it. Under the statewide and newly announced city rules, face coverings will still be required in schools, health care settings and public transportation. Thats down from 2% a week ago. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has four levels of community transmission. 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. The citys positivity rate was 1.5%. She told her fellow mayors around the country not to fear being bold. 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. 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. At Charbella Salon in Lakeview, customers wore masks while getting their hair done, as did their stylist. JB Pritzker . Its had a total of 553,812 confirmed cases. 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. The end of the. There are clear contrasts between Vallas and Johnson. It was at 4.1 percent Monday. It was at 3.3 percent Monday. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune). Heres what we know and what it means for schools, Chicago and the suburbs. 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 If we are not able to move on the 28th, I think it would probably be not very long after that.. And if operators still want to impose mask mandates at their individual restaurants, they can. If the federal measure ends, the legal battle over New York's state mandate will determine if the shots are required of health . Hospitalizations were down 29% to a daily average of 27. 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. Hospital beds: Chicago must have an average of 249 or fewer beds occupied by COVID-19 patients per day. This guy actually has a plan. 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. 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. Chicago lifting mask and vaccine mandates on Feb. 28 but will keep masks in schools for now Rather than risk yet another confrontation with the Chicago Teachers Union, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and CPS CEO Pedro Martinez will follow the agreement they struck with CTU to end a dispute that canceled classes for five days last month. As of Tuesday, Chicagos average daily case rate was 283 down 37% from the 452 cases-a-day just one week ago. "We don't need to wait and miss two major economic opportunities for our city just because we want to be on pace with the state," said 15th Ward Alderman Ray Lopez. This doesnt mean COVID is gone, it simply means transmission levels are lower than they have been during surges. 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. Mask mandates are being lifted across Illinois, including in Chicago . She also noted that the city had navigated unprecedented challenges such as the pandemic and its economic and public safety fallout to protests over policing. Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, holds a face mask while speaking on Feb. 22, 2022. The candidates all talk about what theyd like to do, she said. Gov. The metrics include test positivity, hospital beds occupied by COVID patients, ICU beds occupied by COVID patients and daily COVID cases. As of Monday night, 352 people with COVID-19 were in the ICU and 172 people with COVID-19 were using ventilators in Illinois. Lindsey Hegarty, a 30-year-old paralegal who lives on Chicagos North Side, said she backed Johnson because he seemed like the most progressive candidate on issues like policing, mental health and public transit. 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. But she voted for Vallas on Tuesday, saying she was impressed by his detailed strategy to address public safety. ICU beds: Chicago must have an average of 99 or fewer ICU beds occupied by COVID-19 patients per day. In Chicago, 24 deaths were reported since Monday. As of Monday, Chicagoans will no longer be required to show proof of. newsletter, Fulton Market Meets California Wine Country For Lettuce Entertain Yous Latest, Oakville Grill & Cellar will feature 750 different wines, Boka Goes Family-Friendly Inside Lakeviews Former Speakeasy and Brothel, GGs Chicken Shop and Itoko give the Southport Corridor casual options inside a storied 120-year-old building, This Historic Chicago Sausage Stand Made the Maxwell Street Polish a Local Icon, Jims Original has served the city for more than eight decades, Alineas Top Bartenders Departure and Four More Shuffles, A running log of key moves within Chicagos hospitality industry, These top pizzerias wont show up on national TV stock footage of Chicago, Sign up for the 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. J.B. Pritzkers announcement earlier this month that he will lift his mask requirement for most indoor public places at the end of February should the states most recent and largest COVID-19 surge continue to subside. "Certainly if the difference is a matter of a few days between where the city is and where the state is recommending, I would expect we would go along with that, but we need to see these metrics be in blue or green," Dr. Arwady said. 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. 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. It wouldnt be worth confusing residents to continue the mandates, so long as Chicago has hit at least three of its goals and numbers are declining, she said. Hospitalizations are down 75% from their high. Vallas denied his comments were related to race and says his police union endorsement is from rank-and-file officers. 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. The safety agreement with the teachers union mandates masks in schools until August. As a news piece, this article cites verifiable, third-party sources which have all been thoroughly fact-checked and deemed credible by the Newsroom. Lightfoots announcement was widely expected. 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. "We're still going to do that because we want to protect ourselves and the public," said Vicky Smith, owner of Charbella Salon. The other candidates were businessman Willie Wilson, Chicago City Council members Sophia King and Roderick Sawyer, activist JaMal Green and state Rep. Kambium Kam Buckner. The changes come after weeks of COVID-19 numbers coming down from the Omicron surge. Illinois seven-day case positivity rate was at 2.9 percent. That is their right. 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. 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. 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. But the city could also opt to end its mandates early to line up with the state and avoid confusion for residents, Arwady said. At times, it has led to some mixed messaging and conflict with the state. The risk is down to a point where it is appropriate to lift the mandates, Arwady said. What to Know About the Cook County Commissioner After Advancing to the Runoff Election. In all cases, thieves sought to take cash out of registers or tip jars. The City of Chicago mask mandate will likely end at the same time Pritzker lifts the Illinois mask mandate, health officials said. "It riles me. 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.. Chicago Tribunes Alice Yin, Tracy Swartz and Clare Spaulding contributed. I dont want to put myself at risk. Mayor Lori Lightfoot announces Feb. 22, 2022, that the city will be ending its indoor mask requirement in most locations on Feb. 28. The health care vaccination mandate is scheduled to run until November 2024. 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