Mikerphone also led a fundraising campaign, ultimately raising more than $145,000. 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. This is a meaningful step that will increase consumer confidence and keep our restaurants on a steady path to recovery.. 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. Oct. 8, 2021, 4:30 p.m. CT . Undaunted, the chain plans to refile this month. Despite the CDC recommendations, local governments, including those in areas of low risk, like most of northern Illinois, have the ability to set their own rules. 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. 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. Please enter a valid email and try again. Block Club Chicago has more on San Franciscos victory, the scene at Wieners Circle, and a pressing staff update: legendary late-night insult artist Roberta Poochie Jackson is making videos for fans on Cameo for $50 apiece. 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 . 1616 E Wooster #15 If we are not able to move on the 28th, I think it would probably be not very long after that.. Listen to Its All Good: A Block Club Chicago Podcast here: Some races are still too close to call, while others saw incumbents get forced into runoffs. The mask mandate and proof-of-vaccine requirement will also end on Monday in suburban Cook County, officials said. 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. Chicago will lift its mask and proof-of-vaccine mandates next week, but Chicago Public School students, teachers and employees must keep their masks on at least for the time being. The treasurer's office oversees the city's $9 billion investment portfolio, and the treasurer records the city's finances and shares reports on them with City Council. Everyone 5 and older is eligible to get vaccinated in Chicago. During a Facebook live question-and-answer session, Arwady said she is "feeling optimistic," about moving forward. There have been at least 7,136 deaths from COVID-19 in Chicago. Thats their choice and obviously thats their right, Lightfoot said. The Wild Things 2023 Conference drew thousands of outdoor sorts. The risk is down to a point where it is appropriate to lift the mandates, Arwady said. The moves bring Chicago in line with Gov. ### An average of 431 confirmed cases are being reported per day, down 30 percent from a week ago. JB Pritzker announced last week Illinois' statewide mask mandate is set to end Feb. 28, so long as the state's COVID-19 metrics continue to fall. Associated Press writers Claire Savage and Teresa Crawford in Chicago contributed to this report. "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. 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. 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. JB Pritzker's Illinois mask mandate to end Feb. 28 By Rob Elgas and. 6:45 PM PT - Tuesday, February 28, 2023. Block Club Chicago is a nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, nonpartisan and essential coverage of Chicagos diverse neighborhoods. 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. But COVID numbers in the city are plunging; daily cases have fallen 95% from their peak in late December. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. Please be kind and considerate of your fellow Chicagoans and the decisions we all continue to make to protect themselves and those around them.. The announcement follows Gov. Scott Weiner, partner 19 Chicago restaurants including West Town Bakery, said removing the mask mandate could be a major step toward normalcy. "When we reduce these measures, we increase our vulnerability of having transmission continue to go high," says Jessica Malaty Rivera, an epidemiologist at the Pandemic Prevention Institute. Johnson has avoided the word defund during the race, and his campaign says he does not want to cut the number of police officers. But the city could also opt to end its mandates early to line up with the state and avoid confusion for residents, Arwady said. The Illinois-Wisconsin sports rivalry is sufficiently acrimonious that a Packers loss is still reason for celebration, even if the Bears arent playing. Were gonna see where we are next week and make a decision sort of either way there, Arwady said. Plus, the Wieners Circle celebrates the Packers loss, and Peanut Park is a taste of Chicago history. 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. 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. Gov. The deluge of well-wishes has prompted Golom to think about delaying the closure and put the business up for sale in the hope that another operator will take it over. Its at 2 percent. In all, 53,187,015 tests have been reported in Illinois. Metra also issued an alert to riders Monday morning. A "Mask Required" sign at the entrance to a Kroger Co. grocery store in Houston, Texas, on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. ], Lightfoot said she will not hesitate to impose new rules and mandates to protect public health in the future but said her goal is to never shut down our economy again.. As a news piece, this article cites verifiable, third-party sources which have all been thoroughly fact-checked and deemed credible by the Newsroom. 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. "Really? 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.. 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. At times, it has led to some mixed messaging and conflict with the state. We really dont know.. 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. In a gathering of 50 people, she said during the mayors announcement, there is a one-in-five chance someone has COVID-19, as opposed to one-in-two, as it was a week ago. 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. The health commissioner expects the city to hit its goal for non-ICU hospital beds just a little behind that.. 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. 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. School districts, too, may decide to implement their own mask mandates. 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. Its been a tough January and February for restaurant operators, he said. 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. Vallas denied his comments were related to race and says his police union endorsement is from rank-and-file officers. Of course.. As of Tuesday, the citys test positivity rate of 1.5%, was in the low transmission category, while its rate of occupied hospital and ICU beds was in lower transmission. The seven-day rolling average of new daily cases was still at substantial transmission at 283 cases, but all those categories were decreasing. Then, a party of five leaves because all five of em do not have the vaccine. 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. 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. She joined LX News to talk about mask restrictions and what loosening them could mean for the nation. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot pauses during her concession speech as her spouse Amy Eshleman applauds during an election night party for the mayoral election Tuesday, Feb. 28, 2023, in Chicago. I still encourage people to take precautions and definitely get vaccinated to protect yourself and your loved ones.. As of Monday night, 352 people with COVID-19 were in the ICU and 172 people with COVID-19 were using ventilators in Illinois. Plus, local breweries raise thousands of dollars for Twisted Hippo after a devastating fire in Albany Park. 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. "If it is not the 28th it won't be long after would be my expectation," she explained. Still, a lawsuit by CPS parents in Mount Greenwood against the mandate could impact the situation going forward. It does not apply to visitors. It was at 4.1 percent Monday. Starting this coming Monday, patrons of restaurants, bars and gyms will be free to take their masks off and keep their vaccine cards in their wallets, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Chicago Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady announced at a City Hall news conference Tuesday. 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. 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.. Thats down from 2% a week ago. Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady explained she is relying on a set of metrics to determine when restrictions can be lifted, and three out of four key metrics must be met to move forward with easing restrictions. But Arwady noted that the full two-week period may not be reached before the lifting begins. This guy actually has a plan. Hospital beds: Chicago must have an average of 249 or fewer beds occupied by COVID-19 patients per day. 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. Thats my personal choice, Lightfoot 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. The mayor acknowledged that the mask and proof of vaccine mandates have been a challenge to enforce and a challenge to the bottom lines of restaurants. Since COVID-19 arrived in Chicago, we have been guided by the data when making decisions about necessary steps to protect people and keep from overwhelming our healthcare system, said CDPH Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D. Chicago lifting mask and vaccine mandates on Feb. 28 but will keep masks in schools for now, Maskless March: Pritzker to lift Illinois indoor mask mandate for most public areas Feb. 28 but not yet for schools, Rising COVID-19 cases prompt warnings for Illinoisans to remain vigilant and remain up to date on vaccine shots, State public health officials move away from outdated COVID testing positivity rate in favor of hospital metrics, Illinois COVID-19 cases rising: Critically important for immunocompromised to get vaccinated, boosted, Aiming to predict COVID, future pandemics better, CDC opens infectious diseases forecasting center, Unmasked transit: Pritzker ends mask mandates in public transportation, airports, US mask mandate for planes, other travel voided by federal judge in Florida, Dr. Ngozi Ezike to become CEO of Sinai Chicago hospital system, With COVID-19 cases rising, Pritzker still searching for public health chief to succeed Ezike, a hero during this pandemic, Lightfoot is out, Vallas and Johnson are in the April runoff, No major damage reported as tornadoes briefly touch down in Joliet, Naperville, Progressive leaders can blame themselves if Garcia or Johnson fail to make mayoral runoff, Blackhawks trade Patrick Kane to Rangers in era-ending move, Oscar predictions: Signs point to Everything turning to gold, Rain or snow coming later this week; NWS says stay tuned, Operation Fortune: Ruse de Guerre cant be taken seriously, or humorously, Chicago area scores No. Something went wrong. 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. The move to lift the mandates comes after the bottom dropped out on the Omicron surge. A formal announcement regarding changes to the mask and vaccine proof requirements will be made next week, the health official stated. The clerk's office keeps city records and makes them publicly accessible, and it keeps Chicagoans informed about City Council happenings. Here's what you should know as the mandates are removed. Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that Chicago will drop its mask mandate for most settings, as well as its proof-of-vaccination mandate at restaurants, bars and other indoor establishments, at the end of the month, reflecting a renewed hope for normalcy in the city as COVID-19 cases continue dropping from alarming highs. Learn more atLearn more at Chicago.gov/COVIDVax. The ruling is the latest chapter in McDonalds long legal saga regarding claims of racial discrimination. Heres what we know and what it means for schools, Chicago and the suburbs. The news was met with mixed reactions. Aaron Rodgers hasnt won a super bowl since Obamas first term, the tweet notes. "The Nanny" star Fran Drescher who is the current Screen Actors Guild - American Federation of Television and Radio Artists (SAG-AFTRA) president, alluded to the end of vaccine mandates in . I think there might be a few, Toia said. JB Pritzker said Wednesday. Positivity rate: Chicagos positivity rate must be at 4.9 percent or lower. 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.. It makes me angry," he said. "If we are not able to move on the 28th, I think it would probably be not very long after that. From your lips to Gods ears, she replied. 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. Lightfoot said the city is "making tremendous progress" in bringing down COVID-19 cases, but added that 500 cases per day is "not where we want to be," saying "we're still seeing too many people dying every day from COVID. On the North Side, business owners aren't satisfied with the still-uncertain plan. 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