Please enter a valid email and try again. Earlier in the month, it remained unclear whether Chicagowhich has a . The National Weather Service is tracking a storm that could bring a decent accumulation of snow. Hospitalizations were down 29% to a daily average of 27. 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. Masks will still be required on public transportation, in healthcare settings, and in certain school districts, including the Chicago Public Schools. I still encourage people to take precautions and definitely get vaccinated to protect yourself and your loved ones.. 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. Under the statewide and newly announced city rules, face coverings will still be required in schools, health care settings and public transportation. Lightfoots loss is unusual for mayors in large cities, who have tended to win reelection with relative ease. The state reported 2,893 cases since Monday. A "Mask Required" sign at the entrance to a Kroger Co. grocery store in Houston, Texas, on Wednesday, March 10, 2021. Clickhereto support Block Clubwith atax-deductible donation. This article contains new, firsthand information uncovered by its reporter(s). Lightfoot resisted proof-of-vaccine mandates until Jan. 3, long after other cities such as New York had implemented similar policies. Even by the mayors own standards for lifting mitigations, Chicago now passes the test with flying colors. J.B. Pritzker's previously announced plans to end the Illinois mask mandate on the same date. The mask mandate and proof-of-vaccine requirement will also end on Monday in suburban Cook County, officials said. "February 28 is obviously the date that the state set; it's not the date that the city set.". Thats what the general public wants to see. Lightfoot touted her record of investing in neighborhoods and supporting workers, such as by increasing the minimum wage to $15 an hour. Speaking to supporters Tuesday night, Lightfoot called being Chicagos mayor the honor of a lifetime.. Vallas was the only white candidate in the field. 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. "As the . Johnson has avoided the word defund during the race, and his campaign says he does not want to cut the number of police officers. It has been difficult. Learn more atLearn more at Chicago.gov/COVIDVax. We will make Chicago the safest city in America, Vallas said. It's unclear when face mask and COVID vaccine requirements will be lifted in the city. 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. Got a story tip? Thanks for subscribing to Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. 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. 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. Lightfoot, Johnson and five other candidates are Black, though Lightfoot argued she was the only Black candidate who could win. I think there might be a few, Toia 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. Johnson received about $1 million from the Chicago Teachers Union for his campaign and had support from several other progressive organizations, including United Working Families. The city is seeing an average of more than eight people dying per day, down 40 percent from a week ago. It was at 3.3 percent Monday. CDPH recommends Chicagoans who may be immunocompromised or have a family member who is immunocompromised still wear a mask, as well residents under the age of 5 who are still not eligible for a COVID-19 vaccine. 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. 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. "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. 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, Sign up for the A federal judge last week denied a request from Chicago-based fast food giant McDonalds to toss out a discrimination lawsuit brought by Byron Allen, the high-profile businessman and media mogul behind the Weather Channel, according to Crains. 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. It was at 4.1 percent Monday. In a memo to students, faculty and staff, University Provost Mary Boyce announced last week that the mandate "will no longer be in effect" starting on May 11, and phase out submitting proofs of vaccination. During a Facebook live question-and-answer session, Arwady said she is "feeling optimistic," about moving forward. An official website of the City of Chicago. Mikerphone also led a fundraising campaign, ultimately raising more than $145,000. "Really? Chicago is currently at high, the top of the scale. The move to lift the mandates comes after the bottom dropped out on the Omicron surge. 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. 6:45 PM PT - Tuesday, February 28, 2023. 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. At times, it has led to some mixed messaging and conflict with the state. Thats tough. 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.. Illinois seven-day test positivity rate, which measures the percentage of tests that were positive, was at 3.8 percent. Based on key data, it looks as if the worst of the Omicron surge is behind us and we will be able to safely remove these emergency measures instituted to protect the health and safety of our residents, said Mayor Lightfoot. 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. Something went wrong. This guy actually has a plan. Aaron Rodgers hasnt won a super bowl since Obamas first term pic.twitter.com/D0WxOeCDfn, Tribune critic Louisa Chu grants two-and-a-half stars to Peanut Park Trattoria, the new neighborhood restaurant in Little Italy from the owners of deli palace Tempesta Market, thin-crust hit Coalfire, and suburban traditionalist Ristorante Agostino. "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 . Face masks on the Chicago Riverwalk last year. Thats their choice and obviously thats their right, Lightfoot said. 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. 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. Well, if you didnt know, now you know, Johnson said. That could mean Chicagos mask mandate will hang around after the state lifts its restriction, Dr. Allison Arwady, head of the Chicago Department of Public Health, said Tuesday. The clerk's office keeps city records and makes them publicly accessible, and it keeps Chicagoans informed about City Council happenings. Subscribe to Block Club Chicago,an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. 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. Thats my personal choice, Lightfoot said. But if it's the difference of just a few days, I don't think it's worth the potential confusion to the public. 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. Its reporting an average of 431 per day. Indicates that a Newsmaker/Newsmakers was/were physically present to report the article from some/all of the location(s) it concerns. Testing in Chicago is up 17 percent from a week ago. 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? (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune). The health commissioner expects the city to hit its goal for non-ICU hospital beds just a little behind that.. But she also has made a point of emphasizing her desire to keep the city as open as possible. 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. The state will lift the rule which requires people to wear masks when indoors in public at the end of the month as long as it continues to see declines in COVID-19 metrics, Gov. After those two weeks, if the numbers remain within the lower transmission category, then officials would move to remove mitigations that are in place. The health care vaccination mandate is scheduled to run until November 2024. 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. Cook Countys public health department, which covers most of the countys suburbs, announced it would follow suit, lifting its general mask mandate and proof-of-vaccine requirement on Monday, as well as its requirement that employees of establishments such as restaurants and gyms be vaccinated or submit to weekly COVID-19 testing. Here are key takeaways from the night. And we must respect it, Lightfoot said. 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. The vaccine requirement for restaurants, bars, gyms and other indoor public settings where food and beverages are served went into effect on January 3 in response to the alarming rise in COVID-19 cases both locally and nationally, driven in part by the Omicron variant. "It riles me. Originally, Dr. Allison Arwady, the citys chief public health official, had said that the mandates would only be lifted if three of the four basic COVID-19 transmission metrics were at the two lowest levels for two weeks. 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.. Then, a party of five leaves because all five of em do not have the vaccine. At his victory party, Vallas noted that Lightfoot had called to congratulate him and asked the crowd to give her a round of applause. 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. A man in his 60s was taken to Swedish Hospital in serious condition due to smoke inhalation, the Trib reports, but no other injuries were reported. What to Know About the Cook County Commissioner After Advancing to the Runoff Election. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune). On the North Side, business owners aren't satisfied with the still-uncertain plan. Mask mandates already have been removed in more than 150 school districts around the state after a judge blocked Gov. sent-trib.com While Chicago lifted its mask mandate Monday, is the proof of COVID-19 vaccination requirement removed now, as well? Through the resolution, the board would also reaffirm CPS CEO Pedro Martinezs authority to change district COVID-19 policies in consultation with public health officials and other stakeholders, which presumably include the Chicago Teachers Union. 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. She is the first elected Chicago mayor to lose a reelection bid since 1983, when Jane Byrne, the citys first female mayor, lost her Democratic primary. Eleven Chicago aldermen signed a letter callingon the city to lift all mandates by this weekend, in time for the Super Bowl and Valentine's Day. They cited a 1.5 point drop in the past week in Chicago's positivity rate. We've got to hit the data points," Arwady said. "We got to see the day to get there. 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 Illinois-Wisconsin sports rivalry is sufficiently acrimonious that a Packers loss is still reason for celebration, even if the Bears arent playing. All Rights Reserved. Were gonna see where we are next week and make a decision sort of either way there, Arwady said. Everyone 5 and older is eligible to get vaccinated in Chicago. 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 . Were gon na see where we are next week and make a decision sort of either way,. Even if the Bears arent playing, such as new York had implemented similar.! That the state times, it remained unclear whether Chicagowhich has a blocked.. To Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501 ( c ) ( )! Now, as well accumulation of snow County, officials said County commissioner after Advancing to the Runoff.! 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