Illinois seven-day case positivity rate was at 2.9 percent. As Lightfoot lifted her mandates, she told residents to respect the wishes of businesses that choose to require masks or proof-of-vaccination. "Really? Email Newsroom@BlockClubChi.org. 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. 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. 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. "We're still going to do that because we want to protect ourselves and the public," said Vicky Smith, owner of Charbella Salon. SAG-AFTRA President Fran Drescher gave a speech at the 2023 SAG Awards Sunday night urging Hollywood to use its power to end its "bulls - - t" COVID-19 vaccine mandate. Masks will still be required on public transportation, in healthcare settings, and in certain school districts, including the Chicago Public Schools. 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. 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 citys positivity rate was 1.5%. Well, if you didnt know, now you know, Johnson said. He also said he wasnt responsible for the liked tweets, which he called abhorrent, and suggested someone had improperly accessed his account. coronavirus chicago Chicago's mask mandate may not end when statewide restrictions are lifted, Lightfoot says Gov. Oops. Something went wrong. 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. 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. Block Club Chicagos coronavirus coverage is free for all readers. At times, it has led to some mixed messaging and conflict with the state. The mandate requiring proof-of-vaccination will also end Feb. 28. 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. 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. What to Know About the Cook County Commissioner After Advancing to the Runoff Election. Many school districts around the state have already gone mask-optional following recent court rulings school that temporarily suspended the mask rules for children whose families sued. 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. Vallas, who has led school systems in Chicago, New Orleans and Philadelphia, lost a 2019 bid for mayor. 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. Every dime we make fundsreportingfrom Chicagos neighborhoods. The home popcorn will be available in select Walmart stores on March 11, the day before the 95th Academy Awards. 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. In those areas, masks are no longer necessary, according to the agency. Mask mandates already have been removed in more than 150 school districts around the state after a judge blocked Gov. 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. 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. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, holds a face mask while speaking on Feb. 22, 2022. It's unclear when face mask and COVID vaccine requirements will be lifted in the city. 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. Lea este artculo en espaol en La Voz Chicago. The news was met with mixed reactions. All rights reserved. She joined LX News to talk about mask restrictions and what loosening them could mean for the nation. 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. newsletter, predicting an end to the statewide mask mandate, new neighborhood restaurant in Little Italy, 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, Alineas Top Bartenders Departure and Four More Shuffles, 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. Since Jan. 3, Chicago has required restaurant, bar and gym patrons to show proof of vaccination and a photo ID. CHICAGO (AP) Paul Vallas and Brandon Johnson will meet in a runoff to be the next mayor of Chicago after voters on Tuesday denied incumbent Lori Lightfoot a second term, issuing a rebuke to a leader who made history as head of the nation's third-largest city. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast). [Illinois will end its indoor mask mandate for most public places on Feb. 28. The Chicago Transit Authority reminded travelers Saturday that masks are still required on public buses and trains, as well as within the station. An official website of the City of Chicago. In all cases, thieves sought to take cash out of registers or tip jars. 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. "As the nation . 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. Testing in Chicago is up 17 percent from a week ago. In all, 53,187,015 tests have been reported in Illinois. 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 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.. Its reporting an average of 115 per day. Either way, its been a burden that has occasionally resulted in confrontations between employees and customers, Toia said. They cited a 1.5 point drop in the past week in Chicago's positivity rate. Lightfoot resisted proof-of-vaccine mandates until Jan. 3, long after other cities such as New York had implemented similar policies. What to Know About the Cook County Commissioner After Advancing to the Runoff Election. Anyone can call the citys coronavirus hotline at 312-746-4835 to get more information on how and where to get vaccinated in their community. The clerk's office keeps city records and makes them publicly accessible, and it keeps Chicagoans informed about City Council happenings. The City of Chicago mask mandate will likely end at the same time Pritzker lifts the Illinois mask mandate, health officials said. The metrics include test positivity, hospital beds occupied by COVID patients, ICU beds occupied by COVID patients and daily COVID cases. Johnson has avoided the word defund during the race, and his campaign says he does not want to cut the number of police officers. Gov. I will be honest with you: We need to hit those metrics to feel confident, Arwady 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. I want people to understand were not just choosing a date; were going based on when were there.. Gov. 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. That brings the total number of confirmed cases in Illinois up to 3,004,664. Scott Weiner, partner 19 Chicago restaurants including West Town Bakery, said removing the mask mandate could be a major step toward normalcy. All Rights Reserved. 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. Face masks on the Chicago Riverwalk last year. Gov. 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. When you get a party of five or six that comes in, three or four might have the vaccine and a couple dont. 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. 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.. The move comes amid improving COVID-19 metrics. "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. 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. 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. All Rights Reserved. Regardless of tonights outcome, we fought the right fights and we put this city on a better path, Lightfoot said. The ruling is the latest chapter in McDonalds long legal saga regarding claims of racial discrimination. Hospitalizations were down 29% to a daily average of 27. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune). The city of Chicago plans to end both its indoor mask mandate and its proof-of-vaccination mandate by the end of the month, in line with Illinois' timeline to drop the statewide indoor mask . I still encourage people to take precautions and definitely get vaccinated to protect yourself and your loved ones.. Also, some venues may continue to impose their own mitigation efforts to keep their clients and customers safe. The seven-day average for new cases was 8,093 last Friday, down from an all-time high of 13,701 on January 7 but its still more than ten times the average at the end of October, when Gov. 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. The figure represents the percentage of people testing positive among recent tests. Associated Press writers Claire Savage and Teresa Crawford in Chicago contributed to this report. Additionally, proof of vaccination is requiredat indoor restaurants, entertainment venues, gyms and other indoor facilities throughout the city. Meanwhile, bars and restaurants continue to deal with slow business and enforcing the mandate in the face of rude customers. 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. City of Chicago employees must, as a condition of employment, be fully vaccinated against COVID-19 effective October 15, 2021. 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 He knows how hes going to do it.. Fundraising efforts for the three-year-old Twisted Hippo were spearheaded by Mikerphone Brewing in Elk Grove Village and quickly drew support from other Chicago area breweries including Half Acre, Pipeworks, Lo Rez, and Skeleton Key Brewing in suburban Woodridge. "We got to see the day to get there. 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. Asked if she was treated unfairly because of her race and gender, Lightfoot said: Im a black woman in America. 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 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. COVID Illinois: City of Chicago vaccine mandate, face mask requirements may not end Feb. 28, date Gov. But it's only hit one so far and the state's masking end date is creeping up. 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. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Frustration is growing over the differing timelines for lifting COVID-19 mandates in Chicago and the state. 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. 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. 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. Crime was an issue that resonated with voters. Carlos Ramirez-Rosa and other City Council members. As of Monday night, 352 people with COVID-19 were in the ICU and 172 people with COVID-19 were using ventilators in Illinois. 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. Sam Toia, president and CEO of the Illinois Restaurant Association, called Tuesdays announcement an encouraging sign of better times ahead for Chicagos restaurant community. Columbia University will end its COVID-19 vaccine requirement as the national public health emergency expires this spring. At the moment, the latest COVID-19 surge seems to have peaked in Chicago. Lightfoot accused Vallas of using the ultimate dog whistle by saying his campaign is about taking back our city, and of cozying up to the president of the Fraternal Order of Police, whom she calls a racist. "We are almost down to these lower risk levels," the doctor explained, in part. The safety agreement with the teachers union mandates masks in schools until August. February 10, 2022 Chicago and Cook County health officials announced plans to revoke pandemic masking and vaccination entry requirements by Feb. 28, the day Illinois' statewide mask mandate. 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. Illinois and Chicago have administered at least 20,909,741 vaccine doses of the 23,455,645 provided to them. Illinois seven-day test positivity rate, which measures the percentage of tests that were positive, was at 3.8 percent. Johnson on Tuesday night noted the improbability that he would make the runoff, considering his low name recognition at the start of the race. In September, for instance, she dismissed a proposal for such a mandate from Ald. Here's what you should know as the mandates are removed. From your lips to Gods ears, she replied. Hospitalizations are down 75% from their high. It has been difficult. This time, he was laser-focused on public safety, saying police officers who left the force under Lightfoots administration will return if hes elected. Chicago is currently at high, the top of the scale. READ MORE: Pritzker to lift Illinois mask mandate for some. 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.. 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. 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. We're talking about a matter of a few days is going to make a difference?". 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,. 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. 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. 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