Businesses and venues across the Chicago area are changing their masking and vaccine requirements as the city and Illinois lift their mandates.
Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued an updated executive order on Monday, officially ending mandatory masking in most indoor settings in the state.
Here's what you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic across Illinois today:
'She Will Go Down in the Illinois History Books': IDPH Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike Leaving Post
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike will be leaving her position later this month after serving three years in the role, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Tuesday.
Ezike will serve her last day as Illinois' top doctor on March 14. Dr. Amaal Tokars, who is currently the assistant director of IDPH, will serve as interim director as a nationwide search is launched to find a permanent replacement, according to the governor's office.
In announcing her departure, Pritzker proclaimed Tuesday Dr. Ngozi Ezike Day in Illinois, acknowledging her role in the state's fight against the coronavirus pandemic.
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"No number of sleepless nights and endless days could wear down her commitment to think first and foremost of Illinois' most vulnerable," Pritzker said. "I ran for office, I ran for office. She did not. But throughout the crisis, she has stood beside me every step of the way. I am not putting it lightly when I say that she has had one of the hardest jobs in the world. There is something particularly heroic about the service of an extraordinary individual who did not seek greatness, but found it anyway."
Read more here.
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5 More States, Territories Removed From Chicago Travel Advisory
Five states and territories were dropped from Chicago's travel advisory Tuesday, bringing the city's warning list down to 47 states and one territory.
The city's health department announced the District of Columbia, Nebraska, Ohio, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands all came off the advisory this week.
By next week, the city noted more than a dozen other locations could be removed.
Read more here.
Watch Live: Gov. Pritzker to Give COVID-19 Update With State's Top Doctor
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is scheduled to deliver a COVID-19 update alongside Illinois' top doctor, Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike, Tuesday.
The address is set to take place at 1:30 p.m. at Rush Hospital in Chicago, according to the governor's schedule.
It comes one day after both Illinois and Chicago lifted their indoor mask mandates, with Chicago also lifting its vaccine mandate.
Watch live here or in the player above.
Pritzker Issues Updated Executive Order as Mask Mandate Ends
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker issued an updated executive order on Monday, officially ending mandatory masking in most indoor settings in the state.
According to the new order, masks will no longer be required inside of most businesses and will not be required inside of schools, but those institutions will be allowed to enact their own mask requirements at their own discretion, according to the order.
Read more here.
Here's How COVID Metrics Compare to When Illinois First Ended its Mask Mandate
In a highly-anticipated move, Illinois rescinded its mask mandate Monday, allowing residents to stop wearing face coverings in indoor public spaces.
The decision was a significant one, as it’s been nearly six months to the day since Illinois brought back its mask mandate in Aug. 2021 in response to a spike of the delta variant.
Previously, the state had lasted just over three months with a modified or eliminated mask mandate, having removed the mask requirement for vaccinated individuals in May 2021 and fully repealing all COVID mitigations in June.
Read more here.
Arenas, Theaters and More: How Venues Are Responding to Lifting of Mask Mandates
While Chicago and Illinois are lifting vaccine and mask mandates across the city and state, some of the city's biggest venues are making decisions of their own.
From the United Center to the Chicago Theatre and more, the sites of some of the area's biggest events are announcing changes to their COVID protocols.
Read more here.
United Center to Adjust COVID Rules as Chicago Lifts Mask, Vaccine Mandates
The United Center is easing its in-arena COVID-19 guidelines in the wake of the city of Chicago lifting its mask and proof-of-vaccination mandates for restaurants, bars and other indoor establishments, the arena announced Monday morning.
Read more here.
What to Know as Mask Mandates End Monday in Chicago and Illinois
Mask mandates are being lifted across Illinois, including in Chicago, Monday, marking the end of a months-long requirement for many indoor public spaces.
But that doesn't mean you won't need masks in certain locations.
Here's what you should know as the mandates are lifted.
Metra, CTA Remind Riders That Masks Are Still Required Despite Mandates Lifting
As mask mandates are lifted throughout Illinois and Chicago on Monday, face coverings will no longer be required in many places, but mask policies remain in place for public transportation and Metra and the Chicago Transit Authority are reminding riders of that.
The new guidelines do not change the federal requirement to wear masks on public transportation and indoors in airports, train stations and bus stations.
The Chicago Transit Authority reminded travelers Saturday that masks are still required on public buses and trains, as well as within the station.
Metra also issued an alert to riders Monday morning.
Read more here.
Here Are the Illinois Counties Where You Should Still Wear a Mask, According to CDC
The U.S. has relaxed mask guidance for the majority of Americans, explaining more than 70% of people live in areas where masks can safely be removed indoors.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention announced a shift in metrics Friday that leans less heavily on COVID-19 cases and instead gives more weight to hospitalizations and hospital capacity.
While the new recommendation means most people don't need to wear a mask indoors, that's not the case for everyone in Illinois.
A total of 21 Illinois counties are experiencing troublesome metrics and are listed as having "high" COVID transmission.
Read more here.
CPS Reminds Parents That Mask Mandate Remains in Effect for Students, Teachers
Although mask mandates in public places and schools in the state of Illinois will end on Monday, Chicago Public Schools officials are reminding parents that the facial-covering requirements will remain in effect in the city’s educational facilities.
The CPS mask mandate, part of an agreement reached between city officials and the Chicago Teachers Union earlier this year, will remain in effect for the time-being, according to a letter sent to parents on Sunday.
“To ensure the continued safety of our students and staff, CPS will continue to require universal masking in our schools and offices for now,” CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said.
Read more here.
