Executive Order 2022-11 (HTML) English Arabic One additional booster dose by 2nd birthday. Once mask mandates are lifted throughout Illinois and Chicago on Monday, face coverings will no longer be required in many places . CHICAGO Illinois mask mandate is ending Feb. 28. Gov. J.B. Pritzker is ending Illinois COVID-19 vaccine mandate for college students and faculty and easing some testing requirements for unvaccinated health care workers, changes that come despite growing concerns about new coronavirus variants that appear more able to evade immunity. statewide school requirement null and void., the citys mask mandate could be removed soon. For the 2022-2023 school year, the four-dose requirement applies to grades K-5. People walk by the Walter Athletics Center at Northwestern University on July 14, 2022, in Evanston. Since we dont know what new variants may come our way, when and where theyll show up, how our existing natural and/or vaccine-induced immunity may or may not protect us we could be playing with fire since we are flying blind with respect to being able to quickly understand the on-the-ground situation., Pritzkers decision to leave the vaccination requirement in place for employees in K-12 schools was praised by the leaders of the states largest school district and its two largest teachers unions. Navy Pier is offering free rides on the Centennial Wheel to celebrate the lifting of the mask mandate. Mask mandates are also a part of safety agreements with the Chicago Teachers Union, but CDPH Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady is hopeful the school mask mandate will be lifted soon. "I think especially when we look at settings that are higher vaccinated, those are settings where I very much hope as time moves on we'll be able to lift," she said. Footer 802 South 2nd Street | Springfield, IL 62704 J.B. Pritzkers mandate or a high court decision. Two metrics hospital and ICU beds occupied by COVID-19 patients are in the next-highest category, while the citys average number of cases diagnosed per day is still in the high category. That brings the total number of confirmed cases in Illinois up to 2,982,083. For more information or a list of printed promotional material from the state, please contact the Immunization Section. Here Are The New Rules Chicago officials announced they'll also lift the city's mask and vaccine card mandates at the end of February if local metrics decline. (Terrence Antonio James / Chicago Tribune). 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 will be lifted. Chicago will start the new year with some added restrictions as a vaccine mandate for certain indoor spaces is set to begin next month. All rights reserved, required to show proof of full vaccination, a vaccine mandate for certain indoor spaces, will require proof of vaccination for many indoor public spaces, seven days of their entry into the building, Here's a look at the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Data From South Africa Indicate Omicron Is Milder, But Better at Evading Vaccines, Pfizer Says COVID Pill 89% Effective Against Severe Disease, Potent Versus Omicron, New Ranking Names Most Expensive Cities In Illinois and These Chicago Suburbs Top the List, Body of Missing Genoa Man Recovered From River: Authorities, These Starved Rock Tiny Cabins Are Perfect For a Weekend Getaway, Buc-ee's, a Texas-Based Convenience Store Chain, Proposes First Wisconsin Location. Chicago Public Schools families should prepare for more remote learning in January as COVID-19 cases surge this winter, but the entire district is unlikely to shut down, schools chief Pedro Martinez said Tuesday. The president of Harper College in Palatine said she supported the governors new rules. Chicago and Cook County health officials said they will lift the citys proof of vaccination requirement and indoor mask mandate by Feb. 28, nearly two years under COVID-19 mitigations. Here's what you should know as the mandates are removed. Beginning Jan. 3, Chicago will require proof of vaccination for many indoor public spaces as the city works to combat what officials are calling "the biggest COVID surge that we have seen since before vaccines were available.". 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. Chicago, Cook County to lift mask mandates and vaccine requirement Feb. 28, lift the citys proof of vaccination requirement. When in municipalities, like cities or counties, that have mask mandates. As of Monday, Chicagoans will no longer be required to show proof of coronavirus vaccination in most indoor spaces, although there are some exceptions. While 99.9% of the COVID cases are of delta variant as of now, she predicted that the omicron variant will soon spread quickly based on the studies from other countries. As we continue to move toward living with this virus, my administration will relax some requirements while continuing to protect the most vulnerable and ensuring we can get every federal dollar our residents are eligible to receive, Pritzker said Wednesday in a statement. Two doses of varicella for students entering all grades. Many of the legal challenges to the rules were filed by attorney Thomas DeVore, who is now the Republican nominee for attorney general, though all of those lawsuits have ultimately been unsuccessful. "I would still recommend that if you are in indoor spaces, especially those that are crowded, that you put on a mask," said Dr. Rachel Rubin, Cook County Department of Health. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says that the new rules are going into effect because of rapid increases in COVID cases, with the city seeing a 500% increase in daily case averages over the last two months, and increases in hospitalizations, which have risen each of the last 30 days. Illinois seven-day case positivity rate was at 4.9 percent. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy (The Center Square) After the U.S. Supreme Court ruling Thursday against the Biden administration's vaccine or testing mandate on employers of more than 100 employees, its expected the Illinois Department of Labors COVID-19 vaccine or testing mandate will be withdrawn. "We're sitting next to strangers that we don't know, so it is the safest thing," said theatergoer Kevin Parliament. "Our special education students deserve to feel safe in school not to be constantly pushed aside for the sake of normalcy or for the sake of comfort," said parent Leigh Mabry White. Previously, the United Center had required proof of vaccination (and did not accept a negative test) for entry, and required all event-goers to wear masks. comeback But the governor said that mandate could also be done away with within weeks. Public transportation, including buses, trains and airplanes. I would like very much for it to be removed as soon as humanly possible, but the truth is that we need to follow the advice of doctors, epidemiologists, who understand this well, Pritzker said. Chicago's health . Here's a look at the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on what to do if you test positive or believe you were exposed to someone who has. Kelly Bauer 8:24 AM CST on Feb 9, 2022 Both Moderna and Pfizer have released early data showing the effectiveness of their vaccines and booster doses as the new omicron variant begins to take hold and as COVID cases rise across the U.S. If a child is delinquent for a scheduled appointment for immunization, he or she is no longer considered to be in compliance. Share. At the Cheetah Gym in Andersonville, the sign is up and the choice is up to customers when it comes to masking. Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of Executive Order 2021-22, as amended by Executive Order 2021-23, Executive Order 2021-27, Executive Order 2022-01, and Executive Order 2022-05 are re-issued and extended through June 25, 2022. We are on track to come out on the other side of this latest COVID storm in better shape than even the doctors expected, Pritzker said at a news conference Feb. 9. Metra also issued an alert to riders Monday morning. They include Alabama, Florida, Hawaii, Mississippi, and Texas. Some people said in larger crowds they will choose to keep their masks on for now. COVID-19 vaccinations are free and do not require insurance. And its not going back to normal.. The state agency's website said the final rules are not open to. Minimum interval between series doses: 4 weeks (28 days). Block Club Chicago is a nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, nonpartisan and essential coverage of Chicagos diverse neighborhoods. Children 24 to 59 months of age without primary series of PCV, shall show proof of receiving one dose of PCV after 24 months of age. Proof of immunization that complies with the ACIP recommendation for Hib vaccination. Restaurant owners in Chicago communities with low COVID-19 vaccination rates, mostly on the citys South and West sides, say pushback against the vaccine proof mandate has hurt sales and cost them customers. Some venues said they will keep their requirements for now. Illinois parents of athletes sued to prevent school districts and state powers from mandating vaccinations for high school students. In addition, the new guidelines do not change the federal requirement to wear masks on public transportation and indoors in airports, train stations and bus stations. Here are some options for how you can show proof of vaccination. Apple's new iOS 15.1 operating system allows users to add "verifiable" COVID vaccination information in the Wallet app, making it easier to provide proof of vaccination as opposed to carrying a physical card. But first, you have to flash that smile that's been hidden under your mask for so long. In accordance with the ACIP catch-up series a fourth dose of Polio is not needed if the third dose was administered at age four or older and at least six months after the previous dose was administered. The governor cautioned Illinoisans keep masks handy to comply with these lingering mandates and others set forth by local jurisdictions and businesses. Before classes wrapped for 2021 last week, CPS was seeing its highest case rates of the year in a post-Thanksgiving wave. (The Center Square) - After the U.S. Supreme Court ruling Thursday against the Biden administration's vaccine or testing mandate on employers of more than 100 employees, it's expected the Illinois Department of Labor's COVID-19 vaccine or testing mandate will be withdrawn. Weve used masks less when spread is diminished and hospitals have enough bandwidth, Pritzker said at a news conference. But under Pritzkers new rules, workers in hospitals and other health care facilities aside from long-term care facilities who arent fully vaccinated will have to continue to submit to weekly testing but only if they are in a high coronavirus transmission county as determined by the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. 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See Why Illinoisans Are Getting Vaccinated Everyone 5 and older is eligible to get vaccinated in Chicago. t 312.346.5700 f 312.896.2500, Springfield Office | Illinois Policy Third dose must have been administered on or after 6 months of age (168 days). Masks are also now optional for attendees. An average of 561 confirmed cases are being reported per day, down 47 percent from a week ago. Subscribe to Block Club Chicago,an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. Most indoor places are . Letter/statement to be honored by School Health Authorities and NOT submitted to IDPH for Review. Wilhelmi, president and CEO of the Illinois Health and Hospital Association, praised the changes, saying they will help hospitals maximize the use of resources for patient care, while simultaneously continuing to operate with reasonable and effective infection controls to remain safe places for patients, visitors and health care workers.. I think all of us are very hopeful that we might be able to never put masks back on, Pritzker said at a news conference Feb. 9. Chicago will soon require proof of vaccination for indoor public spaces like restaurants, bars and gyms in the new year, the city's mayor announced Tuesday, joining other big cities like New York and Los Angeles in adding the requirement as COVID cases surge. The move affects restaurants, bars, gyms and stores. Gov. When Gov. Between 1st and 3rd must be at least 16 weeks. On Nov. 8 voters will decide whether to grant Illinois union bosses more power to set school policy. Gov. Illinois' Mask Mandate Is Ending Feb. 28. The ruling upholding Mayor Lori Lightfoots vaccination mandate for city workers, except police, sets a precedent ahead of arbitration between the city and more than 20 Chicago labor unions. Northwestern . As of Tuesday evening, Chicago was reporting an average of 561 new confirmed cases per day. TAGS:IEA-NEA: Illinois Education Association, masks, vaccine mandate, TAGS:FOP: Fraternal Order of Police, Lori Lightfoot, vaccine mandate, TAGS:ISBE: Illinois State Board of Education, public schools, vaccine mandate, TAGS:COVID-19, JB Pritzker, vaccine mandate, TAGS:Illinois, St. Charles, vaccine mandate, TAGS:Chicago, COVID-19, Lori Lightfoot, vaccine mandate, After years of enhanced revenue from federal aid, a return to the basic principles of budgeting can put Illinois on the path to long-term financial stability, Chicago Office | Illinois Policy Proof of immunization that complies with ACIP recommendations for PCV. The city's (non) voters are not a monolith but crowded races and low awareness could be keeping them home, voting organizers say. We appreciate the measures that the governor has taken to support safe learning and working environments for our students to achieve their educational and career goals, President Avis Proctor said in a statement. Click Here for Vaccination Requirements Guidance, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, What To Do if You Are Sick or Test Positive for COVID-19, Private Laboratory COVID-19 Testing Options for Illinois Long-term Care Facilities, Ventilation, Filtration, and Air Cleaning Guidance, Governor Pritzker's Executive Orders and Rules, Multisystem Inflammatory Syndrome Children, IDPH Director Interview With Cardinal Blase Cupich, Additional Dose and Bivalent Booster Dose FAQ, Grant Accountability and Transparency (GATA). There was a problem saving your notification. Illinois Gov. Block Club Chicagos coronavirus coverage is free for all readers. Once three of the four fall into the lower transmission risk category and stay there for at least two weeks, the city will lift restrictions, according to the health department. Illinois Now, Pritzker said hes watching hospitalizations. I have not been this concerned about COVID-19 since the early days of the pandemic in 2020, she said.