The requirement forced restaurants and bars already struggling with a shortage of staff to reassign some workers to check vaccination cards and IDs or ask beleaguered wait staff to do it. 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. As Illinois aims to lift its mask mandate by Feb. 28, Lori Lightfoot said the city is not there yet in regard to eliminating mask and vaccine card requirements, This Map Shows Exactly How the City of Chicago Voted for Mayor in the 2023 Election, Report: Jalen Carter Arrest Warrant Issued for Racing Car, Election Results: See How All 50 Wards Voted in Chicago's Aldermanic Elections, Who Did Your Ward Vote For? Golom on Valentines Day announced her plans to retire and close the restaurant on Sunday, February 27, but has since received thousands of phone calls and Facebook comments from patrons hoping to visit one last time. The show requires its chef contestants to create meals from a selection of mystery ingredients. As of February 21, the 7-day-rolling-average test positivity (now 1.5% in Chicago), hospital COVID-19 census, and ICU COVID-19 census have all reached the pre-defined lower risk category, meaning they have been in an acceptable lower risk range for the last week. Rita DiPietro, who lives downtown, said she supported Lightfoot in 2019. A recent Chicago Tribune story also found Vallas Twitter account had liked racist tweets and tweets that mocked Lightfoots appearance and referred to her as masculine. The Chicago Board of Education is poised to vote on a resolution at Wednesdays monthly board meeting that would ratify district COVID-19 safety measures including universal masking of students and staff; testing for unvaccinated employees; and directing those who test positive or have been exposed to the virus to temporarily stay home. JB Pritzker said 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. By submitting your email, you agree to our, The freshest news from the local food world, Chicagos Mask and Vaccination Mandates for Bars and Restaurants Will End February 28, Sign up for the Still, the number of cannabis-related calls is a very small percentage of the more than 80,000 the center received last year; of those, the highest percentage were for household cleaners, prescription drugs, cosmetics, and alcohol. Dr. Arwady said they are using case numbers, test positivity, hospital bed availability and ICU bed availability to make determinations on COVID mitigations, with three of four metrics needing to be in blue or green level for low transmission. Deaths were down 51 % over the last week from 9.7 last week to 4.7. As Lightfoot lifted her mandates, she told residents to respect the wishes of businesses that choose to require masks or proof-of-vaccination. At a press conference Tuesday afternoon, Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady said the city is averaging 431 cases per-day, above the 400 cases-per day threshold signaling high transmission. She has encouraged residents to get vaccinated and warned about possible restrictions if the city sees spikes. Regardless of tonights outcome, we fought the right fights and we put this city on a better path, Lightfoot 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. But Arwady noted that the full two-week period may not be reached before the lifting begins. 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. ICU beds: Chicago must have an average of 99 or fewer ICU beds occupied by COVID-19 patients per day. 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. He also said he wasnt responsible for the liked tweets, which he called abhorrent, and suggested someone had improperly accessed his account. The lawsuit, which was initially dismissed but is now moving ahead with an amended complaint, seeks $10 billion in damages. Everyone 5 and older is eligible to get vaccinated in Chicago. 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. The city's end to its mandates will line up with the state, which plans to lift its own mask mandate Monday. 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. (Brian Cassella / Chicago Tribune). Vallas served as an adviser to the Fraternal Order of Police during its negotiations with Lightfoots administration. Testing in Chicago is up 17 percent from a week ago. 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. J.B. Pritzker's previously announced plans to end the Illinois mask mandate on the same date. But Chicago Public Schools is a notable exception and will continue to require masking. 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. The state reported 2,893 cases since Monday. Lightfoots announcement was widely expected. But she also has made a point of emphasizing her desire to keep the city as open as possible. 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. Positivity rate: Chicagos positivity rate must be at 4.9 percent or lower. Businesses from salons to fitness centers to restaurants have suffered during the pandemic. While COVID case numbers and hospitalizations have been on a downward trend in Chicago, Mayor Lori Lightfoot won't commit to eliminating the mask and vaccine mandate in indoor spaces by the end of the month, in line with the state's plan. While Chicago lifted its mask mandate Monday, is the proof of COVID-19 vaccination requirement removed now, as well? Some said by the end of the month isn't soon enough. As of Monday, Chicagoans will no longer be required to show proof of. A formal announcement regarding changes to the mask and vaccine proof requirements will be made next week, the health official stated. This is a meaningful step that will increase consumer confidence and keep our restaurants on a steady path to recovery.. But the city could also opt to end its mandates early to line up with the state and avoid confusion for residents, Arwady said. CHICAGO The city's mask and vaccine card mandates will end Monday. This includes directly interviewing sources and research / analysis of primary source documents. Were going back to a sense of normalcy. 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 Thats my personal choice, Lightfoot said. "Their regulations are making it harder . 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, Alineas Top Bartenders Departure and Four More Shuffles, A running log of key moves within Chicagos hospitality industry, These top pizzerias wont show up on national TV stock footage of Chicago, Sign up for the 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. Johnson has avoided the word defund during the race, and his campaign says he does not want to cut the number of police officers. Thats tough. Lightfoot, who tested positive for COVID last month, says she will continue to wear a mask. Under the statewide and newly announced city rules, face coverings will still be required in schools, health care settings and public transportation. 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. [Illinois will end its indoor mask mandate for most public places on Feb. 28. Since Monday, 53 Illinoisans were reported dead from COVID-19. Providing guidance, services, and strategies that make Chicago a healthier and safer city. 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. ", "I don't want to put an artificial date on when this is going to happen when we still see some danger signs in the data," Lightfoot said. Its been two years since Illinois legalized recreational marijuana, and since then, cannabis-related calls to the Illinois Poison Center have nearly doubled, the Tribune reports, from 487 in 2019 to 855 in 2021. 6:45 PM PT - Tuesday, February 28, 2023. Illinois will end its indoor mask mandate for most public places on Feb. 28. Then, a party of five leaves because all five of em do not have the vaccine. When the @packers lose to the @49ers tomorrow night, we will be giving away all you can eat fries topped with Wisconsins finest cheddar, to all bar patrons who would like to celebrate. 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. 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. 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. There are clear contrasts between Vallas and Johnson. The city is seeing an average of more than eight people dying per day, down 40 percent from a week ago. OAN Sophia Flores. But it's only hit one so far and the state's masking end date is creeping up. More information will be announced next week, Arwady said. This doesnt mean COVID is gone, it simply means transmission levels are lower than they have been during surges. Something went wrong. Associated Press writers Claire Savage and Teresa Crawford in Chicago contributed to this report. 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. Mayor Lori Lightfoot puts on a face mask while listening as Dr. Allison Arwady speaks to reporters, during a press conference announcing the citys plans to lift its mask and proof-of-vaccine mandates at City Hall, Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. 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. 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. After those two weeks, if the numbers remain within the lower transmission category, then officials would move to remove mitigations that are in place. Currently, Chicago has a mask mandate in place for indoor settings, along with a requirement that patrons in specific indoor establishments show a proof of COVID-19 vaccination in order to gain entry. 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. A few months ago they said they didnt know who I was. The fires origins remain in question Fire Department investigators say it likely began in a gangway between Twisted Hippo and the apartments and officials are probing the 72 pending court cases associated with landlord Gary Carlson. 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