The city also has had a mask mandate for indoor settings. Use our sample social media posts to encourage your friends and family to #MASKUP. DAYCARE CENTER STAFF VACCINE MANDATE - Daycare center staff statewide are required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine if they have not done so already. Missing Crain's in print? You may be wondering what this means for you in terms of access to vaccines, testing, and therapeutics. Cook County Department of Public Health Statement on Covid Mandates (sexually transmitted infections), Fight the Bite (mosquito bite prevention), Go the Distance Cook County (physically active), Rethink Your Drink (sugar-sweetened beverages), Slow Spread. CCDPH Mitigation Order 2021-2 was issued on February 5, 2021 and updates the Mitigation Guidelines capacities for Social Settings. If 10% of staffed hospital beds in Cook County are in use by COVID-19 patients on average during the past seven days, the risk level would rise to high, according to the CDC. Despite the CDC recommendations, local governments, including those in areas of low risk, like most of northern Illinois, have the ability to set their own rules. Arwady stressed that even though the county was in the medium risk category the city is not near reinstating mandates on indoor masking or proof-of-vaccination, though Chicago Public Schools and the Chicago Transit Authority also are encouraging indoor masking. Get Prepared. (emergency preparedness), Don't Guess. The order would also still allow judges to order masks be worn in their courtrooms. We take it very seriously. CPS case numbers have been rising since students returned from spring break last month. . You may be wondering what this means for you in terms of access to vaccines, testing, and therapeutics. Chicago to End Mask Mandate, Vaccine Requirement on Monday - News (contact tracing), Spread Facts Not Flu (flu and germ prevention). The developments come one week after suburban Cook County areas reached the medium risk level, prompting officials to also recommend indoor masking, and as COVID-19 numbers climb across Illinois. The decision was made in consultation with Dr. Rachel Rubin, M.D., senior medical officer and co-lead of the Cook County Department of Public Health. She informed my staff that our local community transmission rate remains substantial, and strongly recommends we continue our mask mandate until levels reach moderate or low, Judge Evans said. CCDPH Mitigation Order 2021-01 was issued on February 2, 2021 initiates Phase 4 Mitigation Guidance. The Executive Orders can be viewed here. . The state will continue to evaluate the need for additional mitigations and will not hesitate to put them in place as needed to protect thehealthof Illinois residents, the Thursday statement says. Establishments previously cited for violation under the Cook County Department of Public Health Mitigation Orders 2020-1 and 2020-2 will be retained by the Department but not listed. Hospital admissions mirror this decline through the end of January. J.B. Pritzker's timeframe for ending mask requirements as long as improvements occur. Martinez noted the positivity rate of the districts in-school COVID-19 testing program is 0.68% while the citys positivity rate is 3.9%. With the way the current COVID variants are behaving, those are measures we would consider if we reached the high COVID-19 community level which we arent close to reaching in Chicago right now.. In the memo, obtained by The Cook County Record, Judge Evans advised the Circuit Courts judges and employees that the circuit court intends to continue following the guidance of the Cook County Department of Public Health to mandate everyone, Two new Dem IL Supreme Court justices refuse to step aside on hearing 'assault weapons' ban case, Battle over IL gun ban expanding, setting stage for big showdown to come before Chicago fed appeals court, Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul announces Attorney General Raoul Announces $462 Million Settlement With E-cigarette Manufacturer Juul Labs, Appeals court turns down bid for injunction vs IL 'assault weapons' ban while appeal of Chicago judge's ruling continues, Judge: No fundamental right for father to forbid Villa Park school district from helping child change genders, S. IL fed judge says IL 'assault weapons' ban likely violates Second Amendment, puts enforcement on hold, Naperville gun shop owner asks Supreme Court to block IL gun ban, Another judge says IL free to ban 'assault weapons' under 2nd Amendment because the guns are 'particularly dangerous', Employers urge IL Supreme Court to reconsider fingerprint scan decision they say will cripple IL businesses, economy. Feb. 28, 2022, 12:34 PM PST / Updated April 21, 2022, 6:15 AM PDT. 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. CHICAGO The proof of vaccine and mask mandates will be lifted on Feb. 28 in Chicago and in Cook County, officials announced Tuesday. (sexually transmitted infections), Fight the Bite (mosquito bite prevention), Go the Distance Cook County (physically active), Rethink Your Drink (sugar-sweetened beverages), Slow Spread. increasing indoor dining capacities to the lesser of 40% or 50 people. (emergency preparedness), Don't Guess. Vaccines continue to protect people from severe disease and death from COVID-19. Masking as part of isolation after infection and quarantine after exposure is still necessary to prevent COVID-19 transmission. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News). In all, the statewide death toll stands at 33,660 since the pandemic began. Dr. Allison Arwady, the commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, said Thursday morning Chicago officials will reimpose an indoor mask mandate only if and when the number of COVID-19 patients threatens the ability of Chicagos hospitals to function. However, masks will still be required in classrooms in the city of. Cook County's public health department, which covers most of the county's suburbs, announced it would follow suit, lifting its general mask mandate and proof-of-vaccine requirement on Monday . 300 S. Riverside Plaza | 1650 | Chicago, IL 60606 Still, Amaal Tokars, acting director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, said in statement Friday that the agency would stress this (is) not a cause for alarm.. Even as mask mandates come to an end in Illinois, Chicago and Cook County, there will still be some requirements in place. Copyright Cook County Department of Public Health. Look for #MASKUP Cook County social media ads on YouTube, Instagram and Snapchat throughout the month of September in English and Spanish. // But the judges over the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois changed its rules pertaining to masking in August, ending a mask mandate for most people using the courthouse that had been in place since 2021. Individuals, including those who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, should wear a mask in public indoor settings now that the areas community transmission risk has moved to substantial from moderate, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. While local, county and state officials are revoking the indoor masking requirement for most state residents, Illinois students and school staff will continue to remain masked as other states empower local school districts to decide. The city of Chicago continues to monitor this closely. Now, Pritzker said hes watching hospitalizations. 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. Masks Still Recommended in Cook County K-12 Schools Following Court Ruling Even though an Illinois appellate court ruling dismissed Gov. But Arwady said the city would follow Cook County if the county broke 200 cases per 100,000 first. Whether a mandate is in effect or not, we must remember that masks work to prevent the spread of COVID-19. Contact Heather Cherone:@HeatherCherone| (773) 569-1863 |[emailprotected]. During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, several Mitigation Orders and Recommendations have been issued by the Cook County Department of Public Health. E-mail oureditor This immunity, combined with the availability of tests and treatments, has greatly reduced the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from COVID-19 for many people. That is due to the efficacy of the vaccines, Arwady said. CCDPH Mitigation Order 2021-08 was issued on May 14, 2021 and updates the Mitigation Guidelines capacities to enter the Bridge to Phase 5. In late February 2022, the Illinois Supreme Court issued an order, removing indoor mask mandates for that court and state appellate courts. (Niles Fire Department EMS personnel will continue to wear appropriate masks and protective equipment on calls). (Antonio Perez / Chicago Tribune). (Heather Cherone/WTTW News) Chicago will end its indoor mask mandate and will no longer require that restaurants, fitness centers and bars demand proof of vaccination from customers on Monday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said on Tuesday. The Mitigation Orders can be seen below: CCDPH Mitigation Order 2022-1 was issued on February 28, 2022, and goes into effect on Monday, February 28, 2022 at 6 a.m. Chicago Office | Illinois Policy Should Orders come back into effect, issued citations will be posted on this webpage. CCDPH Mitigation Order 2021-11 was issued on December 23, 2021, amended on January 3, 2022, and goes into effect on January 3, 2022, requiring masking in indoor public spaces and requiring patrons to be fully vaccinated in indoor spaces that serve food and drink for on-premises consumption and in health and fitness centers. What to Know as Chicago and Illinois Lift Mask Mandates, CDC Weighs Cook County, Illinois, Issues Proof-of-COVID-19-Vaccination Severe outcomes in Chicago remain relatively rare and the burden of COVID-19 on our local hospitals remains low, according to a statement from the Chicago Department of Public Health. March 10, 2022. Wearing a mask indoors to protect those at high risk for severe illness from a COVID-19 infection, including adults over the age of 50, those with underlying medical conditions, and the immunocompromised; Socializing outdoors if possible and avoiding poorly ventilated indoor settings; Testing for COVID-19 before attending a family or public event; Requesting treatment for COVID-19 from a medical provider in the event of a COVID-positive diagnosis; and. The metrics are based on a combination of new cases and hospitalizations, but the medium category is automatically reached if weekly cases surpass 200 positive tests per 100,000 residents. Per TSA mandate, face masks are still required on all public transportation through March 18th. In Cook County, . Illinois Coronavirus Updates: Chicago Mask Mandate, Latest COVID Court officials will continue to meet with the Cook County Department of Public Health in the coming weeks and provide updates as necessary. All rights reserved, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its masking guidance Friday, Carry-On Calamity: Airline Reimburses Woman for Prized Sewing Machine Damaged in Flight, Police Reveal What Was Behind Illinois Dust Storm That Led to Fatal I-55 Crash, I-55 Shut Down in Both Directions Due to Large Crash' Amid Dust Storm in South-Central Illinois, Where to Watch 2023 Met Gala Celebrity Arrivals on Monday, Portillo's Adds New Menu Item to Restaurants Nationwide and It's Now Available, At Least 6 People Killed, 30 Injured in Large Crashes on I-55 in Illinois During Dust Storm, How Much Could You Get in New $725M Facebook Settlement? pic.twitter.com/OEpigQhs0D. As a result, CDPH is recommending that businesses, employers and event organizers require universal masking in all public indoor settings. One of them is wearing a mask. Since then, the Illinois Department of Public Health has at times moved Cook Countys Covid risk level between low and high several times. In late February 2022, the Illinois Supreme Court issued an order, removing indoor mask mandates for that court and state appellate courts. Court officials will continue to meet with the Cook County Department of Public Health in the coming weeks and provide updates as necessary. Cook County now has 10.9new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 residents during a seven-day period, meeting the threshold set by federal health officials to warn residents that the risk of contracting COVID-19 has risen from medium to high. (The city of Chicago has 7.0 new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 during a seven-day period, according to Chicago Department of Public Health data.). 2022. Among Illinois neighbors, the order would apply to preschools and other Head Start facilities in Indiana, Missouri, Iowa and Kentucky, but not Illinois. As of February 28, 2022: Masks are no longer required indoors and at businesses in Illinois and Cook County - including Niles. Hospitalizations for COVID-19 hit an all-time high of 7,380 on Jan. 12, the height of the winter surge driven by the omicron variant. Under the federal agency's recommendation, areas of substantial transmission are . While mask requirements are being lifted or reconsidered at all levels of government, federal, state and local public health authorities continue to recommend that masks be worn in many settings, including some similar to the various spaces in Cook County courthouses. Before that, Evans served as a Chicago city alderman for 18 years. CCDPH Mitigation Order 2021-07 was issued on April 30, 2021. The news follows Gov J.B. Pritzker announcement that the statewide indoor mask mandate will be lifted on Feb. 28, excluding in schools, hospitals and on public transit. Cook County is at 259 cases per 100,000 residents, according to CDC data. The problem with not requiring vaccinated people to mask in public indoor settings is that "you dont know whos really vaccinated and who isnt when they come inside a place, Rubin said. Federal health officials consider the risk of contracting COVID-19 high in a county where the hospitals and health system were beginning to be strained by the number of those ill with the virus, according to guidelines that have been in place since Feb. 28. Therefore, until local transmission rates reach safer levels, the court will continue its policy of requiring masks or other face coverings in the courthouses at all times other people are present, unless a person is otherwise instructed by the judge or court personnel. Cook County Department of Public Health Latest Masking Guidance Masks Recommended By Cook County Health Officials As COVID Cases Rise But a city might still want to keep community vaccine mandates around to protect vaccinated . Health officials in suburban Cook County also said they will drop their mask mandate and their proof-of-vaccination requirement at the end of the month. As times progresses, health officials say they will continue to monitor all measures that will be considered in the decision-making progress, including: Not all metrics need to be at target to modify the current mitigations, health officials explained, but substantial progress must be observed. In the memo, obtained by The Cook County Record, Judge Evans advised the Circuit Courts judges and employees that the circuit court intends to continue following the guidance of the Cook County Department of Public Health to mandate everyone, regardless of vaccination status, wear masks while indoors at the countys courthouses in Chicago and the suburbs. Pritzker said that mandate could be lifted in the coming weeks if rates continue their downward trajectory. but stopped short of re-instituting a statewide mask mandate . Cook Countys courts continue to stand alone in the region in requiring everyone who enters courthouses to wear masks, and has done so since early 2022. He has been a Cook County judge since 1992. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its masking guidance Friday to show 70% of the nation's counties at low or medium risk for COVID. At CPS, employees and parents received a letter from CPS CEO Pedro Martinez stating that the district will continue strongly encouraging the use of masks in our schools, especially among unvaccinated students, but it will not restore the mask mandate it dropped in March. All rights reserved. But as we saw, things started to rise and it was good thing that people in Illinois were maybe ahead of others to say, time to put masks back on so yeah, there may come a time in the future when we need to do that.. Following the guidance, Gov. However, Judge Evans said Rubin indicates that relaxing the policy might be warranted following and (sic) anticipated surge in COVID infections over the winter.. Government Regulations and Mandates | Niles, IL - Official Website Chicago's Mask and Vaccination Mandates for Bars and Restaurants Will School districts, too, may decide to implement their own mask mandates. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"XyjEMcN0YUqhjJR0vKFOD2l_jbHFDr5H6e_rxsmaLxg-1800-0"}; Getting vaccinated and boosted, wearing a mask, testing often, watching our distance, washing our hands, and staying home when sick, are all proven strategies for helping to slow the spread of COVID-19 and its variants, like Delta and Omicron. Copyright Cook County Department of Public Health. Sign up for our morning newsletter to get all of our stories delivered to your mailbox each weekday. Heather Cherone | May 26, 2022 6:43 pm (Patty Wetli / WTTW News) All residents of Cook County including those in Chicago now face a "high" risk of contracting COVID-19 and should wear a mask indoors, according to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Address :Cook County Department of Public Health Administrative Office, 7556 Jackson Boulevard She informed my staff that our local community transmission rate remains substantial, and strongly recommends we continue our mask mandate until levels reach moderate or low, Judge Evans said. However, the appetite among Americans for further continued restrictions, including indoor mask mandates, seems to be wearing thin and mask usage continues to drop, as mandates fall. When worn properly over the nose and mouth, masks have been proven highly effective in preventing COVID-19 from spreading. CCDPH Mitigation Order 2021-6 was issued on March 26, 2021. Until that time, we continue to call for universal masking in indoor public places as part of a layered strategy required to control the spread of the virus. Court Updates | Office of the Illinois Courts say, lifting a mask mandate would. The CDCin May said fully vaccinated people no longer would be required to wear masks in most indoor settings. COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and free. Find out everything you need to know about masking. But we dont need it yet and we dont want to get there.. (contact tracing), Spread Facts Not Flu (flu and germ prevention). Here's what you should know as the mandates are removed. Mask mandate to remain in effect in Circuit Court of Cook County facilitiesReleased On 03/01/2022 The mandate that all persons using Circuit Court of Cook County facilities must wear face coverings will remain in place until further notice, said Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans. He said the courts would only revisit the decision if public health officials drop their recommendation that people continue to wear masks in public indoor settings, or if local transmission rates reach safer levels.. Forest Park, IL 60130. Technically this past week, the city of Chicago stood at 195 new cases per 100,000 residents just below the 200-case threshold. The mandate that all persons using Circuit Court of Cook County facilities must wear face coverings will remain in place until further notice, said Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans. Cook County Poised to Lift Mask Mandate as COVID Cases Decline . I thank you for your continued cooperation as we follow medical professionals recommendations of best practices to keep us all safe during these times, Judge Evans said. Cook County, Chicago mask mandate, proof of vaccine requirement to lift Those four states joined the action challenging the Biden mask and vaccine mandate. Chicago Tribunes Dan Petrella contributed. While the number of confirmed cases of COVID-19 have been rising in Chicago since March 8 approximately a week after city and state officials lifted the mask mandate and vaccine requirement for some businesses the number of people in Chicago hospitals with COVID-19 remain near all-time lows. CCDPH Mitigation Order 2021-04 was issued on February 16, 2021 and updates the Mitigation Guidelines capacities for Social Settings. t 312.346.5700 f 312.896.2500, Copyright 2023 Illinois Policy | Illinois' comeback story starts here. Chicago's top doc sees city COVID risk rising, At Harley-Davidson, a repo shortage is hitting the bottom line, Mayor-elect Brandon Johnson names more appointees to transition subcommittees, Booth, Kellogg top the U.S. News ranking of best MBA programs, Big Fulton Market apartment project moves forward with $125 million loan, New lawsuit over 'brazen' moves in Maple & Ash restaurant feud. At the time, Judge Evans said the CCDPH had advised the court to keep the mask mandate in place until community transmission rates of Covid reach moderate or low levels. Arwady urged residents to take additional precautions while community spread is high, including wearing face coverings indoors, avoiding crowded indoor settings, limiting gathering sizes and getting up to date on COVID-19 vaccines and boosters, which are now recommended for all individuals ages 5 and up five months after the last jab. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. Chicago, Cook County to lift mask, vaccine mandates on Feb. 28 The Biden administration is forecasting another spike in Covid activity this fall and winter, as the weather cools and people congregate more indoors. Copyright Cook County Department of Public Health. During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, several Executive Orders and Recommendations have been issued by the State of Illinois and Governor Pritzker. When worn properly over the nose and mouth, masks have been proven highly effective in preventing COVID-19 from spreading. Dr. Over the past week, the state has averaged 4,376 new cases per day, up from an average of 1,426 daily cases just one month ago. 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. Mayor Lori Lightfoot addresses the news media on Tuesday, Feb. 22, 2022. A federal judge in Florida struck down the . Lisa Chavarria reports. Address :Cook County Department of Public Health Administrative Office, 7556 Jackson Boulevard Illinois will lift its indoor mask mandate beginning in late February, with the exception of schools, should COVID-19 metrics continue to decline, Gov. Separately, Gov. Using the new metrics, Chicago is at low risk, as we knew it would be. Get a Test. Illinois coronavirus: County, Chicago health experts split in risk 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. 130 E. Randolph St. Chicago, Cook County to lift mask mandates and vaccine requirement Feb. 28, lift the citys proof of vaccination requirement. Chicago will drop mask and proof-of-vaccine mandates at the end of the [CDATA[ Cook County moved from a low COVID-19 risk to a medium risk of COVID-19 on May 5. The CDC has issued updated recommendations for any county experiencing substantial or high community transmission of COVID-19. increasing indoor dining capacities to the lesser of 25% or 50 people. According to a release from the chief judges office, Evans received 184 votes from 219 voting judges. Protected by Google ReCAPTCHA. Released On 03/01/2022 The mandate that all persons using Circuit Court of Cook County facilities must wear face coverings will remain in place until further notice, said Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans. JB Pritzker announced plans to lift a statewide indoor mask mandate on Feb. 28, but not for schools.