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. Masks are also now optional for attendees. 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. At the moment, the latest COVID-19 surge seems to have peaked in Chicago. If the federal measure ends, the legal battle over New York's state mandate will determine if the shots are required of health . It does not apply to visitors. Block Club Chicago is a nonprofit news organization dedicated to delivering reliable, nonpartisan and essential coverage of Chicagos diverse neighborhoods. 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. The citys positivity rate was 1.5%. She joined LX News to talk about mask restrictions and what loosening them could mean for the nation. In Illinois, about 8 million people or 63.18 percent of the states 12.7 million people are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, according to state data. All Rights Reserved. JB Pritzker . A few months ago they said they didnt know who I was. City data shows more than 1.8 million Chicagoans or 68.2 percent of all residents are fully vaccinated, and 76.1 percent of all Chicagoans have gotten at least one shot. The home popcorn will be available in select Walmart stores on March 11, the day before the 95th Academy Awards. "We are almost down to these lower risk levels," the doctor explained, in part. 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. But if we're talking about a week difference, for example, we might extend it. newsletter, 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, 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. Masks will still be required on public transportation, in healthcare settings, and in certain school districts, including the Chicago Public Schools. "We got to see the day to get there. U.S. Rep. Jesus Chuy Garcia was the only Latino in the race. An official website of the City of Chicago. But Arwady noted that the full two-week period may not be reached before the lifting begins. Chicago workers can pay for tests instead of getting COVID-19 vaccine until the end of the year By Claudia Morell. But Chicago Public Schools is a notable exception and will continue to require masking. 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. 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. We will make Chicago the safest city in America, Vallas said. 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. But some contend it's time to stop now, citing fewer severe COVID-19 cases, health care staffing shortages and the impending May 11 expiration of a national public health emergency that has been in place since January 2020. He also said he wasnt responsible for the liked tweets, which he called abhorrent, and suggested someone had improperly accessed his account. A formal announcement regarding changes to the mask and vaccine proof requirements will be made next week, the health official stated. Arwady: Our cases remain in high transmission, but we're getting very close to substantial territory. The show requires its chef contestants to create meals from a selection of mystery ingredients. Chicago is currently at high, the top of the scale. At least 32,072 people have died from COVID-19 in Illinois, and another 3,985 deaths are probably related to the virus, according to the state. "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. Deaths were down 51 % over the last week from 9.7 last week to 4.7. "Open it up now. " Also, some venues may continue to impose their own mitigation efforts to keep their clients and customers safe. "If it is not the 28th it won't be long after would be my expectation," she explained. Its reporting an average of 431 per day. JB Pritzker set for state. CHICAGO The city's mask and vaccine card mandates will end Monday. We will have a safe Chicago. Columbia University Provost Mary Boyce announced last week that the COVID-19 vaccine mandate "will no longer be in effect" starting on May 11, in a memo to students, faculty and staff. City Council Office of Financial Analysis, Community Commission for Public Safety & Accountability, General Inquiries: healthychicago@cityofchicago.org, Media Inquiries: media.cdph@cityofchicago.org, FOIA Requests: CDPHFOIA@cityofchicago.org, Feb 8, 2023 - City to Host Final COVID-19/Flu Family Vaccination Clinic of Season at Truman College on Saturday, Feb 3, 2023 - CDPH COVID-19 Update: Cook County and Chicago Remain in Low COVID-19 Community Level, Jan 30, 2023 - City of Chicago Announces Expansion of Alternative 911 Response Program, Jan 27, 2023 - CDPH COVID-19 Update: Cook County and Chicago Drop to Low COVID-19 Community Level, Jan 20, 2023 - CDPH COVID-19 Update: Cook County and Chicago Remain at Medium COVID-19 Community Level, City to Remove Mask and Vaccine Requirements for Certain Public Settings on February 28 in Response to Continued Improvement in COVID-19 Metrics. Rita DiPietro, who lives downtown, said she supported Lightfoot in 2019. The city's end to its mandates will line up with the state, which plans to lift its own mask mandate Monday. But COVID numbers in the city are plunging; daily cases have fallen 95% from their peak in late December. ", "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. Sources Cited. Plus, local breweries raise thousands of dollars for Twisted Hippo after a devastating fire in Albany Park. Chicagos mask and vaccination requirements will end on Monday, February 28, the same day the state mask mandate is lifted, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced yesterday. The figure represents the percentage of people testing positive among recent tests. 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. See How All 50 Wards Voted in the 2023 Chicago Mayoral Election, All Eyes On a Strong' System That Could Hit Chicago Area Friday, But Much Uncertainty Remains, Who is Brandon Johnson? ICU beds: Chicago must have an average of 99 or fewer ICU beds occupied by COVID-19 patients per day. Email Newsroom@BlockClubChi.org. 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. "We are now seeing the fastest rate of decline in our COVID-19 hospitalization metrics since the pandemic began," Pritzker said. CHICAGO (WLS) -- Chicago health officials said they anticipate that the city's proof of vaccine requirement and indoor mask mandate will lift around the same time as the state's. 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. Learn more atLearn more at Chicago.gov/COVIDVax. The stakes of the appeals court proceedings has been heightened recently as other states and some health providers ramped up pressure on federal officials to end a national COVID-19 vaccine mandate for medical workers. Cook Countys public health department, which covers most of the countys suburbs, announced it would follow suit, lifting its general mask mandate and proof-of-vaccine requirement on Monday, as well as its requirement that employees of establishments such as restaurants and gyms be vaccinated or submit to weekly COVID-19 testing. 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. Thanks for subscribing to Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. When you get a party of five or six that comes in, three or four might have the vaccine and a couple dont. Lightfoot resisted proof-of-vaccine mandates until Jan. 3, long after other cities such as New York had implemented similar policies. COVID-19 lab-confirmed cases (now 283 cases per day in Chicago) remain just above the historic lower risk range but this is offset by the much higher testing and very low-test positivity. The former teacher and union organizer has argued that the answer to addressing crime is not more money for police but more investment in mental health care, education, jobs and affordable housing, and he was accused by rivals such as Lightfoot of wanting to defund the police. Clickhereto support Block Clubwith atax-deductible donation. The seven-day rolling averages for each category need to be at a "lower transmission" level, which is set by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Proof of vaccination would no longer be required for patrons of restaurants, bars and gyms, along with the indoor mask mandates applying to those spaces in the city. 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. Johnson on Tuesday night noted the improbability that he would make the runoff, considering his low name recognition at the start of the race. Its reporting an average of 115 per day. The candidates all talk about what theyd like to do, she said. 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. Mayors Press Office press@cityofchicago.org. Please be kind and considerate of your fellow Chicagoans and the decisions we all continue to make to protect themselves and those around them.. Then, a party of five leaves because all five of em do not have the vaccine. Its been a tough January and February for restaurant operators, he said. Phone: 419-352-4611 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. Please enter a valid email and try again. Regardless of tonights outcome, we fought the right fights and we put this city on a better path, Lightfoot said. 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. He knows how hes going to do it.. 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. 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. "Certainly if the difference is a matter of a few days between where the city is and where the state is recommending, I would expect we would go along with that, but we need to see these metrics be in blue or green," Dr. Arwady said. Asked if she was treated unfairly because of her race and gender, Lightfoot said: Im a black woman in America. While Chicago lifted its mask mandate Monday, is the proof of COVID-19 vaccination requirement removed now, as well? Lindsey Hegarty, a 30-year-old paralegal who lives on Chicagos North Side, said she backed Johnson because he seemed like the most progressive candidate on issues like policing, mental health and public transit. Noting that she caught a mild case of COVID-19, Lightfoot said she intends to continue wearing a mask, particularly in restaurants where diners will soon have no idea whether other customers are vaccinated. All rights reserved. Similarly, hospitalization rates are a fraction of what they were at the height of the omicron surge, when more people were admitted to hospitals than at any time during pandemic most unvaccinated, she said. Its had a total of 553,812 confirmed cases. 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. That brings the total number of confirmed cases in Illinois up to 3,004,664. 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. 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. An average of 431 confirmed cases are being reported per day, down 30 percent from a week ago. 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. The ruling is the latest chapter in McDonalds long legal saga regarding claims of racial discrimination. In a nod to his campaign promise to combat crime, he said that, if elected, he would work to address public safety issues. But rather than risk yet another confrontation with the Chicago Teachers Union and with vaccination rates varying dramatically between school communities Lightfoot and CPS CEO Pedro Martinez said they will abide by the agreement struck with CTU that ended a dispute that canceled classes for five days last month. This guy actually has a plan. We really dont know.. As of Tuesday, Chicagos average daily case rate was 283 down 37% from the 452 cases-a-day just one week ago. 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. Vaccines protect you and the people around you, reducing the spread of COVID-19. Associated Press writers Claire Savage and Teresa Crawford in Chicago contributed to this report. Undaunted, the chain plans to refile this month. At Charbella Salon in Lakeview, customers wore masks while getting their hair done, as did their stylist. Its important for us to recognize this moment for what it is: a huge step forward in our effort to overcome COVID-19, Lightfoot said. JB Pritzker's Illinois mask mandate to end Feb. 28 By Rob Elgas and. 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. It wouldnt be worth confusing residents to continue the mandates, so long as Chicago has hit at least three of its goals and numbers are declining, she said. But there are less than two weeks to go before Feb. 28 and Chicagos only hit one of its goals so far. City officials say that once three of the preceding four metrics hit the lower transmission level, that will start a two-week clock, known as an incubation cycle.. SAG-AFTRA president and The Nanny actress Fran Drescher urged Hollywood to end its vaccine mandates in her opening remarks at the 2023 Screen Actors Guild Awards ceremony on Sunday (Feb. 26 . 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. Vallas, a former schools CEO backed by the police union, and Johnson, a Cook . That is their right. 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. Restaurant operators, he said official stated, which he called abhorrent, and in certain districts... To end Feb. 28 and Chicagos only hit one of its goals so far last week 9.7. The chain plans to refile this month occupied By COVID-19 patients per,... 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