Remember: Per federal mandate, everyone must wear masks while on a CTA bus, train or station, even if you're vaccinated. All Federal employees, onsite contractors, and visitors, regardless of vaccination status, must wear a high-quality mask inside of Federal buildings in areas where the COVID-19 community level is high, or where required by local mask mandates, as further explained below. COOK COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH STATEMENT ON COVID MANDATES. JB Pritzker announced plans to lift a statewide indoor mask mandate on Feb. 28, but not for schools. Even as mask mandates come to an end in Illinois, Chicago and Cook County, there will still be some requirements in place. Published February 14, 2022 Updated on February 14, 2022 at 1:38 pm. 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. 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, Ebola Information for Healthcare Organizations, Be Aware. (In Chicago, 4% of staffed hospital beds are in use by COVID-19 patients, according to CDPH data.) and Terms of Service apply. Technically this past week, the city of Chicago stood at 195 new cases per 100,000 residents just below the 200-case threshold. However, masks are still required for everyone in healthcare settings, in congregate settings and on transit. Get Prepared. Contact Heather Cherone:@HeatherCherone| (773) 569-1863 |[emailprotected]. Some European Countries Are Scrapping All Covid Rules Despite Scientists Warning It's Too Soon, 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? 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. (emergency preparedness), Don't Guess. Answer Call. One of them is wearing a mask. Gov. Since the Illinois Supreme Courts order, however, Judge Evans has steadfastly refused to relax the mask requirements in any way. Address :Cook County Department of Public Health Administrative Office, 7556 Jackson Boulevard Now, Pritzker said hes watching hospitalizations. The Mitigation Orders can be seen below: CCDPH Mitigation Order 2022-1 CCDPH Mitigation Order 2021-11 CCDPH Mitigation Order 2021-10 CCDPH Mitigation Order 2021-9 CCDPH Mitigation Order 2021-8 Lightfoot said the announced end of the mandates on Feb. 28 doesn't have to do with a lawsuit challenging the vaccine mandates for . Cook County this week has 51 cases per 100,000 people, up 78 percent from the prior 7-day period, CDC data shows. The city's mask and vaccine card mandates . Air travelers with and without face masks use a moving walkway toward their gates at Midway International Airport in Chicago on April 19, 2022. 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 a press conference with Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Dr . That means there is high community spread and high potential for healthcare system strain, federal officials warned. CCDPH continues to recommend masking with a well-fitting high-quality mask, such as a KN95 or N95 respirator, for those who are considered at high risk for severe COVID-19 illness (or live or work with high risk individuals) when they are in public indoor spaces or other places where individuals near them may be unvaccinated. 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. Chicagos public health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady made the advisory after the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention deemed Cook County is now in the medium risk level for community transmission. According to a release from the chief judges office, Evans received 184 votes from 219 voting judges. Ebola Information for Healthcare Organizations, Be Aware. For more information, click the links below: CCDPH Mitigation Order 2021-10 was issued on August 23, 2021 and requires individuals age 2 and older to wear masks in indoor public settings, regardless of vaccination status. A spokesperson for the Cook County Chief Judges office did not reply to questions about the continued mask mandate, including whether there has been any discussion among the Cook Countys circuit judges concerning lifting the mandate. t 312.346.5700 f 312.896.2500, Copyright 2023 Illinois Policy | Illinois' comeback story starts here. On December 23, 2021, Cook County, Illinois, issued Public Health Order No. In late February 2022, the Illinois Supreme Court issued an order, removing indoor mask mandates for that court and state appellate courts. 2021-11, joining the City of Chicago in requiring certain indoor establishments (including restaurants, gyms and. Click here to get the full experience on your screen. Region 10, Suburban Cook County, has had . What Will the End of the COVID-19 Pandemic Be Like? Address :Cook County Department of Public Health Administrative Office, 7556 Jackson Boulevard 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. Get the best business coverage in Chicago, from breaking news to razor-sharp analysis, in print and online. Immediately after the Supreme Court changed its standing order, however, chief judges in circuit courts throughout the rest of the state moved to rescind and rewrite their masking orders, to align with the new requirements from the state high court. During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, several Executive Orders and Recommendations have been issued by the State of Illinois and Governor Pritzker. 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. You may be wondering what this means for you in terms of access to vaccines, testing, and therapeutics. Statewide, health officials on Friday reported 7,709 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19, a level not seen since early February. Businesses will be allowed to drop. Masks are optional for all Village employees and all visitors to all Village-owned facilities. Get a Test. Dr. Last month, Arwady suggested a medium level designation could lead to a reinstated mask mandate at CPS, but this week she said only at high risk will any form of a mask requirement be put in place. School districts, too, may decide to implement their own mask mandates. A federal judge in Florida struck down the . Federal courts are not subject to the orders issued by the Illinois Supreme Court. Hospital admissions mirror this decline through the end of January. In each of the past two winters of 2020-2021 and 2021-2022, the state has recorded significant Covid activity surges, first from the so-called Delta variant and then from the so-called Omicron variant. Testing can give you information about your risk of spreading COVID-19. Here's what you should know as the mandates are removed. Pritzker said that mandate could be lifted in the coming weeks if rates continue their downward trajectory. Those at high risk for severe illness from a COVID-19 infection include those older than 50, those with underlying medical conditions and the immunocompromised, health officials said. Copyright Cook County Department of Public Health. Hospitalizations and deaths have also decreased by nearly half during that time. Executive Order 2021-10(HTML) English; . 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. In Lake County and most of suburban Cook County, the diocese wrote that masks will be optional beginning Thursday. 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. When worn properly over the nose and mouth, masks have been proven highly effective in preventing COVID-19 from spreading. The statewide mask mandate will end 12:01 a.m. Monday, the Governor's Office confirmed Friday. The Executive Orders can be viewed here. Answer Call. Illinois will lift its indoor mask mandate beginning in late February, with the exception of schools, should COVID-19 metrics continue to decline, Gov. Vaccines continue to protect people from severe disease and death from COVID-19. Download this 11X17 poster for your workplace, business, college or university, apartment building, condo or home. Share. Before that, Evans served as a Chicago city alderman for 18 years. Stay safe out there and be sure to do your part to protect yourself and those around you. DAYCARE CENTER STAFF VACCINE MANDATE - Daycare center staff statewide are required to receive the COVID-19 vaccine if they have not done so already. comeback Healthcare facilities including hospitals, clinics and long-term care facilities should continue masking in accordance with the Illinois Department of Public Health and CDC guidance. Take Action. (Patty Wetli / WTTW News). 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. EMBED <> More Videos (contact tracing), Spread Facts Not Flu (flu and germ prevention). To find a vaccination location near you, please visit vaccines.gov or CCDPHs calendar of vaccine events. School masking may continue to be required for all school staff, and for all students not named in the current suit. Get Prepared. in a current lawsuit regarding the state's COVID mitigations in schools. 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. The CDC has issued updated recommendations for any county experiencing substantial or high community transmission of COVID-19. Find out everything you need to know about masking. The Cook County Sheriffs Office has notified the court that detainees being brought to court will continue to be masked. 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. ###. COVID-19 vaccines are safe, effective, and free. According to the CDC, 3.5%of staffed hospital beds in Cook County are in use by COVID-19 patients on average during the past seven days. There are things we can do to protect ourselves and others from getting COVID-19. J.B. Pritzkers office on Thursday announced that face coverings are now required in all state facilities, regardless of vaccination status, to protect employees. As of February 28, 2022: Masks are no longer required indoors and at businesses in Illinois and Cook County - including Niles. Under that courts new orders, employees and visitors to the federal districts courthouses in Chicago and Rockford are now encouraged, but not required, to wear a face covering. The mask mandate, however, would still apply to jurors and anyone participating in a jury trial. Witnesses testifying and attorneys questioning witnesses are also excused from the mask mandate. The number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19, while still relatively low, also is increasing statewide. Chicago's mask and vaccination requirements will end on Monday, February 28, the same day the state mask mandate is lifted, Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced yesterday.Suburban Cook County will . Individuals in schools, day care settings, and educational institutions should continue to guidance issued by those departments. That strain is measured by the number of new COVID-19 hospital admissions per 100,000 residents during a seven-day period and the percent of staffed hospital beds in use by COVID-19 patients on average during the past seven days. Since then, the Illinois Department of Public Health has at times moved Cook Countys Covid risk level between low and high several times. Metra also issued an alert to riders Monday morning. Rubin continues to recommend masking in all court facilities, Evans wrote in the recent memo. Masks would be urged for all residents in indoor public spaces in counties that rise to the high risk level. Illinois also announced the state will widely align with the new CDC guidance, as well as remove the school mask mandate starting Monday. During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, several Mitigation Orders and Recommendations have been issued by the Cook County Department of Public Health. Deaths have remained low, with the state averaging seven per day over the past week, including seven reported Friday. Those four states joined the action challenging the Biden mask and vaccine mandate. When worn properly over the nose and mouth, masks have been proven highly effective in preventing COVID-19 from spreading. Cook County this week has 51 cases per 100,000 people, up 78 percent from the prior 7-day period, CDC data shows. 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.. 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. Will be used in accordance with our terms of service & privacy policy. February 10, 2022 Chicago and Cook County health officials announced plans to revoke pandemic masking and vaccination entry requirements by Feb. 28, the day Illinois' statewide mask. Chicago Office | Illinois Policy This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy Mask rules are changing yet again, this time on public transit. During the course of the COVID-19 pandemic, several Mitigation Orders and Recommendations have been issued by the Cook County Department of Public Health. Ebola Information for Healthcare Organizations, Be Aware. 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. Governors in other Democratic states in recent days have announced plans to make. A federal judge, for instance, recently issued a permanent injunction covering 24 states barring the Biden administration from continuing to mandate preschool children wear masks under the Head Start program. 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. 130 E. Randolph St. Follow the court on Twitter@CookCntyCourt 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. One of Cook County's top doctors says she doesn't expect the county to hit that . Generally speaking, however, young healthy people in their 20s with strong immune systems tend to fare quite well. Cook County's courts continue to stand alone in the region in requiring everyone who enters courthouses to wear masks, and has done so since early 2022. #mc_embed_signup{background:#fff; clear:left;width:100%;font-weight:normal;}, Beyond Chicago from the Air with Geoffrey Baer, Medicaid Renewal Process Starts as Illinois Officials Urge Residents to Return Information, Additional COVID-19 Boosters Cleared for Older Adults, Immunocompromised People, Chicago Faces $85M Budget Shortfall in 2024, Says Lightfoot While Defending Her Financial Legacy, Why Are Teen Girls in Crisis? CCDPH Mitigation Order 2021-3 was issued on February 10, 2021 and updates the Mitigation Guidelines capacities for Social Settings. Staying up-to-date with all COVID-19 vaccinations and boosters. The city also has had a mask mandate for indoor settings. The number of people who have died from COVID-19 has never been lower, according to data from the Chicago Department of Public Health. DuPage is at about 59, McHenry is at about 58 and Will is at almost 73. . Look for #MASKUP Cook County posters in barber and beauty shops, gas stations, corner stores and other public places in communities most affected by COVID-19. In Cook County, . There are some very simple, yet effective things each of us can do to make a big difference in the fight against COVID-19. 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. Those at greater risk for severe outcomes from COVID should exercise caution, and everyone should make sure they are up to date on their vaccinations, she said. Thank you for continuing to protect yourself and others onboard Metra. All Rights Reserved. Among Illinois neighbors, the order would apply to preschools and other Head Start facilities in Indiana, Missouri, Iowa and Kentucky, but not Illinois. This isnt forever, but it is necessary to help decrease the risk for all Chicagoans right now.. J.B. Pritzker and Dr. Ngozi Ezike announced Wednesday. CCDPH Mitigation Order 2021-04 was issued on February 16, 2021 and updates the Mitigation Guidelines capacities for Social Settings. Wearing a mask around others indoors helps protect yourself and those around you, which is especially important for people who are immunocompromised, who are at-risk for complications from COVID, or who are unvaccinated by choice or because they are too young. CPS case numbers have been rising since students returned from spring break last month. 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. Copyright 2023 NBCUniversal Media, LLC. (contact tracing), Spread Facts Not Flu (flu and germ prevention). People in Cook County are once again being urged to mask up. Hitting more than 400 new cases per day would put the city in the high risk category. Stay at least 6 feet away from others who do not live in your household, whether outdoors or indoors. Community billboards called wild postings are being installed on the sides of buildings in communities most affected by COVID-19. 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. However, the governor did not offer any specific threshold for COIVD-19 metrics to rescind his executive order for schools. In late February 2022, the Illinois Supreme Court issued an order, removing indoor mask mandates for that court and state appellate courts. However, Judge Evans said Rubin indicates that relaxing the policy might be warranted following and (sic) anticipated surge in COVID infections over the winter.. Here's What We Know So Far. All Rights Reserved. The Cook County Sheriffs Office has notified the court that detainees being brought to court will continue to be masked. Illinois, Cook County and Chicago mask mandates and other COVID-19 regulations before restrictions will be widely lifted Monday. 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. Consider using a self-test before joining indoor gatherings with others who are not in your household. (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. Based on the current CDC guidance, CCDPH recommends: No CCDPH-issued requirements for mitigation strategies in addition to current state or federal mandates are currently in effect for suburban Cook County. CCDPH Mitigation Order 2021-01 was issued on February 2, 2021 initiates Phase 4 Mitigation Guidance. The order would also still allow judges to order masks be worn in their courtrooms. Chicago, Cook County to lift mask mandates and vaccine requirement Feb. 28, lift the citys proof of vaccination requirement. window.__mirage2 = {petok:"XyjEMcN0YUqhjJR0vKFOD2l_jbHFDr5H6e_rxsmaLxg-1800-0"}; (emergency preparedness), Don't Guess. In addition to Cook County, all five collar counties and eight others in northern and central Illinois are now at medium level, where older residents and those with compromised immune systems are encouraged to wear masks indoors. By Sarah Jacoby. Forest Park, IL 60130. 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 . This includes in workplaces and schools. Saved Stories Save . Chicago health officials announced Friday that indoor masking is once again strongly recommended but not required in the city as the risk of contracting COVID-19 in Cook County has increased. 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. The Biden administration is forecasting another spike in Covid activity this fall and winter, as the weather cools and people congregate more indoors. Illinois Following the guidance, Gov. Masks Still Recommended in Cook County K-12 Schools Following Court Ruling Even though an Illinois appellate court ruling dismissed Gov. Please email CCDPH Communications for details. Cook County Poised to Lift Mask Mandate as COVID Cases Decline . The designation of Cook County being in the low level comes as Illinois and Chicago prepare to lift their respective mask mandates. Feb. 28, 2022, 12:34 PM PST / Updated April 21, 2022, 6:15 AM PDT. Under the federal agencys recommendation, areas of substantial transmission are those with 50 to 99 cases per 100,000 people over a 7-day period, whileareas of high transmission are those with more than 100 cases per 100,000. Evans was recently reelected to serve another three years as the chief judge of the Cook County courts, the states largest circuit court.