Mask Mandates End Monday in Chicago and Illinois
NBC Chicago
2/28/2022
© Getty Images
In two highly-awaited moves, both Chicago and Illinois will lift mask mandates and other COVID-19 restrictions Monday following improvements in metrics.
Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker earlier this month announced the statewide mask requirement would end Feb. 28 if COVID metrics continued to decline, including in the days leading up to the anticipated shift.
Last week, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the city would lift its mask mandate the same day - as long as declines in metrics still occurred.
“Based on key data, it looks as if the worst of the Omicron surge is behind us and we will be able to safely remove these emergency measures instituted to protect the health and safety of our residents,” Lightfoot said at a news conference Tuesday.
-
How Ukraine's recapture of key town advances their position
CNN -
South Carolina spared worst of Hurricane Ian
MSNBC -
Hurricane Ian proves the need for climate action
MSNBC -
Ginni Thomas proves Trump’s 'Big Lie' lives on
MSNBC -
Khrushchev's great-granddaughter discusses Putin's 'incredibly insane' speech
CNN -
Hear Bill Nye's message to conservative lawmakers
CNN -
Seven Americans detained in Venezuela released in prisoner exchange
MSNBC -
Fmr. FEMA Director on rebuilding efforts: ‘Everybody is going to receive help’
MSNBC -
Florida county warns of possible levee breach, could cause flooding for 70 homes
MSNBC -
Scott Galloway argues why America is a nation 'adrift' in his new book
CNN -
The politics of disaster relief
CNN -
On GPS: Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Russia's potential use of nuclear weapons
CNN -
Communities of color most at risk from climate change
MSNBC -
Lt. Gen Russel Honore: Leaders Must Convince Some FL Residents to Move
MSNBC -
FEMA: “Laser-focused” in FL after “storm of really epic proportions”
MSNBC -
Suicide bomb attack kills and wounds dozens of students taking exam
CNN
-
How Ukraine's recapture of key town advances their position Retired Air Force Col. Cedric Leighton explains the significance of Russian forces retreating from Lyman, a strategic city for its operations in the east.
CNN
-
South Carolina spared worst of Hurricane Ian NBC News' Shaquille Brewster reports from Charleston as cleanup and recovery efforts begins after Hurricane Ian blew through South Carolina as a Category 1 storm.
MSNBC
-
Hurricane Ian proves the need for climate action Americans needs real solutions to address global warming as climate change continues to fuel extreme weather events like Hurricane Ian. MSNBC Political Analyst David Jolly joined American Voices with guest host Julián Castro to discuss the government’s role in seeking solutions to fight the climate crisis.
Along with rescinding its mask requirement, Chicago will also end its vaccination card mandate, which required people to show proof of vaccination to enter restaurants, entertainment venues, gyms and other facilities throughout the city.
The state of Illinois will lift its mask mandate for schools, but some districts may implement their own policies.
While Pritzker previously said the order requiring masks in schools wouldn't end Feb. 28, he reversed course Friday. The governor announced the change after the Illinois Supreme Court denied his appeal of a restraining order in a lawsuit challenging the mandate.
However, in explaining his reason for the change, Pritzker cited the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's updated guidance recommending masks only in areas of high transmission.
The changes announced by the CDC revealed more than 70% of Americans can safely remove face coverings indoors.
However, some requirements may remain in place - whether ones instituted by private businesses, the federal government or local jurisdictions.
According to federal guidance, masks will continue to be required on public transportation and indoors in airports, train stations and bus stations.
NBC Chicago
