Mask Mandates End Monday in Chicago and Illinois

© 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.

CDC Says Most Americans Can Shed Masks While Indoors

NBC Chicago See more videos

SHARE

SHARE

TWEET

SHARE

EMAIL

What to watch next

• 

  Ian becomes Category 1 hurricane

  
  CBS News
• 

  January 6 committee returns this week with another public hearing

  
  CBS News
• 

  Jan. 6 hearings: Your guide to the missing pieces

  
  CNN
• 

  Viral video appears to show mob of teenagers robbing a Wawa

  
  TODAY
• 

  Italy elects hard-right coalition led by first female prime minister

  
  TODAY
• 

  Former advisor: Someone in White House called a rioter on Jan. 6

  
  TODAY
• 

  Sound could help to avert human-elephant conflict in India

  
  CNN
• 

  Police in Russia crackdown on protests over draft, arrest hundreds

  
  TODAY
• 

  Curious Black Bear Chews on Hunter's Shoe

  
  BuzzVideos
• 

  Florida under state of emergency as Hurricane Ian takes aim

  
  TODAY
• 

  Video shows Russian police pushing protesters as opposition grows

  
  CNN
• 

  Trump WH and rioter had call during Jan. 6 attack, according to new book

  
  MSNBC
• 

  Donald Trump Reportedly Called Ron DeSantis 'Fat,' 'Phony,' and 'Whiny' and May Have Let Slip He’ll Run Against Him in 2024

  
  Veuer
• 

  Rep. Cheney will do 'whatever it takes' to keep Trump from the WH

  
  MSNBC
• 

  Italy elects most far-right government since WWII

  
  CNN
• 

  Why CEOs From Coca-Cola to Hershey Are Talking About ‘Price Elasticity’

  
  The Wall Street Journal.

Click to expand

Replay Video

• Ian becomes Category 1 hurricane Residents in Florida prepare for Hurricane Ian. This comes as those in eastern Canada recover from Hurricane Fiona. Omar Villafranca has the latest. CBS News
• January 6 committee returns this week with another public hearing The House Jan. 6 committee will hold its next public hearing on Wednesday. It will be the final public hearing and comes after former Republican Congressman Denver Riggleman's interview with "60 Minutes." Scott MacFarlane has more. CBS News
• Jan. 6 hearings: Your guide to the missing pieces CNN Senior Legal Analyst Elie Honig breaks down what to watch for in the upcoming January 6 hearing, and why the missing pieces of the investigation are so important CNN

UP NEXT

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.