J.B. Pritzkers COVID vaccine mandate, Merrillville food and beverage tax edging closer to reality, Remains found in Rockdale more than 25 years ago identified as Aurora woman, How the Chicago Cubs are handling the spring workloads for pitchers Brandon Hughes and Keegan Thompson, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. "We are still living in a pandemic.". 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. Five states were added to the city's list, along with Puerto Rico Tuesday, officials announced. If there is an indication for earlier vaccination (between ages 10 and 11) then the provider submits, a letter/statement stating the reasons and provides that with the vaccine records (Section 665.280). I have not been this concerned about COVID-19 since the early days of the pandemic in 2020, she said. Restaurant Vaccine Mandates Were Set Up to Fail - The Atlantic date of illness signed by a physician; or, a health care provider's interpretation that a parent's or legal guardian's description of varicella disease history is indicative of past infection; or, laboratory evidence of varicella immunity, For Men ACWY vaccines may be administered simultaneously with Men B vaccines if indicated, but at a different anatomic site, if feasible. But for those who will be ditching their masks, health officials offered this advice. Kelly Bauer 8:24 AM CST on Feb 9, 2022 With COVID cases rising across the U.S. and the holiday travel rush already underway, Chicago's travel advisory has been updated once again, with a total of 47 states and two territories now on the city's warning list days before Christmas. CHICAGO (WLS) -- The state of Illinois along with Chicago officially lifted their indoor mask mandates, with the city also ending its proof of vaccination requirement. If a child is delinquent for a scheduled appointment for immunization, he or she is no longer considered to be in compliance. Some venues said they will keep their requirements for now. When in municipalities, like cities or counties, that have mask mandates. J.B. Pritzker said Wednesday before the Supreme Court ruling. As of Monday, Chicagoans will no longer be required to show proof of coronavirus vaccination in most indoor spaces, although there are some exceptions. 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. Jaline Gerardin, an assistant professor of preventive medicine at Northwestern University who works on virus modeling, expressed skepticism at the latest changes to Pritzkers COVID-19 protocols. At the state board meeting, some teachers pushed back against the proposed rule that would solidify Pritzker's mandate. Beginning Jan. 3, anyone age 5 and older will be required to show proof of full vaccination to dine inside or visit gyms or entertainment venues where food and drinks are being served. Chicago's top doctor said that while we are still learning about the variant and research continues to develop, an early look at the latest data has led to some findings so far. McNeill also echoed the concerns of some business owners who worry that customers will take out their frustration on the new rules on employees who are trying to do their jobs. If these trends continue, and we expect on Monday, Feb. 28, we will lift the indoor mask requirement for the state of Illinois.. The system is sending surveys to parents to get feedback before lifting their mask mandate. How long are you contagious, what are the quarantine guidelines and when can you see people again? An average of 561 confirmed cases are being reported per day, down 47 percent from a week ago. This isnt an end to the pandemic. A group called "The People's Response Network to COVID-19" held a rally outside of city hall- they are worried over a possible new subvariant of omicron and say they believe the mask mandates are being lifted prematurely. Medical assistant Juanita Hall administers a booster injection to Dave Jordan at Harlan High School in Chicago on May 11, 2022. doctors have urged a renewed sense of vigilance, Colleges, students respond to end of Gov. But is one performing better than the other? After clinical trials with children were completed, kids as young as 5 years old can now get the life-saving vaccine. You have permission to edit this article. Thanks for subscribing to Block Club Chicago, an independent, 501(c)(3), journalist-run newsroom. "I care about protecting other people. JB Pritzker at Navy Pier Monday. While 99.9% of the COVID cases are of delta variant as of now, she predicted that the omicron variant will soon spread quickly based on the studies from other countries. Between 2nd and 3rd must be at least 8 weeks. Letter/statement to be honored by School Health Authorities and NOT submitted to IDPH for Review. . Proof of prior or current infection, if verified by laboratory evidence, may be substituted for proof of vaccination. Minimum interval between series doses: 4 weeks (28 days). Executive Orders - Illinois All rights reserved, required to show proof of full vaccination, a vaccine mandate for certain indoor spaces, will require proof of vaccination for many indoor public spaces, seven days of their entry into the building, Here's a look at the guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Data From South Africa Indicate Omicron Is Milder, But Better at Evading Vaccines, Pfizer Says COVID Pill 89% Effective Against Severe Disease, Potent Versus Omicron, New Ranking Names Most Expensive Cities In Illinois and These Chicago Suburbs Top the List, Body of Missing Genoa Man Recovered From River: Authorities, These Starved Rock Tiny Cabins Are Perfect For a Weekend Getaway, Buc-ee's, a Texas-Based Convenience Store Chain, Proposes First Wisconsin Location. What should you do if you or someone you have been in close contact with tests positive for coronavirus? Review the CDC vaccination schedules for infants and children, preteens and teens, and adults found under Resources. Hospital admissions mirror this decline through the end of January. Public transportation, including buses, trains and airplanes. Have you experienced a swollen lymph node in the arm where you received your COVID vaccine or booster shot? In addition, students entering, transferring, or advancing into kindergarten, 6th, or 9th grades are required to show proof of receipt of 2 doses of varicella vaccine. Beginning in early January, all patrons at restaurants, gyms or entertainment venues where food is served will be required to show a proof of COVID vaccination, or of a negative COVID test withinseven days of their entry into the building. comeback Brendan McNeill, owner of D4 Irish Pub and Caf, says that the new rules, while understandable, are going to pose a challenge to businesses that are already struggling with adequate staffing. Chicago's Not On Track To End Mask, Vaccine Card Mandates When State All rights reserved, Illinois Secretary of State's Office Offers REAL IDs at World of Wheels This Weekend, Hundreds Attend Prayer Vigil for Slain Chicago Police Officer Andres Vasquez-Lasso, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention updated its masking guidance Friday, New Ranking Names Most Expensive Cities In Illinois and These Chicago Suburbs Top the List, Body of Missing Genoa Man Recovered From River: Authorities, These Starved Rock Tiny Cabins Are Perfect For a Weekend Getaway, Buc-ee's, a Texas-Based Convenience Store Chain, Proposes First Wisconsin Location. Two doses of varicella; The first dose must have been on or after the 1st birthday and the 2nd dose no less than 4 weeks (28) days later. story We appreciate the measures that the governor has taken to support safe learning and working environments for our students to achieve their educational and career goals, President Avis Proctor said in a statement. About 91% of CPS staff members are fully vaccinated against COVID-19, the district said, along with more than 54% of the eligible student population. This content has been removed, and is no longer available. January 10, 2022 08:00 AM Effective immediately, new rules filed by the Illinois Department of Labor on Friday adopt federal vaccine and testing mandates on employers of more than 100. In a Facebook post Wednesday, DeVore claimed some credit for Pritzkers changes. Two doses of rubella vaccine, the first dose must have been received on or after the 1st birthday and the second dose no less than 4 weeks (28 days) later. Many of the legal challenges to the rules were filed by attorney Thomas DeVore, who is now the Republican nominee for attorney general, though all of those lawsuits have ultimately been unsuccessful. People walk by the Walter Athletics Center at Northwestern University on July 14, 2022, in Evanston. Pritzker said that mandate could be lifted in the coming weeks if rates continue their downward trajectory. Testing in Chicago is down 17 percent from a week ago. 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. Some Illinois teachers push back against COVID vaccine mandate "Hospitalizations are way down, cases are way down, and we hope that we can sustain that for the spring and summer and, frankly, forever more," said Gov. Now all city employees, including police officers, must be vaccinated. (Pritzkers) leadership ensured that we ended the last school year with a successful vaccination model, which sets us up for the upcoming school year so we can keep our school buildings open and everyone in them healthy.. Businesses, cities, counties and other entities can still enforce their own mask mandates. (The Center Square) - Effective immediately, new rules filed by the Illinois Department of Labor adopt federal vaccine and testing mandates on employers of more than 100 employees. The governor cautioned Illinoisans keep masks handy to comply with these lingering mandates and others set forth by local jurisdictions and businesses. Illinois teachers currently face mandated COVID-19 testing if unvaccinated. JB Pritzker announced last week Illinois' statewide mask mandate is set to end Feb. 28, so long as the state's COVID-19 metrics continue to fall. Federal health officials this week unveiled a strategy for attempting to manage the highly transmissible omicron subvariants that now make up the majority of cases nationally and doctors have urged a renewed sense of vigilance. Chicago Office | Illinois Policy Navy Pier is offering free rides on the Centennial Wheel to celebrate the lifting of the mask mandate. 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. Live vaccines shall not be given fewer than 28 days after receipt of a prior live vaccine. Madden said what Noble has done is make decisions based on the latest information, healthcare providers, experts and families. A safe and effective COVID-19 vaccine is a critical component of the U.S. strategy to reduce COVID-19-related illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths. 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 mandate. Sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, and 9 of Executive Order 2021-22, as amended by Executive Order 2021-23, Executive Order 2021-27, Executive Order 2022-01, and Executive Order 2022-05 are re-issued and extended through June 25, 2022. Beginning Jan. 3, anyone age 5 and older will berequired to show proof of full vaccinationto dine inside or visit gyms or entertainment venues where food and drinks are being served, joining other big cities like New York and Los Angeles in adding the requirement. In all, 52,372,521 tests have been reported in Illinois. THE CENTER SQUARE: PRITZKER IMPOSES :Biden:'S VACCINE MANDATE ON J.B. Pritzker is ending Illinois' COVID-19 vaccine mandate for college students and faculty and easing some testing requirements for unvaccinated health care workers, changes that come. National teachers union pushes mandatory masking, vaccines, Chicago cops must get COVID-19 shots, arbitrator rules, Lightfoot vaccine deadline could trigger city worker firings, Illinois teachers push back on COVID-19 vax mandate, Chicagos COVID-19 rules hit minority neighborhood restaurants harder, High school parents sue to block Pritzker COVID-19 vax mandates, St. Charles City Council rejects vaccine mandate, Chicago now requires COVID-19 vaccination, ID for public venues, Vaccination proof, ID required to enter Chicago restaurants, bars, gyms, Lightfoots COVID-19 vaccine mandate upheld for Chicago firefighters, city workers, Illinois Forward 2024: A sustainable state budget plan, Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags, CBS Chicago: Illinois highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students. Pritzker has warned Illinoisans to keep masks handy. Children 24-59 months of age without series shall show proof of one dose of Hib vaccine at 15 months or older. "We're sitting next to strangers that we don't know, so it is the safest thing," said theatergoer Kevin Parliament. Employees at such venues like bars, restaurants and gyms need to either be vaccinated or wear a mask and show proof of weekly negative COVID tests. And its not going back to normal.. One additional dose by 2nd birthday. and Terms of Service apply. Chicago will soon require proof of COVID vaccination to access indoor public spaces, but will you be able to show a negative test result instead? The figure represents the percentage of people testing positive among recent tests. Two doses of varicella for students entering all grades. Otherwise, I don't think I would have come," said Stephanie Letchinger, gym member. Home [coronavirus.illinois.gov] Northwestern . Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot won a round in her fight to make Chicago Police Department workers get their COVID-19 vaccinations. Illinois Gov. Immunizations protect children against the following: Chickenpox Diphtheria Hepatitis B The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is working with public health departments, health care providers, and other partners to make sure people can easily get t 217.528.8800 f 312.212.5277 e info@illinoispolicy.org, Copyright 2023 Illinois Policy | Illinois' comeback story starts here. It's a question many are asking as COVID cases surge in Illinois and across the U.S. leading up to the holidays and some questions how long they should quarantine, if at all and how long they might be contagious. Illinois state law requires certain immunizations for children and adults enrolled in child care, school, or college. 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. The decision to phase out statewide pandemic protocols coincides with announcements this week that New York, New Jersey, California, Delaware, Connecticut, Nevada and Oregon will do the same. A judge in central Illinois granted a temporary restraining order last Friday to temporarily suspend the Illinois Department of Public Health and the state board of education's requirements for. St. Charles City Council rejects vaccine mandate - Illinois Policy [Colleges, students respond to end of Gov. Share. Here's a full breakdown of the guidelines. "When we walk into a situation, we will check to see what the environment is and then decide to take them off or keep them on," said Ruth McDuffie-Marks. You now need proof of COVID-19 vaccination and a photo ID to get in most places. Masks are also now optional for attendees. Long-term care facilities when in communal areas. Chicago public and charter schools also leave mask mandates in place. In addition, the new guidelines do not change the federal requirement to wear masks on public transportation and indoors in airports, train stations and bus stations. 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. In fact, while you may not have experienced it with your initial doses of the vaccine, there's still a chance you could see it following a booster shot. "I set up my first appointment today because I didn't have to wear a mask. The tweaks by Pritzker to the pandemic rules follow complaints and lawsuits by conservatives claiming the governor has overstepped his authority. Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot says that the new rules are going into effect because of rapid increases in COVID cases, with the city seeing a 500% increase in daily case averages over the last two months, and increases in hospitalizations, which have risen each of the last 30 days. And Illinois numbers remain high: 5,825 confirmed cases and 87 COVID-19 deaths were reported Tuesday. Four or more doses of DTP/DTaP with the last dose being a booster and received on or after the 4th birthday. Illinois stays vaccine, testing mandate on larger public employers after Supreme Court ruling, How Police Department Spending in Illinois Compares to Other States, Heres How Many Guns Were Sold in Illinois Last Month, Hundreds of Thousands of Jobs At Risk of Automation and AI Replacement in Illinois, This Is How Many Unpaid Interns Are Working in Illinois, Judge declares Illinois' gun ban unconstitutional, Report finds $860 million lost in homes seized by government, U.S Treasury sanctions cartel-run timeshare fraud network targeting Americans, Air Force leader's testimony on military vaccine mandates contradicts IG report, Gaetz says, Biden takes fire after vowing to ban assault weapons, Madigan asks judge to toss out 14 of 23 corruption counts. With coronavirus cases on the rise and people looking to travel for the holidays, COVID testing centers are reporting long lines and wait times in the lead-up to Christmas. Two doses by 1 year of age. When Gov. On that day, the state reported 4,041 COVID-19 cases and 60 more Illinoisans dead from the virus. I teach at Northwestern and have a higher exposure risk," said Justin Mann. CHICAGO Illinois mask mandate is ending Feb. 28. "You have to have the voices of families in these decisions, we are responsible for their children when they are with us and when they give us the level of trust they also have trust going to get their feedback in incredibly important decisions," he said. Emergency medical services workers who arent fully vaccinated will also be able to avoid routine testing under the new rules. ". While Pritzkers off-ramp plans did not appear to bring changes for the states K-12 schools, John Burkey, executive director of the Large Unit District Association, said leaders at Illinois school districts are anxious to learn what the states specific guidance for schools will look like in the fall. Across the state, 23,504 vaccine doses are being administered per day, based on a seven-day rolling average. Email Newsroom@BlockClubChi.org. The lawsuit argues such an order would be arbitrary and violate students rights. City lists 550 firefighters as unvaccinated. He also hinted his superseding state mask mandate could return if case rates rebound, requiring Cook County residents to mask up again even if the local order is revoked. Days before winning the GOP nomination to challenge Democratic Attorney General Kwame Raoul in November, DeVore last month filed a lawsuit in downstate Madison County challenging the vaccination requirement for higher education on behalf of 10 students and employees at several institutions, including City Colleges of Chicago and the University of Illinois. Proof of prior measles disease shall be verified with date of illness signed by a physician or laboratory evidence of measles immunity. Thats not to be confused with the CDCs COVID-19 community levels, which measure both the prevalence of cases and the strain on the health care system. Here are some options for how you can show proof of vaccination. Any child five years of age (60 months of age) or older shall not be required to provide proof of immunization with Hib vaccine. The announcement comes as city officials see rapid increases in COVID metrics in what is being called the "fifth surge.". Private and charter schools are also choosing to keep masks mandatory. Starting school year 2017-2018 any child entering Kindergarten shall show proof of 4 dose series with the last dose on or after the 4th birthday. In accordance with the ACIP catch-up series a fourth dose of Polio is not needed if the third dose was administered at age four or older and at least six months after the previous dose was administered. Illinois, Chicago lift face mask mandates; City also lifts vaccine The state agency's website said the final rules are not open to. In a statement issued by the governors office, A.J. Gov. Mask mandates are also a part of safety agreements with the Chicago Teachers Union, but CDPH Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady is hopeful the school mask mandate will be lifted soon. The Illinois State Board of Education might remove that option depending on whether it follows Gov. "I do cardio in the morning sometimes and I haven't been able to run, I've been only doing walking because running with a mask is a little bit, it's not optimal," said gym member Rick McEachern. 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.. There are some exemptions, however, city officials noted. However, this does not apply to intervals between live vaccines. J.B. Pritzkers mandate or a high court decision. It was literally something you had to put in place so that local government could prepare, Gov. Under the previous rules, all such employees had to be tested weekly regardless of where the facility was located. The Illinois Department of Public Healths (IDPH) Immunization Section conducts programs and initiatives designed to make sure each child in your family has up-to-date immunizations. Hospitalizations and deaths have also decreased by nearly half during that time. Countywide, the Cook County Department of Public Health reports an average of 632 new daily cases, down from 1,007 the week prior. Click Here for Masking Guidance Click Here for Vaccination Requirements Guidance 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. Covid-19 vaccines will be part of recommended immunization schedules in 2023 for both children and adults, after a unanimous vote by the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's. Since we dont know what new variants may come our way, when and where theyll show up, how our existing natural and/or vaccine-induced immunity may or may not protect us we could be playing with fire since we are flying blind with respect to being able to quickly understand the on-the-ground situation., Pritzkers decision to leave the vaccination requirement in place for employees in K-12 schools was praised by the leaders of the states largest school district and its two largest teachers unions. This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy Once mask mandates are lifted throughout Illinois and Chicago on Monday, face coverings will no longer be required in many places . I would feel more comfortable with relaxing requirements if we had a high-functioning surveillance system and were prepared to make tough decisions based on what it was telling us, said Gerardin, whos previously been critical of the administration for being too quick to remove restrictions. In Cook County, Illinois, the vaccine mandate lasted less than two months. Over the past week, the state of Illinois has been averaging more than 185,000 COVID tests per day, an all-time high in the face of a surge in cases likely caused by the omicron variant in the United States. Illinois drops mask mandate for healthcare facilities, Governor Chicago officials announced they'll also lift the city's mask and vaccine card mandates at the end of February if local metrics decline.