* This is confirmed…
Hospitalizations are down more than 83 percent from the peak six or so weeks ago.
* Chicago’s proof of vaccine requirement will also end…
Both the city of Chicago and the state of Illinois will end their indoor masking mandates on Feb. 28. The city of Chicago will also end its requirement for patrons to show proof-of-vaccination against COVID on that date, according to officials.
The city announced its plans on Tuesday, while the state of Illinois announced its decision to roll back mandates earlier this month.
I took a photo of my driver’s license next to my vax card, so that city mandate has been no big deal for me. The whiners made it a problem for staff, however.
* NBC 5…
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike reminded residents that masks remain necessary in certain places and situations, including for public transportation, inside federal buildings and in parts of long-term care facilities.
The full list of locations includes:
[…] The one vaccine-related rule that will not be removed, at least according to Mayor Lori Lightfoot, is the mandate that city workers get vaccinated against COVID-19.
* Illinois Supreme Court has a new rule…
Each circuit court may adopt rules requiring the wearing of masks in courthouses pursuant to appropriate public health guidance. Absent such local rules, the wearing of masks within courthouses is permitted, but not required. Persons choosing to wear a mask may be directed by a judge to remove it if deemed necessary for court purposes, such as when addressing the court or testifying.
* The Senate won’t be in session next week, so they’re still “taking input” on a decision. And the House is still planning no changes for the rest of the session to its mask, etc. rules. By the way, there was some confusion in the House over the rules yesterday…
“If we are going to follow the rules we have to follow all the rules not just the ones you guys pick and choose to follow. So if we need to wear our masks when we debate, if we are going to look like idiots, we are going to debate like idiots with our masks on thank you Mr. Speaker,” said Rep. Andrew Chesney.
Nothing in the rules allows members to remove their masks to speak during debate. So, Rep. Chesney, was correct, if impolite.
* Also, this happened today…
Sheesh.
…Adding… Chicago Archdiocese…
Based on our extremely low infection rates and guidance from our medical advisors, we are making masks optional in our Catholic schools in Chicago, Evanston, and Oak Park, beginning Monday, February 28. With this decision, all Catholic schools in the Archdiocese of Chicago will be mask optional, effective Monday.
*** UPDATE *** Expected…
- WestBurbs - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 3:05 pm:
I think its a mistake to repeal the “proof of vax” requirement. Data is absolutely clear that vax reduces hospitalization and death. Also clear that many have refused vax. So why would we remove an incentive to get vaxxed?
And if your argument is that the requirement hurts restaurants, bars - prove it. My anecdotal evidence is that has been very, very tough to get dinner reservations in Chicago, meaning they are full-up with vaxxed customers.
- Donnie Elgin - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 3:09 pm:
“And the House is still planning no changes for the rest of the session”
I’d wage that the House changes rules and makes masks optional before the April 8th end of session.
- Club J - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 3:10 pm:
Wonder if Tom DeVore will be filing a lawsuit against the Supreme Court or Circuit Courts that require masks? This is like a menu of grifter opportunities for him.
- Benniefly2 - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 3:34 pm:
I suspect that this will be a slight net positive overall for the restaurant industry. For my wife and me, however, I guess we will be stopping our weekly treks in from the burbs to go out until it is nice enough to sit outside again. I won’t eat inside anytime soon unless the restaurant decides to implement a vax card check on their own.
- JoanP - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 3:36 pm:
= GOP Reps. Miller (no relation) and Halbrook voted “No” remotely on a motion to grant fellow GOP Reps. Demmer and Bourne the right to vote remotely =
That’s just . . . odd.
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 3:45 pm:
Gonna answer this “Anonymous” one time… pick a name.
===If one chooses not to be vaxxed. Even though that same person knows they would have a less chance of hospitalization
Why ‘punish’ them by not allowing them to dine in===
That’s the thing you have here;
It’s not protecting yourself, it’s “you” spreading to “others”
You wear a mask, for example, as not to infect others, not as a preventative to getting it, as you want others to protect you… from them.
The reason people thank those wearing masks is those wearing masks to help stop the spread.
Ugh.
- Morty - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 3:49 pm:
‘ Why ‘punish’ them by not allowing them to dine in’
Because it’s better for their business to have a healthy staff and the public perception that the establishment is safe to eat at?
- Bruce( no not him) - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 3:50 pm:
I can vote remotely, but you can’t. Perfect example of the current GOP.
- Lakefront - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 3:56 pm:
Very interesting to watch the establishment-fringe fracture in the Republican Caucus right now. Miller and Bailey are close - is this some weird type of retribution for Demmer and Bourne’s participation on the Griffin slate?
Like good lord Miller and Halbrook. They’re your colleagues.
- low level - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 4:00 pm:
Rep. Andrew Chesney knows all too well about debating like an idiot…
- Oswego Willy - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 4:02 pm:
===Miller and Bailey are close - is this some weird type of retribution for Demmer and Bourne’s participation on the Griffin slate?===
It’s an odd flex, and probably good news for Dems if things are that petty already.
Also… Facebook is down the dial, there’s plenty of places fir anonymous musings.
- Alice - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 4:07 pm:
WesternBurbs-
I have been out almost every week since the Vax mandate and there was only 1 restaurant in Greek Town that checked for vax. I had it ready to go everywhere and they didn’t care. The restaurants have had unvaccinated ppl in there all along.
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 4:12 pm:
==.@chicagosmayor announces that an arbitrator has ruled that the city’s vaccine mandate for CPD officers is valid. ==
Now get with it regarding a mandatory vax requirement for all state and local employees. Including the booster when eligible. Or face consequences, up to and including discharge.
- moving forward - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 4:35 pm:
i think those eastern bloc members are so accustomed to voting “no” that they did so reflexively and thoughtlessly.
- cover - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 5:07 pm:
= i think those eastern bloc members are so accustomed to voting “no” that they did so reflexively and thoughtlessly. =
“Whatever it is, I’m against it.”
https://youtu.be/xHash5takWU
- Deputy Sheriff - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 5:34 pm:
Why are my comments regarding the Supreme Court rule not posting?
- NonAFSCMEStateEmployeeFromChatham - Wednesday, Feb 23, 22 @ 5:41 pm:
==Why the Tyrannical attitude against state workers==
I am a state employee in a different union than AFSCME. I don’t consider myself tyrannical against state employee even though I am not in complete lockstep with everything my union supports.
I’ve been vaccinated fully since early last spring and had my booster since early October. I just like to see laws and regulations enforced including COVID vaccination policies, so I can be assured of at least a little more safety in the office. No different than vax mandate in hospitals and nursing facilities. State should do the same thing for everyone.
- Chito - Thursday, Feb 24, 22 @ 7:26 am:
In light of Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, can we add “tyrannical” or any variation of that word when speaking of a mask mandate to the list of banned words? You people have no idea what real tyranny means.