Six months after reinstating a statewide mask mandate, Governor Pritzker reaffirmed he is lifting it tomorrow. Pritzker cited the recent improvements in COVID metrics.
In the days since the governor announced his plan, the number of people hospitalized with COVID has fallen in half, ICU bed availability is up 24% and weekly case numbers have dropped 70%.
It comes as CDC guidance suggests masks are not needed in areas of low or medium risk. The governor said he's gratified the state Supreme Court vacated a restraining order that prompted many school districts to go mask optional. He said the decision means he has the authority to implement one in the future. The president of the Chicago teachers union said last week they expect to bargain on any changes to masks in cps.
The governor is still holding to his authority to issue future mask mandates for schools, if necessary, pointing to a decision by the state supreme court to vacate a lower court ruling. Masks will still be required on public transit, in health care facilities and congregate settings. Businesses and municipalities can enact their own requirements, as Chicago has in its public schools.
