State Mask Mandate Ending, Springfield Lobby Day

State Mask Requirements for Indoor Places to End February 28, Chicago and Cook County on Track to Lift Mask Requirements

This afternoon, Governor Pritzker announced plans to end the state's mask mandate, effective Monday, February 28. The mask mandate will be eliminated for most indoor settings including restaurants, bars, hotels, office settings, and other businesses. Municipalities and businesses may choose to continue to implement more strict public health mitigations as they deem appropriate, including requiring masks. Click here to read the announcement.

The IRA is encouraged by the Governor's decision to end the mask mandate in Illinois as COVID-19 cases have dropped to their lowest levels in more than two months. Restaurants continue to do their part to keep their diners and team members safe, and are eager to take this next step toward normalcy and recovery.

Both the city of Chicago and Cook County have indicated to the IRA that they plan to align with the state and lift their respective mask mandates on February 28 if metrics continue to improve. The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) noted today that CDPH is watching four primary community transmission and risk metrics, and when 3 of the 4 reach “Lower Transmission Risk” and stay there for two weeks, the city would begin to lift restrictions.

Additionally, city and county officials have indicated that as long as metrics continue to improve, their intention is to lift their respective vaccination mandates for indoor dining at the same time as their mask requirements. Click here to read more from the Cook County Department of Public Health.

We will share additional updates as soon as they are available.

Read more from Chicago Sun-Times, WTTW, ABC7, and Fox32.

New Date, Registration Now Open for Virtual Springfield Lobby Day

Register now to join the IRA for our rescheduled Virtual Springfield Lobby Day on the afternoon of Monday, February 28.

We will be meeting with leaders in the Illinois General Assembly to discuss issues of importance to the restaurant, hospitality, and tourism industries, including the need for enhanced relief for struggling small businesses.

Registration is complimentary, and the schedule of meetings will be made available closer to the event.

Click here to register, and contact Matt Quinn for more information.

Support Polar Plunge Benefiting Special Olympics Chicago