WELCOME, Phase 5!
Most restrictions lifted, capacities expanded, & better days ahead
It's here--the time so many of us have been dreaming about for the last 15 months.
Citing declining numbers of COVID cases, hospitalizations, and deaths statewide--along with increasing numbers of coronavirus vaccinations--Governor Pritzker has moved the entire state to Phase 5.
This means businesses, large-scale events, and spectator venues, among others, can operate at full capacity. Whether it's the theater, the ballpark, the corner cafe, or the grandbabies you've been missing most, now is the time to get on out there and enjoy.
- Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial rules and regulations, including local business/workplace requirements.
- All sectors of the economy can resume at regular capacity. Large gatherings of all sizes can resume across all industry settings.
- All businesses can reopen.
- Large events, like festivals and conventions, can return without capacity restrictions.
- Large gatherings can resume, including weddings, church services, and parties with large crowds.
- Businesses can implement their own mitigation strategies, including requiring social distancing and masks, if they choose.
What about masks?
- Fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask except in places where the federal government requires it, such as nursing homes, public transportation, and health care facilities, or where a business or workplace requires it.
- Masks are required inside schools, but in accordance with CDC guidelines, the state will not require masks when people are outdoors at school.
- People who are not fully vaccinated should continue to wear a mask in crowded settings indoors and outdoors, the state recommends. Health officials recommend that unvaccinated people wear masks around unvaccinated youth.
- Immunocompromised people should consider wearing masks in settings where other people might not be fully vaccinated.
- The state won’t require social distancing or mask-wearing outdoors or indoors at businesses where everyone is fully vaccinated.
- In indoor business settings, unvaccinated people should continue to wear a face covering and stay 6 feet apart.
- At outdoor businesses, unvaccinated people can choose not to wear a face covering when they’re able to keep 6 feet from other people.
- Businesses and patrons should support those who choose to wear a mask.
While we should celebrate these developments, we need to be realistic about where we are in terms of getting to the desired number of Illinoisians who are vaccinated. Less than 45% are currently fully vaccinated.
Metrics to move backwards
The state could revert to a previous phase if there is a resurgence of the virus, measured by an increasing trend in our case rate and one of the following:
- Hospital admissions for COVID-19-like illness trend increasing and above 150 daily average
- COVID-19 patients in the hospital trend increasing and above 750 daily census
- Mortality rate trend increasing and above 0.1 daily average
- ICU bed availability < 20%
Metrics will be measured over a 10-day monitoring period
For full guidance from the State of Illinois, click the pic.
More Vaccine News
Cook County closes three mass vaccination sites
Cook County Health has consolidated three COVID-19 mass vaccination sites to focus on expanding community-based initiatives. The Tinley Park, South Holland, and River Grove vaccination sites have been merged into the locations in Forest Park, Des Plaines, and Matteson.
The county is expanding vaccine efforts into the neighborhoods and is working with community-based organizations to ensure that everyone has the access they need. This approach also addresses the issues that cause people to be hesitant.
Cook County Health identified 32 municipalities as priority areas for COVID vaccinations based on the U.S. Centers for Disease Control's social vulnerability index and the COVID community vulnerability index.
The focus now is on educating and encouraging those who have not yet been vaccinated get their shot.
Since opening, more than 267,000 vaccine doses have been administered at the Tinley Park, South Holland, and River Grove sites, with more than 800,000 administered throughout all of Cook County.
Cook County is now offering the Pfizer COVID-19 vaccine to children ages 12 and up at most sites
Cook County is now offering the Pfizer vaccine to children ages 12 and up after getting authorization from the CDC and FDA. The vaccine and dose is the same given to those 16 and up. Expanding authorization to people 12 to 15 opens the Covid-19 vaccination to another 5% of the US population.
Cook County Health has expanded hours at several of its COVID-19 mass vaccination locations. This expansion will make it easier for individuals and families to get vaccinated and also accommodate the expected increase in demand.
The following mass vaccination sites are now open from 8:00AM – 8:00PM Monday through Friday and 8:00AM – 6:00PM on Saturday:
- Des Plaines, 1155 E. Oakton Street (Pfizer)
- Forest Park, 7630 W. Roosevelt Road (Pfizer)
- Matteson, 4647 Promenade Way (Pfizer)
The Pfizer vaccine is currently approved for individuals age 12+. Those age 12-17 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian to be vaccinated.
Walk-ins are welcome at all CCH vaccination sites. The last walk-in will be accepted 30 minutes prior to close. Individuals can still make appointments by clicking the link below or by calling 833-308-1988, Monday – Friday from 7:00AM – 10:00PM and Saturday from 8:00AM – 10:00PM.
Chicago expands vaccine eligibility to ages 12 and up
Chicago-run vaccination sites that currently offer the Pfizer vaccine are now open to those ages 12 and up for both walk-ins and appointments. Parents and guardians must accompany children.
Note: The site on Gallagher Way near Wrigley Field is closed.
The sites are:
- Apostolic Faith Church, 3823 S. Indiana
- Chicago State University walk-up, 9501 South King Drive
- United Center drive-thru, 1724 W. Madison
- Richard J. Daley College, 7500 S. Pulaski
- Wilbur Wright College, 4300 N. Narragansett
- Loretto Hospital, 645 S. Central
Anyone can still make an appointment by calling 312-746-4835 or by using Zocdoc.com/vaccine, or Chicago.gov/VaccineFinder to find a vaccine provider nearby. Signing up in advance is preferred as it will reduce any potential lines.
THE UNITED CENTER WILL BE OPEN FOR DRIVE-THRU ONLY AND WILL RUN THROUGH JUNE 24. Both the Pfizer vaccine and the Johnson & Johnson vaccine are available at the Untied Center.
The COVID-19 vaccine is free to everyone, regardless of insurance or immigration status. You cannot be denied a vaccine if you do not have insurance
Priority Covid-19 vaccination site near us
Priority Vaccination Site open at West Leyden High School in Northlake
Priority Sites Aim to Achieve Equitable Vaccination
The Cook County Department of Public Health opened a Priority Vaccination Site at West Leyden High School in Northlake to serve several of the County’s 32 Priority Communities in its Vaccination Program. Priority Sites are strategically located to draw residents from surrounding municipalities from the 32 Priority Communities identified earlier in the spring.
Residents can walk in to each site between 10:00 a.m. and 7:00 p.m. Monday through Friday and from 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Although residents do not need an appointment, they are encouraged to guarantee their vaccination by calling 312-864-0591. Each site has a unique link for scheduling, listed here with the specific communities they serve.
West Leyden High School is located at 1000 Wolf Road in Northlake serving Norridge, Harwood Heights, Melrose Park, Maywood, Bellwood, Stone Park, Berkeley, Northlake, and Franklin Park:
The West Leyden site is offering the Pfizer vaccine for residents ages 12+.
Vaccine concerns? Learn More
If you or someone you love are vaccine-hesitant, look to a trusted resource for information.
Board of Review Virtual Tax Appeal Workshops
All sessions sponsored by Board of Review Commissioner Tammy Wendt & Commissioner Peter Silvestri
Sessions will focus on registering and pre-filing your property tax appeal.
For Townships of Leyden and Jefferson--41st & 45th Wards
DATE: Tuesday, June 15
TIME: 6:00 p.m.
For Townships of River Forest, Riverside, and Cicero
DATE: Thursday, June 17
TIME: 6:00 p.m.
Forest Preserve District of Cook County
Phase 5 changes at the forest preserves are now in place
There are no COVID-19 capacity limits on the number of participants for forest preserve events for the public, volunteer days, or indoor event permits. Current COVID-19 capacity limits for outdoor permitted events will end on June 18th.
Campgrounds are fully open, seven days a week, with no site set-asides due to COVID-19 capacity limits. All bunkhouses and group campsites are fully open.
Swallow Cliff Stairs return to standard operation, with standard mask requirements, full parking, and no designated uphill/downhill stairways.
Mask requirements indoors are limited to visitors who are not vaccinated. Outdoors, visitors who are not vaccinated are required to wear a mask if they cannot maintain social distance.
All staff will continue to wear a mask when interacting with members of the public.
Nature Center grounds are open seven days a week, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Drinking fountains are closed, but restrooms are available. Buildings and indoor exhibits offering limited access varies by each location. Check the website link below for details.
Picnic permits for 2021
The permit office at General Headquarters is open Monday to Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. and Saturday from 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Permits continue to be available online.
Unique event spaces available
Permits are available for our several unique indoor event spaces. Events are available at the Volunteer Resource Center/Edgebrook, Dan Ryan, and Thatcher Woods locations.
The Covid-19 Job Training and Placement Program is Underway
The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership
The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership is receiving $4 million from Cook County in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and CARES Act funding. The funding will support training, placement, and career coaching programs for job seekers and provide additional resources for employers and training providers serving or located in suburban Cook County.
Everything you need to know about Cook County
My door is always open . . .
Cook County is responsible for providing essential services in the areas of public safety, public health, the court system, elections, tax assessment and appeals, recording deeds, and managing forest preserves. As an independent-minded member of the Board, I have worked hard to combine fiscal responsibility with social awareness. I am honored to serve the people of the 9th district, which includes: portions of the far northwest side of Chicago; Park Ridge, River Forest, Elmwood Park, Harwood Heights, Mount Prospect, Norridge, River Grove, Rosemont, and Schiller Park; portions of Arlington Heights, Melrose Park, Morton Grove, Niles, and Prospect Heights; and unincorporated Norwood Park, Maine, and Wheeling Townships.
Cook County government is here for you
Click below for a complete list of:
- Resident services
- How to do business
- County elected officials
- Agencies
- Meeting calendar