CHICAGO (CBS) – Illinois Governor J. B. Pritzker announced on Tuesday that he would lift the state’s requirement for masks on public transportation – in line with the end of the federal mask mandate.
As a result, masks will no longer be needed on public transport, at public transport hubs or at airports. However, local municipalities can create and maintain their own COVID-19 mitigation rules – including compliance with mask requirements in public transport.
“I am proud of the work our state has done to combat COVID-19 and protect our most vulnerable,” Pritzker said in a press release. “I continue to urge Illinois residents to follow the CDC’s recommendations and, most importantly, get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.”
“IDPH is closely monitoring the state of COVID-19 across Illinois and working with our local health partners to keep the public informed,” Acting Director of the Illinois Department of Health Amal Tokars said in a release. “The best way to protect yourself and your loved ones is to stay up to date with your vaccinations, and that includes extra vaccinations, especially for those at risk for more severe health outcomes.”
Following the announcement by the Governor of the Transit Office of Chicago, Metra and Pace announced that they were suspending their mandates for masks. The Chicago Department of Aviation has also announced that the mask mandate will be revoked.
The Chicago Department of Aviation has issued the following statement:
“In order to bring in line with recent changes in state and federal guidelines, the Chicago Aviation Department (CDA) will no longer require masks at O’Hare and Midway International Airports. Those wishing to continue to disguise are encouraged to do so. and polite to travelers as we continue to welcome people to Chicago airports. ”
The CTA issued the following statement:
“In order to comply with state instructions, the CTA will no longer require masks on public transport. Those wishing to continue to disguise are encouraged to do so. Please be kind and courteous to other riders as we continue to welcome people back to the CTA.” .
Pace issued this statement:
“In response to Governor J. B. Pritzker’s announcement, masks will be welcomed, but not mandatory on Pace buses or on facilities that operate immediately. Please be polite and kind to your colleagues and bus operators, as it was a difficult period for everyone.
“Let’s do our best to help each other on the way back. Thank you for your continued support and cooperation. “
Metra was the first to announce that her mask mandate would end immediately. The Railway Agency issued the following statement:
“Given Governor J. B. Pritzker’s announcement, masks will be welcomed but not needed when traveling on Metra trains. They remain an important preventative measure against COVID-19. We ask everyone to be polite and kind to their companions and understand them. needs and elections. It was a difficult period for everyone – let’s do our best to help each other on the way back. “
We spoke to several CTA riders who said they would still wear masks on the train.
– I took the “L” throughout the pandemic, so from March 2020. I took the “L”, even if the L was just me and mostly homeless – so I’ve seen it all – said Catherine Simmons Gill – but yes, I wear a mask.
A solution termination of the federal mask mandate on airplanes and public transport was extradited Monday by U.S. District Judge Catherine Kimball Misel in Tampa. The decision said the order exceeded the authority of U.S. health officials, and that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) had improperly substantiated its decision and failed to comply with proper regulations under the Administrative Procedures Act (APA).
A judge nominated by Trump also wrote that the court “adopts a CDC political ruling that the mask requirement will limit the transmission of COVID-19 and thus reduce the number of serious diseases and deaths that cause COVID-19,” but “that conclusions alone are not enough to create a good deed. ”
The Transport Security Administration has since said it will not continue to fulfill the mandate, and many airlines have announced that their demands for masks will be stopped immediately. Some airline passengers took off their masks in mid-flight.
Amtrak also said late Monday that masks are no longer needed. However, the CTA, Metra and Pace initially said they would retain the mandate for the mask. As a reason Metra in particular cited the order of Governor Pritzker.
During a question-and-answer session following City Club’s speech she gave Tuesday before airports and rail agencies announced the waiver of masked mandates, Mayor Lori Lightfoot suggested that the CTA and airports may soon switch to masks optionally. But at the time. she said the city is still discussing the topic.
“I believe that as a result, we will recommend people who feel comfortable and feel that they need to wear masks, continue to wear masks and make sure that we respect the people who make these decisions,” said the mayor. the same and I will just add this, with our airports. There are many people who will never again feel comfortable without a mask in such public places, but I can tell you that in the foreseeable future, for myself, I will not get on a plane without a mask.
The Biden administration has said it will only appeal a ruling that ended the federal mask mandate if the CDC believes the mandate is still needed.
