After 85 days, limited indoor dining and drinking can resume in Chicago and suburban Cook County on Saturday, officials with the Illinois Department of Public Health announced. But the long-awaited news came with a warning.
Stories by Heather Cherone
Alarmed Aldermen Split on Solution as Carjackings Soar 135%
Members of the Chicago City Council are deeply split on how to stop a barrage of carjackings that has Chicagoans throughout the city terrified to leave their houses for fear of becoming the latest victim.
Chicago, Suburban Cook Remain On Track For Limited Indoor Dining: Officials
Limited indoor dining and drinking is set to resume in Chicago and suburban Cook County on Saturday under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s revised plan to slow the spread of COVID-19, according to data released Friday by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Limited Indoor Dining On Track to Resume in Chicago
Limited indoor dining and drinking is set to resume in Chicago under Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s revised plan to slow the spread of COVID-19, according to data released Thursday by the Illinois Department of Public Health.
Chicago Cites Unlicensed Club, 11 Restaurants, Bars for Violating COVID-19 Restrictions
Since March, city inspectors have conducted more than 8,000 investigations and cited 416 businesses for violating COVID-19 regulations, officials said.
Chicago’s Top Doctor Pleads with Chicagoans to be Patient While Waiting for Vaccine
“My word for you is patience,” Dr. Allison Arwady, the commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, said Thursday. “I know a lot of you will be frustrated.”
Biden’s Inaugural Address Was ‘Pitch Perfect’: Lightfoot
Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot praised President Joe Biden’s inaugural address Wednesday, telling WTTW News she was “grateful” to hear him deliver a soaring defense of democracy two weeks after supporters of former President Donald Trump stormed the U.S. Capitol.
Lightfoot to Lift Stay-at-Home Order on Friday
The mayor on Wednesday updated the order for the fourth time to allow it to expire at 12:01 a.m. Friday. Meanwhile, the city is poised to meet state requirements to move from what officials call Tier 2 to Tier 1 on Thursday.
Watchdog Begins Probe of ‘Possible Misconduct’ by City Officials in Botched Raid
Inspector General Joseph Ferguson announced Wednesday that his probe of the botched raid in February 2019 that left Anjanette Young handcuffed while naked and pleading for help would focus on “possible misconduct” by city officials.
Lightfoot Extends Stay-at-Home Order Until Jan. 30
The advisory, which has now been extended by the mayor three times, is scheduled to be in effect until two days before Chicago Public Schools elementary school students are scheduled to go back to in-person class.
Chicago Activates Emergency Operations Center, Prepares for Inauguration-Related Violence
City officials are taking precautions ahead of potential unrest, though they're not aware of any "actionable activity" being planned in Chicago on Inauguration Day.
Aldermen Advance Measure to Expand Protections for Immigrants
Aldermen unanimously advanced a measure on Tuesday that would expand protections for immigrants by blocking Chicago police from cooperating with federal immigration agents in all cases.
City Worker Fired After Making Racist, Violent Facebook Comments During Protests: Watchdog
City officials fired an employee of the Chicago Department of Transportation after he sent “unprovoked offensive, racist, harassing and violent” messages to a Chicagoan on Facebook during the protests sparked by the death of George Floyd in late May, according to a report from the city’s watchdog.
City Rolls Out COVID-19 Vaccine Plan: All Chicagoans Won’t Be Eligible Until May 31
The city of Chicago’s tentative vaccine distribution plan estimates that there will not be enough COVID-19 vaccine available for all Chicagoans ages 16 and older until May 31, the city’s top doctor announced Monday.
City Animal Shelter Employee Sexually Assaulted 2 Co-Workers: Watchdog
City officials fired an animal care officer assigned to work at the city’s shelter after an investigation determined they sexually assaulted two co-workers while off-duty and outside of the office, according to a report from the city’s watchdog.
City Pays $115K to Settle 2 Lawsuits Alleging Excessive Force During Protests
The city of Chicago will pay $115,000 to two Chicago men who alleged they were subjected to excessive force during the protests sparked by the death of George Floyd in late May, marking the first of what could be a costly wave of lawsuit settlements.
State Health Officials Lift Toughest COVID-19 Restrictions in Chicago, Suburbs
Chicago and suburban Cook, Lake, Kane, McHenry and DuPage counties moved Monday from Tier 3 to Tier 2 after the Illinois Department of Public Health launched a new plan to add hospital staff and beds where the need is greatest.
Aldermen Set to Consider Measure to Expand Protections for Immigrants
Aldermen are set to consider a revised proposal backed by Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Tuesday that would expand protections for immigrants by blocking Chicago police from cooperating with federal immigration agents.
Ald. Brookins Sues Ethics Board After It Fines Him $5,000 For Violating Ethics Ordinance
The 21st Ward alderman sued the Chicago Board of Ethics after it unanimously found he had violated the city’s Ethics Ordinance by defending clients — including former Ald. Proco “Joe” Moreno — in criminal cases involving the Chicago Police Department.
Gibsons Cleared After Fire Prompts Probe Eatery Violated COVID-19 Restrictions
Inspectors found the River North eatery to be in full compliance with COVID-19 regulations after a probe on Thursday, said Isaac Reichman, a spokesman for the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.
Illinois to Launch Next Phase of COVID-19 Vaccine Effort Jan. 25: Pritzker
The effort to inoculate all 850,000 health care workers and long-term care facility residents in Illinois from COVID-19 will be “substantially complete” next week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Friday.
Pritzker Lifts Toughest COVID-19 Restrictions in 3 Illinois Regions
COVID-19 in Illinois: 6,642 new cases, 123 additional deaths
Gov. J.B. Pritzker said Friday the toughest restrictions in place to stop the spread of the coronavirus will lift in three Illinois regions — but will stay in place in Chicago and suburban Cook County.
More Transmissible COVID-19 Variant Discovered in Chicago: Officials
A variant of the coronavirus first discovered in the United Kingdom and believed to be more transmissible is present in Chicago, city health officials announced Friday.
Police Department Disciplines Officers Who Lounged, Napped in US Rep. Rush’s Office as Looting Swept South Side
Officers who lounged, slept and snacked in the burglarized South Side office of U.S. Rep. Bobby Rush in the early morning hours of June 1 as unrest swept the South and West sides of the city have been disciplined, the Chicago Police Department announced Thursday.
Lead-Footed Drivers Beware: Warnings Start for Going 6 MPH Over the Limit Near Schools, Parks
Drivers will get one written warning before they have to pay $35 to resolve the infraction after March 1, when the new law will take full effect, officials said.
City Probing Gibsons for Violating COVID-19 Restrictions After Fire Forces Evacuation
No one was injured in the fire, which was caused when the restaurant’s fireplace damper malfunctioned around 9 p.m. Wednesday, said Liz Lombardo Stark, a spokesperson for the Rush Street landmark.
