Gov. J.B. Pritzker on Wednesday announced he’ll lift his indoor mask mandate for most public settings by Feb. 28, but he’ll still push to keep face coverings on in schools for at least a few weeks beyond that.
The Democratic governor’s latest pandemic directive means Illinoisans — vaccinated or not, and barring a sudden resurgence by the end of the month — can go barefaced in grocery stores, restaurants, theaters and most other places. They’ll still have to mask up in hospitals, nursing homes and other areas with vulnerable residents, as well as other places where federal masking rules remain in effect, including on mass transit.
