The Chicago Cubs have announced changes to their facial coverage policy within Wrigley Field.
In addition, one of the largest economic engines in the state has announced the return of more than a hundred conventions and events to Chicago.
This is what you need to know about the coronavirus pandemic in Illinois right now.
Puppies say COVID vaccinated fans no longer need to wear masks at Wrigley Field
The Chicago Cubs have announced changes to their face-covering policy inside Wrigley Field, saying fans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 are no longer required, but are advised, to wear masks when find in the outer sections of the dance park.
According to an email sent by the Cubs to fans on Wednesday, fans who are completely vaccinated against the coronavirus will not have to wear the mask when walking around the grounds or when they are in the stadium seating area. Fans will still have to wear masks to the park’s indoor spaces, including retail stores and suites.
Fans who are not fully vaccinated will be required to wear masks unless they are actively eating or drinking, according to the team. Stadium staff will also be required to wear masks.
Of more than 6,000 deaths from COVID in 2021, 81 were completely vaccinated: Illinois officials
Illinois health officials say 81 people have died after being diagnosed earlier this year with cases called coronavirus “advances.”
The new issues were released Wednesday by the Illinois Department of Public Health. According to these metrics, only 1.3% of all people who have died after contracting coronavirus so far this year were completely vaccinated.
A total of 6,031 people have died so far this year due to COVID-19 or virus-related complications.
According to state data, a total of 243 people completely vaccinated against coronavirus have been hospitalized after contracting the disease since January 1st.
A person is considered to be “completely vaccinated” two weeks after receiving the second dose of the Pfizer or Modern COVID vaccine, or two weeks after receiving the unique Johnson & Johnson vaccine.
An “advanced case” of coronavirus is defined as a person who tested positive for the virus more than 14 days after receiving their final dose of vaccine.
McCormick Place sets its sights on summer events, with a multimillion-dollar economic impact
One of the largest economic engines in the state has announced the return of more than a hundred conventions and events to Chicago.
This comes after an estimated loss of $ 3 billion in economic impact during the last year of the pandemic.
On Wednesday, McCormick Place leaders announced that 122 events have already been booked by December 2022.
The massive Marriott Marquis Chicago, within walking distance of the convention center, also plans to reopen private events starting in June after being closed for more than a year. Officials announced it would reopen to the public in July.
Larita Clark, CEO of the Metropolitan Pier and Exposition Authority, boasted of the estimated $ 2.3 billion economic impact these events would produce.
“It’s been crazy to see our employees and those who work on our campus unemployed,” Clark said. “We expect things to move faster than we expected.”
Read more here.
Coronavirus in Illinois: 1,139 new cases of COVID, 27 deaths, 59 billion vaccines
Illinois health officials reported 1,139 new confirmed and probable cases of coronavirus and 27 additional deaths in the last day, along with more than 59,000 vaccines administered.
The reported new cases of coronavirus bring the state total to 1,378,388 cases since the pandemic began and raise the total death toll to 22,676, according to the Illinois Department of Public Health.
In the last 24 hours, 42,841 coronavirus testing samples were returned to state laboratories, with more than 24.3 million performed during the pandemic.
Read more here.
Chicago Pride Parade announces the return of 2021 with a new fall date
The Pride Parade in Chicago returns this year, but the festival changes from early summer to mid-fall with its new appointment.
The 2021 event will take place on October 3 following last summer’s cancellation due to the coronavirus pandemic.
Organizers said the single date change was “necessary” due to COVID-19 and “concerns for the safety of participants and spectators,” although they still encourage residents to celebrate the month of June Pride. .
Read more here.
Myocarditis after the COVID vaccine? The best Chicago papers analyze the reports
The top Chicago doctor says there have so far been no cases of myocarditis reported in young COVID vaccine recipients in the city and that there is currently no link between the disease and coronavirus vaccination.
“The percentage of this myocarditis they’ve seen hasn’t been. It hasn’t been higher,” Commissioner Allison Arwady, a Chicago Department of Public Health commissioner, said on a Tuesday on Facebook Live. “Not related [to vaccines], but it has been one of the things that sometimes younger people can get. So, you know, we’ve advised doctors here if they see it to make sure that … they’re reporting it. “
Arwady’s comments come after the advisory panel of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention pointed to some reports of some young COVID vaccine recipients experiencing cases of myocarditis after their vaccination.
Read more here.
Chicago’s beaches will reopen this weekend
Memorial Day weekend marks the reopening of Chicago’s beaches, a major summer is on its way.
The more than two dozen beaches on the shores of Lake Michigan will reopen Friday, said Mike Kelly, superintendent and CEO of the Chicago Park District. The city’s beaches were closed during the summer of 2020, in accordance with COVID-19 restrictions.
Although the beach season typically runs from Memorial Day weekend to Labor Day weekend, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, it was unclear exactly when visitors would be received.
Downtown Chicago office buildings remain almost empty, but for how long?
The work-from-home strategy adopted by many companies and employees during the pandemic will soon change as employees refill office buildings in downtown Chicago, according to the people who run the tall structures that make up the iconic city skyline.
A recent survey by the Chicago Association of Building Owners and Managers (BOMA Chicago) led by professionals and business leaders found that 52% are happy to return to the office, 25% are nervous, but wait and 23% are undecided.
Commercial real estate giant JLL said most of its Chicago business tenants kept their leases and are ready to adapt to the new reality of the workspace of a post-pandemic world.
“Tenants inevitably reconsider the way they design their space and how often their employees can enter the office,” said Matt Carolan, JLL’s executive director. “So what could normally have been a five-day work week might look like a three-day work week where your friends come on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays.”
JLL said returning employees can expect a super clean environment, healthier air and additional signage in many buildings.
“It may no longer necessarily be a permanent desk,” Carolan said. “It could be a temporary place to sit, but there could be conference tables. There could be areas for collaboration. “
COVID hospitalizations in Illinois continue to decline after a brief April increase
Coronavirus cases requiring hospitalization in Illinois have continued to decline after a brief upward trend in these metrics earlier this year.
According to the latest available data from the Illinois Department of Public Health, there were 1,393 patients hospitalized for coronavirus in the state at midnight. This number is the lowest recorded by the state since the end of March and represents a continued decline in the number of hospitalizations associated with the virus.
The state experienced a short-lived blow to hospitalizations that began in late March and extended through mid-April, with a maximum total of 2,218 hospitalizations, which was affected on April 18. , according to IDPH data.
After remaining above 2,000 until early May, the number of hospitalizations has begun to decline sharply, dropping to levels not seen since March.
United Airlines offers vaccinated travelers the chance to win free travel for a year
Want to travel for free for a year? In an effort to increase vaccination rates, United Airlines is holding a contest to give five people a chance to win this.
The Chicago airline on Monday announced the “Your Shot to Fly” raffle for members of its loyalty program, aimed at encouraging people to get vaccinated against COVID-19.
Throughout the month of June, United said it plans to give away 30 pairs of tickets for a return flight for two people of any class, to any destination in the world where United flies.
Then, on July 1, United will announce the five randomly selected winners of the grand prize, which is to travel for a year for them and for a companion, also in any kind of service and at any United destination.
Read more, including how to get in, here.
The Chicago Rental Assistance Program Offers Up to 15 Months of Rent for Tenants Striving to Pay Due to COVID-19
The city of Chicago offers up to 15 months of rent payments for tenants struggling to pay for housing due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
The application for the Chicago Emergency Rental Assistance Program opened Monday, the city announced. Applications will be accepted on June 8 until 11:59 p.m.
The program will provide grants of up to 12 months of unpaid rent and three months of future rent payments to eligible tenants and landlords, depending on the city.
To be eligible, tenants must live in Chicago and have experienced difficulties due to COVID-19, such as job loss, reduced hours, or illness at home. Applicants must also be at risk of housing instability and have obtained less than the maximum income threshold.
Depending on the city, this threshold ranges from $ 52,200 for one person to $ 86,500 for a six-person home.
Read more, including how to apply, here.