reopen illinois

Artists from across the nation are traveling to Old Town for the iconic art fair this weekend, returning to the city after last summer’s closure due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Costco announced this week that the retailer will bring back free samples to guests this summer, as well as see the return of public food courts.

The state of Illinois is on track to enter Phase 5 of its reopening plan – which would mark a full reopening with no capacity limits – in July, officials announced Tuesday.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to announce a new reopening plan later this week that could ultimately bring the state back to normal, but under new guidelines.

Later this week, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker is expected to announce a new phased reopening plan that could bring the state back to normal. NBC 5’s Regina Waldroup reports.

In a one-on-one interview with NBC 5’s Mary Ann Ahern Monday, Gov. J.B. Pritzker revealed that he expects any Illinois resident who wants to be vaccinated will be able to register by May 1.

Illinois’ Phase 1B of COVID-19 vaccinations expanded Thursday as the state opened up eligibility to a much larger group of residents. Lauren Petty reports.

Illinois is currently in the fourth phase of the Restore Illinois plan, but as coronavirus metrics continue to spike across the state, many are under heightened mitigations and the governor has warned that the state could see restrictions from previous phases brought back. Last week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker warned restrictions from as far back as Phase 2 could return. Illinois…

Nov. 9: Gov. J.B. Pritzker delivers daily coronavirus update for Illinois.

The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago announced that it will reopen July 24 with free admission through the end of August. After months of being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the MCA will welcome the public back with new museum hours and restricted capacity to allow for social distancing. Starting next Friday, the museum will be open on Fridays…

Chicago’s Field Museum has announced plans to reopen this month. The museum plans to reopen for members only beginning July 17 and will open to the public on July 24, according to its website. “Our top priority is to create a safe environment for all of our visitors and staff, while letting you reconnect with science and culture in the…

With the city entering into Phase four, the Circuit Court of Cook County announced it will resume in-person court proceedings on Monday. After being closed for months due to coronavirus concerns, court sessions will resume again with the exception of jury trials in Chicago. The circuit court will continue to hold hearings by video conference whenever possible to avoid face-to-face…

As the state entered phase four of its reopening plan Friday, zoos and museums began opening their doors to the public with new guidelines. The Illinois Department of Public Health released specific guidelines in which businesses planning to reopen in phase four are required to follow. Zoos were allowed to reopen with no more than 25% occupancy, and with interactive…

As pools started to open Friday as the Chicago Area entered phase 4 of its reopening plan, people can expect new safety guidelines in place. Swimming pools, water parks, splash pads and beaches were allowed reopen at 50% capacity Friday as Illinois entered phase four of its statewide reopening plan, according to state health officials. Swimming facilities are required to…

School will be different when a new academic year starts this fall, but whether students are still learning remotely or the number of days per week they attend class will likely vary by location and district. The Illinois State Board of Education is expected to release health and safety guidelines by the end of June for districts trying to prepare…

Chicago restaurants and bars can sell curbside cocktails under a new measure approved by City Council Wednesday.

Drive-in movie theaters are starting to open across the Chicago area for some summer fun that complies with health guidelines on social distancing to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus. ChiTown Movies opened a new drive-in movie theater in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood located at 2343 S. Throop Street. The theater is screening “Grease” and “Coco” at various times through…

Illinois is currently in a five-phased process of reopening during the coronavirus pandemic, but as the situation and plan evolves it can be difficult to keep up with what each phase means. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker first announced the plan in early May aiming to operate on a “region-by-region basis.” But at the time, the governor noted the plan...

Illinois restaurants and bars can sell curbside cocktails according to new legislation, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Tuesday. With efforts to expand the hospitality industry in phase 3 of reopening, Pritzker signed a bill allowing the sale of cocktails by bars and restaurants with liquor licenses for pickup and delivery. Cocktails can only be delivered in a sealed, labeled container with…