Chicago’s public health commissioner said residents are not required to get vaccinated against COVID-19 – unless they want to attend summer events. City spending nearly $10 million to reach more neighborhoods with vaccines and close racial gaps.

COVID-19 cases are again on the rise. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker may again impose restrictions on parts of the state.

High courts in Wisconsin and Michigan have both ruled governors cannot repeatedly issue disaster declarations as a basis for mask mandates and other orders without legislative approval. A year into the pandemic, Illinois’ governor is still doing it.

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker and his public health chief decided their five-phase plan to lift COVID-19 restrictions needed another phase. The new phase calls for more places to open after more older residents are vaccinated, but with mask mandates.