Pritzker mandates indoor masks, vaccinations for school, medical workers

By Patrick Andriesen, Brad Weisenstein

08/26/2021

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced all Illinoisans age 2 and up are required to wear masks inside public spaces effective Aug. 30. All school and health care workers must be vaccinated against COVID-19 by Sept. 5, as must college students.

TAGS: COVID-19, delta, JB Pritzker, masks, vaccine, variant

COVID-19 tests, masks required to see some of Illinois State Fair

By Noah Shaar

08/10/2021

2021’s Illinois State Fair will require all visitors to wear masks indoors and prove vaccination or a negative test to enter certain venues.

TAGS: coronavirus, COVID-19, executive order, Illinois, JB Pritzker, masks, Springfield, State Fair, vaccine

Promise of $10 million COVID-19 shot lottery fails to boost vaccinations

By Noah Shaar

07/03/2021

On July 8, Illinois will begin the “All in for the Win” lottery with $10 million in federal funds used as prizes to encourage COVID-19 vaccinations. Three weeks after the shot lottery announcement, vaccination rates have dropped by more than half.

TAGS: COVID-19, lottery, vaccine

Free Six Flags tickets offered for COVID-19 shots in Illinois

05/14/2021

Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced a donation of $4 million in Six Flags tickets will be used as an incentive to get more Illinoisans their COVID-19 vaccinations. The 50,000 tickets will be targeted to minority communities.

TAGS: COVID-19, JB Pritzker, Six Flags, vaccine

Free beer with your COVID-19 shot is aim of Illinois lawmakers

By Brad Weisenstein

05/12/2021

There is no such thing as free beer in Illinois, which is why state lawmakers are considering allowing one mug or another alcoholic beverage as a reward for getting a COVID-19 shot. State lawmakers have no plans to pick up the tab.

TAGS: beer, COVID-19, Illinois, vaccine

COVID-19 ‘Vax Pass’ idea getting nixed in Illinois, Pritzker says

By Brad Weisenstein

05/03/2021

After state and Chicago public health administrators floated the idea of vaccination passports, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker said it will not happen in the state. Chicago will offer the ‘Vax Pass’ for summer events to encourage COVID-19 immunizations.

TAGS: COVID-19, reopen, vaccine

Illinois public health officials considering ‘vaccine passport’

By Patrick Andriesen

04/30/2021

Earlier this week, Dr. Allison Arwady, Chicago’s public health commissioner, said the “Vax Pass” will be required to attend concerts and other summer events starting in May.

TAGS: COVID-19, IDPH: Illinois Department of Public Health, vaccine

COVID-19 ‘Vax Pass’ may be needed to see Chicago summer concerts, events

By Patrick Andriesen

04/28/2021

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.

TAGS: Chicago, COVID-19, reopen, vaccine

Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

Published June 3, 2025 EXECUTIVE SUMMARY The best path to empowerment and success, especially for poor people, is work. Work allows us to prosper while providing dignity, upward mobility, the means to support ourselves and create value for others. It’s how we become thriving members of our community. Central to this process is our education...

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Beyond degrees: Empowering Illinoisans through career-first education

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Allan Luzbetak

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students