As of Friday, June 11, 2021, the State of Illinois, including the Village of Skokie, moves to Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois plan. This move is possible because of declining rates of COVID-19 infections and hospitalizations, and that more than 50 percent of Illinois residents age 16 and over have been vaccinated. In Skokie, 60 percent of residents are fully vaccinated.
See a June 10, 2021 press release from the Cook County Department of Public Health about the move to Phase 5. Here is an excerpt from the release:
The Cook County Department of Public Health is issuing COVID-19 Phase 5 reopening guidance removing all capacity limits and restrictions on all sectors of the economy. This guidance is effective Friday, June 11, 2021. Suburban Cook County has met Phase 5 guidelines, including vaccination of at least 50 percent of residents ages 16 and older, and stable or declining COVID-19 metrics recorded during a 28-day period.
“It’s been a long 18 months, but we continue see a steady improvement in metrics while the vaccination rates have climbed, which allows us to return to a more normal way of life,” said Dr. Rachel Rubin, Senior Public Health Medical Officer and Co-Lead, Cook County Department of Public Health.
Conventions, festivals, and other large events can proceed at full capacity. Phase 5 allows businesses, schools, and recreation to resume normal operations with new state safety guidance and procedures, including
- For businesses and venues where everyone present is fully vaccinated, the state does not require face coverings and social distancing in both indoor and outdoor settings.
- Businesses and municipalities are permitted to continue requiring face coverings and social distancing as they deem appropriate.
- For businesses and venues where everyone present is not fully vaccinated, unvaccinated persons should wear a face covering and maintain six feet social distancing.
- Businesses and venues may continue to require face coverings and/or social distancing. At outdoor businesses and venues, unvaccinated persons may choose not to wear a face covering when able to maintain a six-foot social distance when outdoors, unless required to do so by a business or municipality.
- Individuals in schools, day care settings, and educational institutions should continue to follow separate guidance issued by the Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Department of Children and Family Services, and Illinois Department of Public Health.
Below is an excerpt from information on the move to Phase 5 issued by the State of Illinois:
Following weeks of steady decreases in new positive COVID-19 cases and with over 67% of residents age 18 and older receiving their first vaccine dose, Governor JB Pritzker is releasing guidelines for Phase 5 of the Restore Illinois plan, which will go into effect on June 11th and marks a full reopening of all businesses and activities. This guidance will mean businesses, large-scale events, conventions, amusement parks, and seated-spectator venues, among others, will be able to operate at full capacity for the first time since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. The State is also lifting the outdoor mask requirement in schools in accordance with the Centers for Disease Control (CDC).
This guidance comes as Illinois has recently reached a test positivity rate of less than 2 percent, more than half of the population has been fully vaccinated, and key hospitalization metrics have been declining since early May.
Upon entering Phase 5, fully vaccinated people can resume activities without wearing a mask except where required by federal, state, local, tribal, or territorial laws, rules and regulations, including local business and workplace guidance. The State will continue to recommend masking for unvaccinated persons, and require it for all people while traveling on public transportation, in congregate settings, in health care settings, as well as in schools, day cares, and educational institutions pursuant to the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) and CDC guidance. Businesses and local municipalities can put in place additional mitigations as they deem appropriate.
Phase 5 also marks the return of traditional conventions, festivals, and large events without capacity restrictions. Large gatherings of all sizes can resume across all industry settings, and Phase 5 removes requirements that businesses institute mandatory social distancing in seated venues as well as daily health screenings of employees and visitors. Businesses and venues should continue to allow for social distancing to the extent possible, especially indoors. Businesses and venues may also continue to put in place additional public health mitigations as they deem appropriate, including requiring face coverings.
While the entry to Phase 5 signals an end to business and activity specific guidance requiring social distancing, health screening and other required operational shifts, Illinois will continue to recommend face coverings for unvaccinated persons, as well as all individuals while (1) on planes, buses, trains, and other forms of public transportation and in transportation hubs, such as airports and train and bus stations; (2) in congregate facilities such as correctional facilities, veterans’ homes, and long-term care facilities, group homes, and residential facilities; and (3) in healthcare settings.
See more information from the State of Illinois.
See IDPH Phase 5 guidance for businesses and venues.