Guv Rumored to Announce Dropping of Mask Mandate Today

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker is expected to unveil a plan as early as today to drop the state's indoor mask mandate.

According to sources with knowledge of the announcement, the governor will announce a phased plan to drop the indoor mask mandate in most settings, but that plan will not include a repeal of the mask mandate in public schools.

Sources indicate that the plan is to have the mandate dropped before March 1.

The governor said that hospitalization reductions would be key to removing the mandate, and after peaking at more than 7,300 COVID hospitalizations, there are now fewer than 3,000 patients currently COVID-positive in Illinois hospitals.