Good morning, Chicago. On Tuesday, Illinois officials reported 2,082 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 and 20 additional fatalities. State public health officials also said that 58,189 COVID-19 vaccinations were administered Monday — a significantly higher daily number than a week ago.
Meanwhile, Chicago officials moved two states and one territory down from the “orange” tier into the “yellow” stage on the city’s emergency travel order list. Here’s what that means.
Here’s more coronavirus news and other top stories you need to know to start your day.
For your smart speaker | Join our COVID-19 Facebook group | More newsletters | Puzzles & Games | Daily horoscope
Chicago Teachers Union members have voted two-to-one in favor of a reopening deal with Chicago Public Schools, signaling that in-person classes can resume Thursday as planned. Under the agreement’s framework, the first group of students and staff — pre-K and special education cluster programs — returns on Thursday.
“We did not get what we wanted or what we deserved,” CTU President Jesse Sharkey said. “We got what we were able to take. CTU members fought hard and sacrificed for this, so we have to protect and use it.”
As CTU passes school reopening deal, CPS families on both sides of debate say mistrust and skepticism are high: ‘Why would I believe them now?’
Chicago’s public health Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady on Tuesday again implored people to stop sharing vaccine appointment codes at its city-run sites, a recurring issue that she said has caused logistical headaches for her staff and taken up slots from people who are actually eligible.
Walgreens COVID-19 vaccine site back up after technical problems Tuesday
Gov. J.B. Pritzker won’t seek to raise income taxes or overall spending in budget proposal
Coming off the defeat of his signature graduated-rate income tax proposal in November, Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker is preparing to present a budget plan to lawmakers next week that doesn’t increase overall state spending or raise the flat-rate income tax from the current 4.95%. Here are the details on Pritzker’s proposal.
As demand for real estate has led to a surge in home sales in Chicago, the industry is one of few to escape the brunt of the pandemic so far. At Chicago-based real estate brokerages, new agents are meeting that demand — and sometimes, that new career is proving to be a lifeline amid a tough economy.
Former Obama adviser David Axelrod lists South Loop condo for $1.65 million
Hecky Powell believed in divine order, as does his wife Cheryl Judice, owner of Hecky’s Barbecue. They opened the restaurant almost 40 years ago in Evanston, just north of Chicago. A lifelong champion and challenger of the progressive suburb north of the city, Powell died at 71 last May of COVID-19 complications. Now, Judice carries on their famed Evanston restaurant with help from her kids, sister-in-law and longtime employees.
‘Right now, we are pulling our own’: How Chicago’s Black-owned restaurants have fared during the pandemic
