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Illinois mask mandate amended by Gov. Pritzker to make masking voluntary on transit, in airports

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CHICAGO (WLS) — Governor JB Pritzker amended Illinois’ public transit masks mandate to align with the ruling made by a Florida decide placing down the federal masks mandate Monday.

In an announcement, Pritzker’s workplace mentioned the order has been revised “to align with the ending of the enforcement of the federal masks mandate on public transportation.” Consequently, the state will now not require masks to be worn on public transit, in public transit hubs or in airports.

The governor’s officer reiterated that “native municipalities retain the correct to ascertain their very own mitigations, together with masking necessities on public transportation.”

Whereas TSA will now not implement the CDC’s masking advice, Chicago Well being Commissioner Dr. Allison Arwady suggested vacationers to proceed to put on masks on planes even when they are not required to.

Whereas Chicago COVID circumstances are creeping up once more, hospitalizations stay low so at this level the town has no plans to reinstate an indoor masks mandate.

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After the governor made his announcement, Metra issued a brand new assertion saying partly, “Beginning instantly, masks can be welcome however not required whereas touring on Metra trains. They continue to be an necessary safety measure towards COVID-19.”

CTA and the Chicago Division of Aviation, who each mentioned Monday they are going to proceed to require masks, haven’t but responded to Pritzker’s up to date order.

The ever-changing guidelines had some commuters feeling a little bit of whiplash Tuesday morning.

“I do suppose it is complicated. It is most likely simply a kind of issues the place you retain a masks in your again pocket ‘trigger you actually do not know — form of what are the principles, what are the rules?” Metra rider Jenna Little requested.

“You might be sitting in shut proximity and it is crowded generally, sure, everybody wants a masks on public transportation,” mentioned Cassandra Muhammad, CTA rider.

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READ MORE: Florida decide voids US COVID-19 masks mandate for planes, public transportation

CTA rider Michael Davenport thinks it is an inconvenience and is attempting to observe the principles.

“I do not wish to put on it. I am uninterested in it, so, like I mentioned, I put on and generally I simply overlook about it and do not put on it,” he mentioned.

However CTA and Metra rider Frankie Vega mentioned he appears like sporting a masks is one thing “we gotta do.”

“Maintain the masks up and ensure everyone stays as wholesome as doable so we are able to take pleasure in spring and summer time,” he mentioned.

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Metra rider Pam Hudson agreed.

“If the principles are equivalent to it’s a must to put on it, if it makes folks really feel comfy — superb. Even I really feel a sure degree measure of consolation sporting it,” she mentioned.

Many at Halfway airport ditched their face coverings Tuesday morning, and Denise Little hope Metra may even drop its requirement.

“It is time to simply take the bandage off, and let’s simply say it is time,” she mentioned.

Who’s and is not requiring masks?

CTA, Metra and The Chicago Division of Aviation all mentioned Monday they are going to proceed to require riders put on masks.

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The South Shore Line initially mentioned it could additionally require masks, however modified course and launched an announcement later Monday night time saying it could not be requiring passengers to put on masks when using its trains.

Amtrak can be lifting its masks requirement, as are Uber and Lyft.

Riders are now not required to take a seat within the again seat in Ubers. Nonetheless, to present drivers house, the corporate mentioned riders ought to solely use the entrance seat if it is required due to the dimensions of their group.

Tempo remains to be requiring masks be worn.

Many airways, together with United, American and Delta, are already lifting the mandate for passengers and staff in airports and on all home flights. They may even not require masks on worldwide routes except the arrival nation requires them.

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WATCH: Native physician weighs in on masks mandate modifications

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Chicago, IL

2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say

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2 women found dead in Englewood home after fire, Chicago fire officials say
ByABC7 Chicago Digital Crew by way of

Wednesday, November 23, 2022 3:26AM

FILE photograph: View of the Chicago Hearth Division, the third largest municipal hearth division in america of America, within the Chinatown neighborhood on Sept. 24, 2014.

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CHICAGO (WLS) — Chicago hearth officers mentioned two ladies have been discovered lifeless in an Englewood house after a home hearth.

The fireplace broke out Tuesday night at a home within the 7200-block of South Wolcott, Chicago hearth officers mentioned.

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The fireplace was struck out at about 9:10 p.m., CFD mentioned.

After the fireplace was out, firefighters discovered two grownup feminine victims lifeless within the wreckage.

It was not instantly clear if the ladies died within the hearth or earlier than the fireplace. No additional particulars have been launched.

The Chicago Hearth Division has not but commented on any potential causes for the fireplace or mentioned in the event that they consider it was suspicious.

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Chicago, IL

3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

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3 women united by Highland Park shooting now lobby for assault weapon ban

HIGHLAND PARK, Ailing. (WLS) — Three ladies and their households had been good strangers up till the second tragedy introduced them collectively within the aftermath of Highland Park’s July 4th parade.

As Thanksgiving approaches, they’re united in goal and in gratitude for probably the most primary of all issues: life.

“I believed I used to be going to die,” Highland Park capturing survivor Liz Turnipseed mentioned. “That I used to be going to put there and I used to be going to bleed out and I used to be going to die.”

WATCH | Highland Park capturing survivor tells her story

“I used to be on the parade with my three grownup kids, my son-in-law and my 2-year-old grand child,” mentioned Debra Baum, with the Highland Park Gun Violence Mission. “Our complete household may have been worn out.”

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“July third I had 70 folks at my home and the following day our life bought flipped the other way up,” capturing survivor Lindsay Hartman mentioned. “So I simply know for me, I am attempting to take pleasure in it and never spend an excessive amount of time previously.”

SEE ALSO | Highland Park parade capturing short-term memorial opens subsequent to metropolis corridor

For Lindsay, not spending an excessive amount of time previously means internet hosting Thanksgiving for 30. Liz, who was one of many almost 50 folks injured that day, nonetheless wants a cane to get round, so she’ll be catering the meal and having her complete household fly in. Debra shall be coming along with the identical household she was with on July 4.

“There are numerous households in Highland Park that do not have folks with them this Thanksgiving due to what occurred,” Baum mentioned. “It is a very weighty realization.”

However there’s additionally gratitude for random issues and other people, like for the proper strangers who took in Liz’s 3-year-old daughter for a few hours after she was shot. And the neighbor she’d by no means met earlier than who lent her a step stool for her mattress.

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Turning ache into goal is what unites these ladies now as they foyer for an assault weapons ban in Congress. As a result of whereas life for them won’t ever be the identical, it does transfer on.

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Chicago, IL

Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

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Biden to extend student loan repayment freeze as relief program is tied up in courts

Tuesday, November 22, 2022 8:52PM

WASHINGTON D.C. — The Biden administration is but once more extending the pause on federal scholar mortgage funds, a profit that started in March 2020 to assist individuals who have been struggling financially because of the Covid-19 pandemic, a supply conversant in the plan mentioned.

The Division of Training will announce it’s extending the freeze one other six months with the primary funds due two months after June 30, the supply mentioned, until a Supreme Courtroom resolution on the president’s scholar mortgage aid program comes first.

The administration had beforehand mentioned the latest extension could be the final, and funds have been scheduled to restart in January.

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However the administration had additionally meant for its scholar mortgage forgiveness program to start canceling as much as $20,000 in debt for low- and middle-income debtors earlier than January. This system has but to be carried out because it faces a number of authorized challenges.

This story is breaking and can be up to date.

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