Masks No Longer Required In 'Most Settings' In Illinois: Pritzker

ILLINOIS — Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Monday the state would align its mask mandate with the Centers for Disease Control's updated guidelines, meaning vaccinated Illinoisans will no longer be required to wear a face mask in most settings.

Illinois' mask mandate went into effect a little over a year ago. In a surprise announcement last week, the CDC removed many masking recommendations on the federal level. Pritzker's administration responded to the announcement by showing support, but took a few days to officially change state rules.

"Getting vaccinated is the ultimate protection from COVID-19 and the quickest ticket back to normal life," said Pritzker in a statement. "With public health experts now saying fully vaccinated people can safely remove their masks in most settings, I'm pleased to follow the science."

The CDC still recommends masks in healthcare settings, large groups and on public transit. The Illinois State Board of Education and the Illinois Department of Children and Family Services will not remove the mask mandate in public schools or in daycares.

Since the announcement came with few specific guidelines — such as how companies would know if a customer was vaccinated or what to do around children younger than 12, a group that hasn't been approved to receive a COVID vaccine — Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot said the city needs more information before changing its rules on masks.

UPDATED: Fully Vaccinated People Don't Need To Wear Masks In Chicago: CDPH

"We've got to make sure that people are continuing to follow the public health guidance that has gotten us this far and masks I think are a big and important part of that," Lightfoot said on MSNBC on Monday. "To say, well, if you’re vaccinated, you don’t have to wear a mask, that’s great, but what about all the other people that are out there that aren’t vaccinated and there's no way to know that?"

Pritzker also said he would judge his need for a mask based on the company he is in.

"I also support the choice of individuals and businesses to continue to mask out of an abundance of caution as this pandemic isn't over yet," he said.

Last Friday was the first day of Illinois' "Bridge Phase," the precursor to a full reopening planned for June 11. Chicago is allowed to have rules separate from the state guidelines, and while Lightfoot has not announced a date when masks will no longer be required within city limits, said she hopes to reopen Chicago by July 4.

"The virus is still here, the virus is still real, we’re still seeing deaths every day, so we can’t afford to feel like the virus is gone and suddenly we can just go back to 2019," Lightfoot said.

State health officials reported 946 new confirmed and probable cases of COVID-19 Monday, only the second time this year that there have been fewer than 1,000 cases recorded in a single day.

The Illinois Department of Public Health is also removing emergency rules in the Control of Communicable Disease Code that enforce masking and distancing for vaccinated people in business settings.

As of today, more than 4.6 million Illinoisans are fully vaccinated — 58 percent of residents ages 16 and up, 64 percent of residents ages 18 and up and 86 percent of residents ages 65 and up, according to public health officials.

Related: Costco, Walmart, Trader Joe's: U.S. Stores Drop Masks For Vaccinated