New Illinois mask mandate now in effect
Governor J.B. Pritzker reinstated the Illinois mask mandate during a rise in COVID-19 cases due to the Delta variant on Aug. 30.
All Illinois residents above the age of two are required to wear masks indoors, regardless of their vaccination status.
“Illinois will join several other states that have reinstituted statewide indoor mask requirements, regardless of vaccination status, effective on Monday,” said Pritzker at a press briefing held on Aug. 26. “Masks work. Period.”
Illinois Department of Public Health Director Dr. Ngozi Ezike believes that there are not many other options regarding safety, saying at the press briefing, “wearing a mask continues to be one of the simplest, cheapest ways to reduce the spread of COVID-19.”