Both Governor J.B. Pritzker and Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot expect a very different summer from 2020.
Speaking today at a press conference discussing the return of the Chicago Auto Show in July, both indicated that their timelines for “full re-opening” center around July 4.
The Chicago Auto Show will go on this year (July 15), but, as with many other large events that will get the go-ahead this summer, it will retain some mitigation remnants.
The show will take place both indoors and outside this year, in a nod to COVID mitigation. Additionally, masks will be required, as they will be for most events, according to Lightfoot.
Capacity limits are in large part expected to go back to pre-epidemic levels this summer, however.
The state’s re-opening metrics are all declining and within pre-set parameters for the “bridge” phase of the Governor’s re-opening plan. The key metric at this point, according to the Governor, is hospitalizations, which have also been declining as the rate of vaccinations has increased and the epidemic has waned somewhat.
However, health officials are concerned about indications that demand for vaccinations is weakening, putting into jeopardy a complete return to normalcy.
