On April 19, Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker has changed face-mask requirements on public transit.
According to a press release Windy City Times received, "To align with the ending of the enforcement of the federal mask mandate on public transportation following a federal court ruling, Gov. Pritzker announced he will revise Illinois' executive order lifting those requirements for [the state].
"As a result, masks will no longer be required on public transit, in public transit hubs or in airports. Executive Order 2022-06 will be amended to reflect these changes. Local municipalities retain the right to establish their own mitigations, including masking requirements on public transportation.
"I'm proud of the work our state has done to fight COVID-19 and protect our most vulnerable," said Pritzker. "I continue to urge Illinoisans to follow CDC guidelines and, most importantly, get vaccinated to protect yourself and others."
The Chicago Tribune noted that Chicago Department of Aviation, which oversees Midway and O'Hare International airports, has also dropped requirements—as have the CTA and Metra, as well as Amtrak or the South Shore commuter line to northern Indiana. Also, masks are currently optional on Uber and Lyft rides.
On April 18, U.S. District Judge Kathryn Kimball Mizelle—a Donald Trump appointee—struck down the Biden Administration's COVID mask mandate for airplanes and other public transport methods. The U.S. Justice Department said it would not appeal the ruling unless the CDC believes the requirement is still necessary.
