Chicago and suburban Cook County moved from a high COVID-19 community level to “medium” based on the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday, “reflecting a dropping number of new cases and lower hospitalization rates in the region for COVID related illness,” according to an announcement from the Chicago Department of Public Health. Cases are trending down, and average daily hospital admissions have fallen below 10 per 100,000 people.  

Mayor Lori Lightfoot on Thursday announced her appointment of Willette Benford as the city’s new Director of Re-Entry. The position is “a newly created role that sits at the center of a $13 million initiative launched during the 2022 budget process that will transform Chicago into a national leader in supporting returning residents,” according to an announcement from the mayor’s office.