Congregations across the city plan distanced, virtual ways to safely observe Ash Wednesday (LIVE UPDATES)

Latest Ash Wednesday traditions adapt to the pandemic This year, celebrants are advised to sprinkle ashes on parishioners’ heads, as is done in Europe, or mark a person’s forehead with the ashes using a cotton ball or disposable, and non-plastic, Q-tip. AP Photos

Tomorrow marks the start of Lent, but Ash Wednesday traditions will look a little different this year across the city as churches find creative ways to observe the holy day amid the pandemic.

The Archdiocese of Chicago announced new protocols for distributing ashes, which are typically applied to foreheads in the shape of a cross. This year, celebrants are advised to sprinkle ashes on parishioners’ heads, as is done in Europe, or mark a person’s forehead with the ashes using a cotton ball or disposable, and non-plastic, Q-tip.

Bishop Robert Casey, who serves as vicar general for the archdiocese, said Ash Wednesday holds greater significance this year because of a desire for community support. The holy day is meant to remind Christians of their mortality — which he said bears a new meaning amid the pandemic and the city’s ever-growing death toll.

“In these months, we have come to see even more visibly — in our lives and in our world — our vulnerability and our mortality,” Casey said. “[Lent] is a moment to improve our connection to God and improve our connection to one another.”

Read the full story from Isabelle Sarraf here.

News 9:26 a.m. CPS to resume in-person classes Wednesday

Hours after a winter storm walloped much of the city with more than a foot of snow, Chicago Public Schools announced that in-person classes would resume Wednesday.

“Our building engineers and facilities team have been working diligently to clear sidewalks and parking lots of snow and ensure all school buildings are warm, safe, and fully ready to welcome students and staff back to school,” the district wrote in an email to parents.

The district added that bus transportation will operate a normal, as will CPS Child Learning Hubs and Grab-and-Go meal sites.

Another round of snow that passed through the area from late Monday into early Tuesday prompted the district to cancel in-person classes on Tuesday.

Read the full story from Sam Charles here.

9:20 a.m. Census delay creates redistricting uncertainty

SPRINGFIELD — Illinois lawmakers are required to draw new legislative and congressional district maps this year, but that process may be thrown into chaos because of delays in producing the census numbers needed to draw equal districts.

The U.S. Census Bureau announced Friday that due to the COVID-19 pandemic and other delays, it will not be able to deliver the detailed, block-level data that states need for redistricting until Sept. 30, long past the deadline spelled out in the Illinois Constitution for the General Assembly to approve new maps.

That’s also a full month after candidates are scheduled to begin circulating petitions to run for office and qualify for the March 15, 2022, primary election. The petition period begins Aug. 31 and filing begins Nov. 22, according to a spokesperson for the Illinois State Board of Elections.

“The Constitution says that the Legislature shall redistrict by law the year after the decennial census. So it’s pretty straightforward on that,” said Rep. Tim Butler, R-Springfield, one of the Republican House caucus’ lead negotiators on redistricting. “I’m sure 50 years ago (when the Illinois Constitution was written), they didn’t anticipate the problems that we would have over the past year with the pandemic and so on.”

Read the full story here.

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