The Illinois State Board of Education on Wednesday adopted a resolution requiring daily in-person learning next school year with limited exceptions for remote learning. Several parents speaking at the ISBE meeting had implored the board to reject the proposal, in part to account for children who may still be too young to receive a COVID-19 vaccine.

Though some board members expressed reservations about the resolution’s language during an hourlong discussion, they voted unanimously in favor. Their concerns, however, raise questions about options left for families in the absence of pandemic-related allowances, such as when Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s disaster proclamation lifts.

Meanwhile, two of the largest Chicago hotels that closed early in the COVID-19 pandemic are preparing to reopen next month, a sign of hope for the battered downtown hospitality industry.

Here’s what’s happening Thursday with COVID-19 in the Chicago area:

8:12 a.m.: Masks no longer required in Wisconsin government buildings beginning June 1

New guidance from Gov. Tony Evers’ administration says people vaccinated for COVID-19 will no longer be required to wear masks in the state Capitol and most other state facilities beginning on June 1.

The updated guidance for state government follows advice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that those who are fully vaccinated can go without masks and can forgo social distancing for most indoor and outdoor activities.

The new state recommendations say all unvaccinated individuals, including both state employees and members of the public, should continue to wear face coverings while in state facilities. Also, unvaccinated employees are required to wear masks in other enclosed buildings while on state business.

The Department of Administration advises that state employees are encouraged to work from home through at least July 4.

7:45 a.m.: Navy Pier enters second phase of reopening

Navy Pier’s the indoor hallways and spaces were scheduled to reopen Thursday, with select businesses and retail stores following, as the second phase of the pier’s planned reopening, according to pier officials.

The pier is scheduled to be open from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. Sundays through Thursdays and 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday and Saturday, according to the pier’s website.

The phased reopening continuing Thursday has “the goal of being fully open by Memorial Day weekend,” according to a news release earlier this week.

The pier already is holding Saturday fireworks shows, and was expected to start offering them on Wednesdays, as was done for years before the pandemic, staring after Memorial Day.

Read more here. — Chicago Tribune staff

6 a.m.: Vaccinated Nats player tests positive for COVID-19

An unidentified Washington Nationals player who is vaccinated and asymptomatic has tested positive for COVID-19, manager Dave Martinez said Wednesday.

That player was deemed to have been in close contact with another Nationals player who is not vaccinated. Martinez said neither player would have been in the starting lineup against the Chicago Cubs and neither was available off the bench.

The Nationals placed right-handed pitchers Erick Fedde and Tanner Rainey on the injured list before the game. Righties Kyle McGowin and Paolo Espina were activated from Washington’s taxi squad.

When either affected player might return is unclear. Martinez thought the vaccinated player, who he said “feels fine,” might be available in a few days. The unvaccinated player may need to quarantine.

Washington players were tested for COVID-19 on Monday. —Associated Press

6 a.m.: Oooh Wee It Is in Chatham features rare cereals and pot roast cupcakes. The line’s been out the door since March.

Oooh Wee It Is opens every day except Monday in Chatham at exactly 11 a.m. But unless you want to wait in a long line, you might try arriving even earlier. When I showed up on a random Tuesday at 10:58 a.m., the line stretched out the door and into the parking lot.

“It’s like that every single day,” said Mark Walker, who co-owns the restaurant with his wife, Shae Walker.

In fact, when we spoke on a recent Wednesday afternoon, the wait was over two hours. That’s impressive for any restaurant, especially for one that just opened its doors Feb. 28. But behind the restaurant’s phenomenal success has been years of hard work, a successful pandemic pivot and one incredible sweet tea recipe.

Here are some recent stories related to COVID-19.