Just as two highly contagious COVID-19 strains have taken over case rates in our region, state officials and at least one big event organizer have chosen to further relax mitigation rules.

Why it matters: BA.4 and BA.5 now make up more than 80% of our area's COVID cases. The strains are more contagious, leading some to warn about outdoor transmission. They're also better able to evade current vaccines and antibodies from a previous infection.

• Chicago is seeing its highest test positivity levels since January's Omicron surge, and statewide COVID hospitalizations have more than doubled since April.
• Plus, just 37.5% of the city has received booster shots.

Driving the news: Gov. J.B. Pritzker recently announced vaccination mandate relaxations for public higher education students and staffers.

• And the Pitchfork Music Festival, which expects 60,000 to gather in Union Park this weekend starting today, is no longer requiring proof of vaccination or testing.

Zoom in: Positivity and testing stats were removed from the city's main dashboard this week because, as health commissioner Allison Arwady noted, they only reflect tests done in public facilities, while "most people at this point are using home COVID tests."

• You can still find the data. You just have to dig deeper into the website.

💭 Justin's thought bubble: It's hard to understand why the city and state are relaxing the sparse COVID restrictions we have in place when it's pretty clear the new variants are wreaking havoc.

• The takeaway: You are on your own.

👋 Hi, it's Justin! This weekend's Pitchfork Music Festival features huge bands like The National, Japanese Breakfast, Mitski and The Roots.

• Heading to the festival? Here are a few local acts to check out:

Jeff Parker & the New Breed: Parker is an experimental jazz mainstay from his days in legendary local band Tortoise. Even though he now lives in L.A., the multi-instrumentalist has contributed so much to Chicago's music scene.

• He kicks off the Saturday festivities at 1pm on the Green Stage.

Kaina: The singer-songwriter, part of our amazing indie-music scene, has come into her own with "It Was a Home." The album was produced by Sen Morimoto and features a collaboration with Sleater-Kinney.

• Kaina plays Sunday at 2:30pm on the Green Stage.

Noname: The spoken-word/hip-hop artist may have the most ironic name in music. She's been on everyone's radar since her 2016 debut mixtape "Telefone," guested on Chance the Rapper's "Finish Line/Drown" and performed on "SNL."

• She performs Sunday at 5:15pm on the Red Stage.

If you go: Check out what you can and can't bring into the park.

Chicago's U.S. attorney is suing the Cubs, alleging disability law violations stemming from renovations to Wrigley Field. (NBC 5)

🍺 Ald. Brian Hopkins (2nd) is considering revoking late-night licenses for 5am bars in River North due to recent shootings. (Block Club)

✅ Former state Rep. Dan Burke is hoping his brother, Ald. Ed Burke (14th), doesn't run for re-election. (Sun-Times)

🎵 The famed Silver Room Block Party returns this weekend for the first time since 2019. It moved to Oakwood Beach to accommodate the large crowds. (Tribune)

👋 Hey, it's Monica. Like a lot of Chicago parents, I sang and danced around the living room to Justin Roberts songs for years.

• Most of the time, I was with my children.

Why it matters: The stellar singer-songwriter celebrates his 25th year in kids music today with the release of his 16th album, "Space Cadet."

• With power-pop gems about fire trucks, dance parties and a "Whole Lotta Love in This World," the album delivers a mix of fun and reassurance that goodness still exists.

As the longtime Chicagoan — now Evanstonian — gears up for an Aug. 20 concert at Ravinia, he took the time to describe his perfect day in the city.

🍳 Breakfast: "At home frying eggs a la Jacques Pépin served with toasted Hewn bread and meticulously made pour-over coffee with JBC Coffee beans from Wisconsin."

• "I made so much pour-over during the pandemic that my son Eli thought it was a game and started making coffee (with cold water) for fun."

🚲 Morning activity: "Bike ride down Lake Michigan. Miniature golfing at Millennium Park or a visit to the Art Institute."

• "I also love kayaking down the Chicago River. It feels pretty incredible to be in the middle of downtown with nothing but a paddle to propel yourself through the city."

🌮 Lunch: "We would magically be back in our neighborhood in Evanston and order some carnitas tacos and a salad from La Principal and sit outside."

• "They've been blocking off Custer street (near Main Street) lately and there is outdoor seating at three Main Street restaurants."
• "In the evenings, there is always someone DJing amazing records from Squeezebox Books and it's a lovely vibe that makes you appreciate the summer."

Read the rest of Justin Roberts' Best Day Ever.

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As we head into National Tattoo Day, we're putting out a call for pictures of Chicago-themed body art.

• When other Axios Local newsletters, including our friends in Atlanta, put out a similar request, they got lots of cool tattoo pictures back.
• And we think (know) you and your friends have just as much enthusiasm for our town.

📫 Send us pictures so we can showcase them!