BACP COVID-19 Resources Center

This is the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) resources page for City of Chicago Businesses, Consumers and Employees impacted by the Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) Outbreak.

BACP is working with Federal, State and County agencies to provide business support options, and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) to communicate updated guidance for the businesses, consumers and employees affected by this crisis.

This is a rapidly evolving situation, and this page will be updated regularly with new resources. For up-to-date health guidance, please visit www.chicago.gov/coronavirus.

	UPDATES & RESOURCES FOR BUSINESSES
	LATEST UPDATES July 31, 2020 \| Mayor Lightfoot, BACP and CDOT Announce Expansion of Outdoor Dining Program Read the FAQ Apply Today July 22, 2020 \| City Council Passes Ordinance to Further Extend Licenses that Expire during the COVID-19 Outbreak Read the Industry Notice July 20, 2020 \| City of Chicago Reinstates Targeted COVID-19 Restrictions to Help Combat Recent Rise in Community Cases July 10, 2020 \| City of Chicago Amends Liquor Curfew to require Bars and Restaurants to Close at 12:00 am Read the Order Read the Industry Notice June 22, 2020 \| Mayor Lightfoot and CDPH Announce Chicago Ready to Move to Phase Four on Friday, June 26 Industry Guidelines for Reopening Outdoor Dining and Drinking FAQ BACP Webinars June 17, 2020 \| City Council Approves Latest Measures to Support Businesses Impacted by COVID-19 Cocktails To-Go Legalized Sidewalk Cafe Reforms March 19, 2020 \| All BACP offices are closed to the public until further notice
	RESOURCES Reopening Chicago \| The City of Chicago has developed detailed industry guidance for businesses to reopen safely as we prepare to move to Phase Four of the Reopening Chicago Framework. Industry Guidelines for Reopening BACP Reopening Webinars Be Safe. Chicago: Business Self-Certification Outdoor Dining and Drinking FAQ Expanded Outdoor Dining Permit Health Resources \| The Chicago Department of Public Health has a series of resources to assist residents and businesses during the COVID-19 outbreak. Coronavirus Resource Center Guidance for Businesses and Employers What to do if you have a COVID-19 case at your establishment Resource Navigators \| The City of Chicago has established Small Business Resource Navigators to provide 1:1 assistance to small businesses looking for support during this difficult time. Business Education Webinars \| BACP is hosting a series of webinars to provide supportive resources to businesses and workers during the COVID-19 outbreak. COVID-19 Surcharges \| Businesses may increase their prices a reasonable amount due to COVID-19. However, this price increase must be disclosed prior to purchase, and businesses cannot claim that this surchage is a tax. Furthermore, please read the Department of Finance's Restaurant Tax Guidance for COVID-19 Surcharges. Business Licensing \| As the Department of Public Health recommends Social Distancing, BACP wants to remind business owners of the availability of online resources to support licensing. Please visit Chicago Business Direct to apply for or renew a license online. Learn more about how to use Chicago Business Direct.

	UPDATES & RESOURCES FOR CONSUMERS
	LATEST UPDATES May 12, 2020 \| Mayor Lightfoot and BACP Announce New Rules to Increase Transparency of Third-Party Food Delivery Companies For Consumers Read the Rules Read the Industry Notice March 16, 2020 \| BACP issued an alert to warn consumers to be aware of consumer fraud related to COVID-19 outbreak, such as false advertising and price gouging. Consumers should avoid products advertised as a cure or a vaccine for COVID-19 and should report false advertising or price gouging to BACP. BACP urges consumers to submit consumer fraud complaints to BACP via 3-1-1 or at www.chicago.gov/bacp. The Illinois Attorney General’s Office has also warned against COVID-19 scams. Consumers can also submit complaints: To the Illinois Attorney General’s Office’s website; By calling the Consumer Fraud Hotline (1-800-386-5438).
	RESOURCES COVID-19 Surcharges \| Businesses may increase their prices a reasonable amount due to COVID-19. However, this price increase must be disclosed prior to purchase, and businesses cannot claim that this surchage is a tax. Furthermore, please read the Department of Finance's Restaurant Tax Guidance for COVID-19 Surcharges. BACP Consumer Protection \| BACP protects consumers from fraud by resolving complaints and taking action against fraudulent businesses. Know Before You... \| BACP promotes consumer awareness through education and information to help consumers protect themselves.

	UPDATES & RESOURCES FOR EMPLOYEES
	LATEST UPDATES July 1, 2020 \| Chicago's Landmark Labor Laws Come Into Effect May 20, 2020 \| City Council Approves Anti-Retaliation Ordinance to protect workers during COVID-19 Outbreak Read the Industry Notice (Español) Read the Ordinance The United States Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) has taken effect as of April 1, 2020. The FFCRA will give all American businesses with fewer than 500 employees funds to provide employees with paid leave, either for the employee’s own health needs or to care for family members. Fact Sheet for Employers (Español) Fact Sheet for Employees (Español) Frequently Asked Questions Chicago’s Paid Sick Leave Law requires Chicago employers to allow employees to accrue at least one hour of paid sick leave for each forty hours worked. Furthermore, the law says that employees can use sick time when they or a family member or sick, if their place of business is closed or if their child’s school is closed due to a public health emergency. Know Your Rights during the COVID-19 Outbreak The Illinois Department of Employment Security has recently adopted emergency rules to try to make the unemployment insurance system as responsive to the current situation as possible. Please visit their website for more information.
	RESOURCES Chicago Paid Sick Leave\| Chicago's Paid Sick Leave Law requires Chicago employers to provide paid sick leave: Know Your Rights during the COVID-19 Outbreak File a Complaint by: Calling 3-1-1 Using CHI 311, or Filling out a Complaint Form Federal Paid Sick Leave \| The United States Families First Coronavirus Response Act (FFCRA) is effective April 1, 2020: Read the Press Release Fact Sheet for Employers (Español) Fact Sheet for Employees (Español) Frequently Asked Questions Unemployment Insurance \| The Illinois Department of Employment Security (IDES) handles unemployment benefits for the State of Illinois If you have questions about Unemployment Insurance, please call the IDES Customer Service Center at 800-244-5631 or 866-488-4016 TTY. File a complaint online COVID-19 and Unemployment Benefit FAQ Domestic Workers \| Domestic workers are facing unique challenges due to the COVID-19 Outbreak. Resources for Domestic Workers on the Coronavirus Pandemic How to be a Fair Employer to Domestic Workers during the COVID-19 Outbreak

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