Reopening Businesses Portal
IMPORTANT CHICAGO REOPENING NOTICE
The State of Illinois has announced that Chicago can move to Phase 4 without any mitigation measures, effective January 31, 2021. These restrictions are the most up to date and take precedence over the industry-specific guidelines if there are points of contradiction.
Click here to view all up-to-date Phase IV Capacity Guidelines
The following industries or activities may continue operating under the following regulations:
- Bars and Restaurants: Can reopen indoors at lesser of 40% or 50 people per space. Food must be available at all times in order to offer indoor service. Bars, taverns or breweries without a food license can reopen indoors as long as they partner with a food establishment (e.g., making menus available and allowing delivery, allowing patrons to order from third-party delivery services). Table size limited to no more than six people per table indoors and outdoors. Bar seating allowed with 6ft distance between parties. Indoor events allowed at 40% capacity with no more than 50 individuals, while following indoor dining guidelines.
- Retail stores: 40% capacity
- Grocery Stores and Pharmacies: 50% capacity (note: big box store that sell a combination of general retail, groceries and/or pharmacies among other goods must operate at 40% capacity)
- Places of worship: Limit each indoor space to 50 individuals, while practicing social distancing, or 40% capacity (whichever is fewer). However, special events such as weddings, potlucks, and other community events are limited to 40% capacity with no more than 50 guests indoors and outdoors.
- Health and Fitness Centers: 40% capacity with no more than 50 people per space; group classes allowed with no more than 15 individuals per group; Locker rooms and showers can remain open if strict and frequent cleaning measures are in place; Close ancillary accommodations, including saunas, hot tubs, and steam rooms, where social distancing is not possible.
- Personal Services: Limit to 50 individuals or 40% capacity, whichever is fewer. If a service requires the removal of face coverings (e.g., facials, beard trimmings) employee must wear both a mask and eye protection (e.g. face shield, protective glasses). Physical, occupational and massage therapy allowed.
- Outdoor Activities: Outdoor museums, performance venues and other outdoor activities can continue at 40% capacity with a maximum of 100 individuals. Group sizes are limited to 50 people or less, with total capacity limited to 100 people, while social distancing.
- Out-of-School Programs: Indoor group exercise or fitness classes capped at 15 individuals (e.g., dance, yoga). Programs in which participants are primarily seated/stationery may continue in cohorts of up to 15 people (e.g., painting, creative writing, homework help).
- Libraries: Considered an essential service as they support Chicagoans needing support with remote learning, job searching, temporary refuge for weather relief, securing needed benefits and resources. Libraries may remain open at 25% indoor capacity with protective measures in place to ensure the health and safety of the public and staff. See chipublib.org for more details.
Bars, restaurants and other establishments with a Tavern or Consumption on Premises-Incidental Activity license can sell alcohol on-site or to-go until 11:00 pm, with all patrons off premises by midnight.
Liquor stores, grocery stores and other establishments with a Package Goods license must still cease alcohol sales at 9:00 pm.
Restaurants may continue to sell food via delivery, takeout, or curbside pickup at all hours
Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, alongside the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), industry leaders, labor leaders, and public officials, have developed industry-specific guidelines for safely operating within Phase IV: Gradually Resume. These guidelines are part of the city’s Be Safe Chicago framework that will be used to guide Chicago’s reopening process amid COVID-19.
Aligned with the State of Illinois but tailored to Chicago’s context, these guidelines advise employers and residents of Chicago on how to gradually resume reopening while continuing to prioritize the health of our most vulnerable residents. Please reference the materials on this page to help cautiously guide your businesses and employees as we go into Phase IV as of Friday, June 26: Gradually Resume. As we continue to reopen further, more guidelines will be added to this page, and existing guidelines will be updated.

Industry-specific Guidelines
Businesses and employees can find detailed guidelines for operations during Phase IV of Chicago’s response to COVID-19

Reopening Self-certification
Businesses are encouraged to go through the city's self-certification process for reopening

Employee Resources
Refer to this page for employee-specific resources on worker protections and labor laws.”

Other Resources
The City of Chicago has compiled the national resources in response to COVID‑19, as well as provided health-focused posters for download and use in your place of business
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