The enforcement team of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) is prepared to take appropriate action this weekend to enforce the phase four guidance. Citations for violating the requirements to socially distance, wear face coverings and limit capacity can lead to fines of up to $10,000 and we will not hesitate to issue citations. And, in egregious cases, they will be issuing immediate closures. Let’s not be a reason COVID cases increase this weekend.

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) announced the City has awarded a $56 million grant to Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership (The Partnership), in collaboration with the University of Illinois at Chicago School of Public Health, NORC at the University of Chicago, Malcolm X College – one of the City Colleges of Chicago – and Sinai Urban Health Institute, to carry out contact tracing services in Chicago, with an effort based in communities most impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Through the summer, some restaurants have expanded sidewalk cafes. All patrons are asked to observe health guidelines whenever possible. Be safe and enjoy!

Mayor Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health announced that Chicago is ready to move to phase four of the “Protecting Chicago” reopening framework on Friday, June 26. Under this phase, most Chicago businesses can open under limited capacity with appropriate safeguards in place. Specifically, most businesses will be subject to a 25% capacity limit, with a maximum of 50 people in indoor spaces and 100 outdoors.

Mayor Lightfoot announced that, beginning Wednesday, June 17, bars, lounges, taverns, breweries and other drinking establishments that sell alcohol for on-site consumption without a Retail Food License will be able to open for outdoor service only.