THURSDAY, JULY 2
City of Chicago Warns of $10,000 Fines, Closures for Noncompliance with Guidelines
This morning, Mayor Lightfoot, Dr. Allison Arwady, BACP Commissioner Rosa Escareno, Deputy Mayor Samir Mayekar, and Liquor Commissioner Shannon Trotter hosted an online briefing for liquor-licensed establishments to review Chicago's upcoming enforcement actions on restaurants and bars that are not following public health guidelines.

Mayor Lightfoot confirmed this morning that noncompliant businesses will be issued $10,000 fines and/or immediate closure orders from BACP and the Chicago Police Department. Please take action to strictly follow all public health guidelines and occupancy requirements at your establishments.

Click here to review the presentation.

The IRA has compiled the various operational guidelines that Chicago restaurants and bars must be aware of as they reopen, including: occupancy limits, sidewalk café and expanded outdoor dining FAQs, federal paid sick leave requirements, cocktails to go regulations, 11:00 p.m. ending time for alcohol sales notice, and more.

What Restaurants and Bars Need to Know

  • Restaurants are permitted to resume indoor dining at 25% occupancy per room - or 50 people per room (whichever is fewer) - at the beginning of Phase IV
  • BACP has provided the following clarifications and guidance related to occupancy:
  • In order to determine 25% occupancy:
  • Use occupancy placard and divide by 4
  • OR, calculate square footage of indoor space and then divide by 60
  • Restaurants should use total square footage to determine 25% occupancy, not just dining room space
  • Business owners may determine how a "room" is defined. The city's intention is that all rooms are fully separate
  • Staff should not be included in the 50 per room or capacity calculations
  • Tables and seats in a room where 50% or more of a wall can be removed via the opening of windows, doors, or panels do not count toward indoor occupancy, provided that dining tables are within 8-ft from such outdoor openings 
  • If your establishment sells liquor, all liquor sales must stop at 11:00 p.m. Food sales can continue until the time established on your retail food license
  • No front loading drink sales prior to 11:00 p.m. will be allowed. Customers must finish their last drink and leave.
  • Reservations systems are encouraged, or take guests' phone numbers and call them when their table is ready
  • No dancing is permitted
  • No lines outside of establishments
  • If people are congregating outside of establishments, it is the business owner's responsibility to have staff outside politely ask people move along
  • Call 311 if crowds refuse to dissipate
  • Cocktails to go need to be in tamper-proof sealed containers - not ready for consumption on the sidewalk or street

 Click here to review the guidelines for restaurants and bars.
Share on Social Tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. - Covered Faces Keep Open Places!
We need your help.

We are seeing cities and states around the country slow down or shut down their reopening plans. To help ensure this does not happen in Illinois, we need you to share a message on your social media channels to encourage restaurateurs and diners to follow public health guidelines, be safe, and keep Illinois open. 

Post the above graphic - in English or Spanish - to your Instagram and/or Facebook pages at 11:00 a.m. tomorrow - Friday, July 3 .

Posting Instructions

  • Timing: Friday, July 3 at 11:00 a.m. CST.
  • Post the above graphic - in English or Spanish - to Instagram and/or Facebook, and tag the Illinois Restaurant Association (@illinoisrestaurants) in your post.
  • Utilize the below suggested copy and feel free to adjust to suit your tone/style!
  • Tag 2-3 of your colleagues in the restaurant/hospitality industry in your post.
  • Include the hashtag #CoveredFacesKeepOpenPlaces in your post

Sample Post Language

"We cannot allow our restaurants and bars to slide backwards, as we’ve seen happen in other states. Let’s all stay safe and keep our businesses open! I urge fellow operators and restaurant-goers to strictly follow local and state public safety guidelines. Wear your mask, keep social distancing, follow occupancy rules and ensure compliance. The Illinois Restaurant Promise can be found at illinoisrestaurants.org . Follow the guidelines, and let’s keep our restaurants and bars moving forward. We are in this together! #CoveredFacesKeepOpenPlaces @illinoisrestaurants @Tag2 @Tag3 @Tag3"
State of Illinois Phase IV - Clarification on Standing Areas
All four regions of the state have transitioned into Phase IV of the Restore Illinois framework for reopening. Click here  to read the Phase IV Guidelines for indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants and bars.

The Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity has provided the following clarification related to restaurant and bar standing areas:

  • Standing area capacity of restaurants or bars may operate at maximum of 25% of standing area capacity. If the standing area does not have a designated capacity limit, establishments may allow up to 15 people per 1,000 square feet

A state of Illinois Phase IV reopening toolkit for restaurants and bars is also available  here .

Restaurants and bars located in the city of Chicago must follow the city's  Phase IV - Gradually Reopen guidelines  for restaurants and bars. Restaurants and bars should refer to local authorities and health departments for additional guidelines during Phase IV.
Please  visit our website  for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business. Updated as of 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, July 2.