Suburban Cook, 29 Other Counties at Warning Level for COVID-19
Today, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) reported 30 counties in Illinois are considered to be at a warning level for COVID-19. A county enters a warning level when two or more COVID-19 risk indicators that measure the amount of COVID-19 increase.
Thirty counties are currently reported at a warning level - Bureau, Carroll, Cass, Clinton, Cook, Cumberland, Effingham, Fayette, Greene, Grundy, Henderson, Henry, Jasper, Jersey, Jo Daviess, Johnson, Madison, Monroe, Morgan, Perry, Pike, Randolph, Sangamon, Shelby, St. Clair, Union, Warren, White, Will, and Williamson.
The warning level does not apply to the city of Chicago.
Cook County officials said the regulations that are in place now for bars and restaurants, fitness centers and other activities will remain consistent, but warned that if the county continues to see a backslide, additional rules may be imposed.
“The guidance will remain the same for now,” Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle said in a statement. “But we are at a crossroads. We need everyone to wear a mask, watch their distance and wash their hands consistently to slow the spread of COVID-19 so we don’t lose the gains we have made.”
A map and information of each county's status can be found on the IDPH website.
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City of Chicago Weekend Update
The city of Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection has provided the below update for businesses.
Please be advised that all regular business operations may proceed, including Expanded Outdoor Dining, and there are currently no planned closures or restricted access zones. Stay alert and updated to any changes with emergency notifications from CHIBIZ alerts by texting “CHIBIZ” to 67283 or visiting chicago.gov/chibizalerts.
As part of an all-hands-on-deck public safety strategy, the Chicago Police Department will deploy 200 additional officers from the Critical Incident Response team to the downtown area, along with a new 500-officer Community Safety team in the neighborhoods. Additionally, the City conducted a public safety drill yesterday in the Central Business District as part of ongoing precautionary efforts. The drill was not in response to any planned event but has been in the works for the last several weeks focusing on the safety and well-being of residents, workers, businesses and peaceful gatherings within heavily trafficked pedestrian areas like downtown. The City will be conducting similar public safety drills along Chicago's neighborhood corridors in the coming weeks.
As always, please take precautions this weekend, consult with your local Police District for community-specific guidance and call 911 in the event of an emergency. Additionally, businesses can register to become a public/private partner with the City's public safety agencies here.
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State Issues New Face Covering Guidelines for Restaurant and Bar Patrons |
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New state guidelines are now in effect that require patrons to wear face coverings both in indoor and outdoor dining settings in all eleven regions in the state.
These latest guidelines require patrons to wear a mask during any interaction with wait staff, food service workers and other employees at bars and restaurants, including but not limited to when employees take patrons orders, deliver food and beverages, and service tables.
Click here to read the updated guidelines for restaurants and bars.
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Updated Illinois Restaurant Promise - Post at Your Establishments |
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Following the latest state mask rule, the IRA has updated our Illinois Restaurant Promise poster. The Promise is a pledge that can be posted at your establishments to show diners the commitments your business has made to keep diners safe - and what you ask of diners in return.
Click here to download the updated poster in English and Spanish.
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August 2020 COVID-19 Impact Survey
The IRA and the National Restaurant Association are surveying our members about the economic impacts of COVID-19 on your businesses. Please be assured that all information provided is anonymous and strictly confidential.
If you are a restaurant operator with multiple restaurants in your organization, please consider completing a separate survey for each location. If you wish to only complete one survey, please choose your primary restaurant for this survey.
Click here to complete the one minute survey. For the entire survey, please provide information for a single restaurant location.
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Watch on Demand - 30 Marketing Ideas in 30 Minutes Webinar |
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Thank you to everyone that attended and our panelists from Ateema Media & Marketing and Isabelli Partners for joining yesterday's webinar on marketing and PR strategies to use right now to engage with customers and drive business.
This webinar was provided in partnership with Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and the Cook County Community Recovery Initiative.
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Eden Wine, Decor, Furniture and More for Sale Tonight and Tomorrow |
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IRA member Eden has recently closed their restaurant, and is selling a variety of wine, spirits, art, furniture, and decor this evening and tomorrow afternoon at 1748 W. Lake in Chicago.
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Please visit our website for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business. Updated as of 7:00 p.m. on Friday, August 28.
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THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS |
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