SLN logo pos neg 200
 
June 2020  Newsletter 
Upcoming
SLN Events
Ice Cream Social
Wed., July 8 

Photo Contest 
Sat., Aug. 8 

Annual Members Dinner 
Date: TBD
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WHAT'S OPEN??

Our neighborhood businesses had a tough spring, and some then suffered a night of vandalism. On June 6, South Loop Neighbors volunteers surveyed all the area's restaurants and retailers to see who's back in operation. We've been trying to keep it updated since then, as an interactive map on our website.



 
Business owners:      Click here to email any updates.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Ice Cream Social 
Date: July 8
Time: 5 PM to 7 pm 
Location: Printers Row Park 


Please come out and enjoy free ice cream at an appropriate social distance!

Photo Contest: "These Extraordinary Times"
Date: August 8
Location: TBD (Art Fest or virtual)

This year's photo contest theme is "These Extraordinary Times." Start taking your photos now. All photo entries must be of the South Loop. More information on the contest will be released early summer. If we are unable to proceed with the contest in conjunction with Printer's Row Art Fest, the photo contest will be virtual. 
 
Members Annual Dinner 
Date: TBD
Location: Curry House

In light of current events, the Annual Members Dinner, which was slated for April, is being postponed and will be re-scheduled  at later date.  


DEVELOPMENT

In Brief

A new hostelry called Hotel Bnb has shown up on hotels.com and put up a sign on the old film exchange building at 1316 S. Michigan. Apparently 15 rooms have been squeezed into the small one-story building, built originally as a film exchange. As suggested by the corporate name, Micro Hospitality, these lodgings (left) appear to be rooms not much larger than a bed.

A new cannabis dispensary seems headed to 1420 S. Michigan. City zoning rules require a Special Use Permit for dispensaries, and a notice was recently circulated to neighbors. An open-house format (10 people at a time) public meeting for June 25 has reportedly been postponed; no new date has been set.

Signs of new businesses have been installed in the last few weeks for businesses coming to Printers Row.   Roots Pizza, at Dearborn & Polk, is reportedly looking toward a late July opening.   On Clark, Paisan's Pizza and the Church of Scientology have signs at least partly visible on buildings recently remodeled for them.  

The Burger King property on Motor Row recently changed hands, and speculation was that a hotel would be developed there. The outlook for hotels is suddenly rather uncertain, though, and Burger King's lease runs through next year.

On the vacant site sometimes called The 78  construction is rapidly proceeding on the new Wells-Wentworth roadway. Shifts in the location of railroad tracks at the south end look imminent.
In early May, the state's Capital Development Board issued a call for consultants to help design and construct the $250 million facility for the the University of Illinois's Discovery Partners Institute that will be among the first buildings located on the site.

The latest on all South Loop projects can be found at southloopupdate.com

IN BRIEF

Restore Illinois - Phase 3

At the time of publication of this digital newsletter, the entire State of Illinois is at Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois Plan. Current information indicates that moving to Phase 4 may occur at or around the beginning of July. 

The five phases for each health region are as follows: 

Phase 1 - Rapid Spread:  The rate of infection among those tested and the number of patients admitted to the hospital is high or rapidly increasing. Strict stay at home and social distancing guidelines are put in place and only essential businesses remain open. Every region has experienced this phase once already, and could return to it if mitigation efforts are unsuccessful. 

Phase 2 - Flattening:  The rate of infection among those tested and the number of patients admitted to the hospital beds and ICU beds increases at an ever slower rate, moving toward a flat and even a downward trajectory. Nonessential retail stores reopen for curb-side pickup and delivery. Illinoisans are directed to wear a face covering when outside the home and can begin enjoying additional outdoor activities like golf, boating and fishing while practicing social distancing. To varying degrees, every region is experiencing flattening as of early May. 

Phase 3 - Recovery:  The rate of infection among those surveillance tested, the number of patients admitted to the hospital, and the number of patients needing ICU beds is stable or declining. Manufacturing, offices, retail, barbershops and salons can reopen to the public with capacity and other limits and safety precautions. Gatherings limited to 10 people or fewer are allowed. Face coverings and social distancing are the norm. 

Phase 4 - Revitalization:  The rate of infection among those surveillance tested and the number of patients admitted to the hospital continues to decline. Gatherings of 50 people or fewer are allowed, restaurants and bars reopen, travel resumes, child care and schools reopen under guidance from the Illinois Department of Public Health. Face coverings and social distancing are the norm. 

Phase 5 - Illinois Restored:  With a vaccine or highly effective treatment widely available or the elimination of any new cases over a sustained period, the economy fully reopens with safety precautions continuing. Conventions, festivals and large events are permitted, and all businesses, schools and places of recreation can open with new safety guidance and procedures in place reflecting the lessons learned during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Until COVID-19 is defeated, this plan also recognizes that just as health metrics will tell us it is safe to move forward, health metrics may also tell us to return to a prior phase. With a vaccine or highly effective treatment not yet available, IDPH will be closely monitoring key metrics to immediately identify trends in cases and hospitalizations to determine whether a return to a prior phase may become necessary.












Bars, Lounges, Taverns and Breweries Reopened June 17th
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. Liquor establishments that are reopening must follow the  industry guidelines , which includes health and safety restrictions similar to those that restaurants have been following since June 3, including the same requirements for outdoor service only.
  • Face coverings should be worn by all employees and customers, except when they are seated and eating or drinking
  • Patrons must be seated at tables that are six feet apart
  • Six people or fewer per table
  • Seating at establishments without a Retail Food License will be limited to a maximum of two hours
  • Alcohol sales at bars and restaurants for on-site consumption must end at 11:00 p.m. each night
  • Alcohol sales for carryout or delivery must cease at 9:00 p.m. each night

Lakefront Trail Reopened June 22nd
The Lakefront Trail is open East of Lake Shore Drive from 6:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. daily, however beaches and parks East of Lake Shore Drive will remain closed. The 18-mile Lakefront Trail will be open for exercise and transit only, and no other recreational activities will be allowed. Chicagoans must abide by a "keep it moving" strategy where only walking, running, biking, and rollerblading will be allowed. At this time, the Chicago Park District will not allow congregating, gathering or use of park amenities, which includes but is not limited to, stationary activities, fitness classes, barbeques, beaches, and picnicking.





Senior Shopping Hours 








Nobody knows what will happen with COVID-19 between now and Nov. 3. The best way to ensure you can vote safely is to vote by mail.

Applications for mail-in ballots are available now.

If you live in Chicago, you can apply  here .

Voters statewide can download a ballot application from the  Illinois Board of Elections 

Ballots will be mailed starting Sept. 24 and must be postmarked by Election Day.

Voting by mail is safe and secure. Read the BGA analysis  here.

Live Local - Shop Local 
The South Loop is a vibrant neighborhood and as it continues to grow, it becomes increasingly more important  for residents to support local small businesses. The benefits of shopping local are documented through a number of  studies. 

South Loop Neighbors especially urges residents to shop at local businesses that have partnered with the South Loop  Neighbors as Community Builders. Community Builders are businesses that are members of the SLN and who  recognize that a partnerships between SLN and local businesses creates an optimal environment for our neighborhood  to maintain and increase the vibrancy of the South Loop!  Please visit our website to learn more about our Community Builders.  

New Openings: 
  • Cheesie's (2537 S. Wabash)
  • Tone Dermatology (1935 S. Wabash)
Coming Soon:
  • Lao Sze Chuan (614 S. Wabash)
  • Hoots (1238 S. Canal)


Community Builder Spotlight 
Grace Place

Grace Episcopal Church (founded in 1851) is the second oldest  Episcopal congregations in  ChicagoIllinois, United States. Since December 1985 it has occupied its 6th location, in a former  printing works located at 637 South Dearborn Street in the  Printer's Row neighborhood. Now also called Grace Place, the historic 3-story redbrick late 19th century  Arts and Crafts building is a  contributing property in the  South Dearborn Street-Printing House Row North Historic District. Grace Place is also listed in the City of Chicago's Chicago Landmarks Historic Resources Survey.  If you are curious about Grace, you are encouraged to contact them  at (312) 922-1426 or visit their website.

Other Neighborhood Events

CAPS Meetings



Stay at Home Order
In response to the evolving COVID-19 pandemic, the City of Chicago has joined the State of Illinois in issuing a Stay at Home order effective Saturday, March 21st at 5pm CT. As such, until notice is received otherwise, the normally scheduled CAPS meetings are presumed suspended until at least until the lockdown has been lifted. 

Beats 111, 112, 113 & 114
Meetings will usually be held the 1st Thursday of every month at 6:30 pm. 

Beats 121,122,123 & 124 
Meetings will be held the 2nd Wednesday of every month at 6:30 pm. The meetings are held at 525 S. State Street. 

Beat 131 & 132 
Meetings will held the 3rd Tuesday of every month at 6:30 pm. The meetings are held at alternating locations, the 1st District Station, 1718 S. State Street and 2722 S. Dr. ML King Drive. 

Grant  Park Advisory Council
Meetings in 2020 will be held on  the  third Wednesday of each month , except December, at 6:30pm at the Maggie Daley  Field House. For now, meetings will be held virtually via Zoom.The next meeting is scheduled for July 15 at 6:00 PM.  Register in advance for this meeting by Clicking Here.   After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.

 

Cancellations: 


Cancellations due to the COVID-19 crisis:
  • Lollapalooza
  • Taste of Chicago 
  • Air and Water Show
All large, permitted outdoor events through Labor Day (Sept. 7) have been cancelled. 


                    South Loop                       Bingo Contest Results!


SLN hosted the contest from May 19 to May 31 and now it is time to identify the winners! 

1st Prize - Summer Fun Basket , $100 approx. value, donated by Baird & Warner - Michelle Zimet

2nd Priz e - Movie Night Gift Basket, $75 approx. value, donate day Byline Bank - Laura Gangichiodo   

3rd prize - $25 gift certificate donated by Harbor - Angie Ostrowski

Thanks for Participating and Stay Safe and Healthy!