City of Chicago Extended Sidewalk Café FAQ
Last week, Mayor Lightfoot introduced and the City Council Committee on Transportation and Public Way passed an ordinance that will make it easier and cheaper to acquire sidewalk café permits. This ordinance will be considered by City Council tomorrow, Wednesday, June 17 - these measures have not yet passed City Council and are still considered pending.
The proposed ordinance will make temporary reforms to the sidewalk café permit to reduce costs, expand the opportunity for revenue and expedite the process to obtain a permit. The following reforms have been proposed and will be in place pending City Council approval on June 17:
- 75 percent permit fee reduction
- Ability to extend sidewalk cafes in front of a neighboring property
- Expedited permit issuance process
BACP has released an
updated FAQ
on the process for obtaining a sidewalk café and applying for an extended sidewalk café permit (pending City Council approval).
How do I apply for an Extended Sidewalk Café?
- Under the proposed ordinance, if you have an existing sidewalk café, you must submit a new application to extend into the public way in front of your neighboring property.
- This should follow the standard process for applying for a sidewalk café, but note the need for the following:
- Extended Café application needs to be reviewed by the local alderman (see page 7 of the application)
- Copies of the old and new site plan
- Photos of the proposed site
- Certificate of Insurance showing coverage of the expanded café footprint
What requirements must be followed?
- The extended sidewalk café must continue uninterrupted and cannot block the window of an occupied neighboring property, nor any door.
- If the neighboring property is vacant, an extended café can block neighboring windows, but only while that property remains vacant.
- Extended sidewalk cafes cannot extend into the public way in front of a neighboring Retail Food Establishment or Retail Liquor Establishment.
- Extended sidewalk cafés are limited to a single neighboring property.
- Insurance coverage must be submitted to include the entire footprint of the extended sidewalk café.
I already have a sidewalk café permit. Does a new application need to be submitted?
- Under the proposed ordinance, if you have an existing sidewalk café, you must submit a new application to extend into the public way in front of your neighboring property.
- This should follow the standard process for applying for a sidewalk café.
How will sidewalk café permit issuance be expedited?
- Under the proposed reform, sidewalk café permits can be issued without needing to be introduced as an ordinance to City Council.
- Applicants should still submit their application initially to the local alderman for review and signature.
- This will remove up to 30 days from the permit issuance timeline.
|
|
Upcoming City of Chicago Webinars: Operating Outdoors - Options for Restaurants and Bars During Phase III
|
|
Join an upcoming webinar for an overview of all outdoor dining and drinking options during Phase III of Chicago’s Reopening Plan. These webinars will cover rules and guidelines for outdoor dining and drinking, including how to obtain a sidewalk café permit or the new Expanded Outdoor Dining Permit.
These webinars are presented by the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) and the Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE).
Click here
to register for the Wednesday, June 17 at 2:00 p.m. webinar.
Click here
to register for the Thursday, June 18 at 10:00 a.m. webinar.
|
|
IRA Continues to Advocate for Indoor Dining in Phase III
The IRA is urging Governor Pritzker and state lawmakers to allow for limited indoor dining during Phase III of
Restore Illinois
.
Listen to the latest here:
|
|
Updated Impact of COVID-19 on Restaurants
|
|
The latest statistics on the impact of COVID-19 on the restaurant industry are now available.
In May, the industry had another revenue shortfall of $40B, which brought losses March-May to $120B. The industry is still on track to lose $240B by the end of the year.
At the height of the pandemic shutdown, more than 8 million employees were furloughed or laid off. While there is some movement to rehire as states start to allow restaurants to reopen, it’s going to be a slow recovery process.
|
|
Cook County Temporary Beer Garden License Ordinance
On Thursday, the Cook County Board of Commissioners will consider an ordinance introduced by Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle and eight cosponsors that will create a temporary beer garden license within suburban Cook County.
Under the ordinance, any person who, as of June 1, 2020, holds a valid 2020-2021 Cook County retailer’s liquor license may apply for a temporary beer garden license for that location.
|
|
Watch On Demand - Staffing and Return to Work Legal Issues Webinar
|
|
Thank you to all our attendees and panelists from US Foods, Laner Muchin, and Robinson's No. 1 Ribs for joining us for this afternoon's webinar on providing strategies and guidance for staffing your operation and returning to work legal issues.
|
|
Download the Illinois Restaurant Pledge for Your Business
|
|
In partnership with the IRA and health officials across the state, restaurant owners and operators make these commitments to earn this endorsement during the COVID-19 recovery period.
When customers see this endorsement, they can be comfortable that the restaurant is taking all necessary steps to protect their employees and customers and is committed to playing a leadership role in protecting our communities.
Click here
to download the poster for your establishments.
|
|
Chicago Business Reopening - Transit Survey
The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce has worked with local partners, transportation agencies, and City of Chicago to develop a business community survey on transportation/transit as we continue to re-open the economy.
Your responses will help local transportation providers plan their services better based on how and when employers are bringing people back to work, and give you the opportunity to provide feedback on what the city and the region can do to provide safe, affordable, and sustainable transportation options for you and your employees.
|
|
City of Chicago Announces Eligibility Expansion for COVID-19 Testing at Six City-Run Sites
Today, the City of Chicago today announced a citywide eligibility expansion for residents to get tested for COVID-19 at six City-run testing sites and is encouraging anyone who has had a recent high-risk exposure to be tested, which includes participation in protests that have happened throughout the city and country over the past several weeks.
The City is also encouraging all residents to continue self-monitoring as the City continues to cautiously reopen and residents continue prudently expanding their social circles. These new measures aim to ensure that any Chicago resident in need of testing can be accommodated and further increase the amount of testing per day citywide.
The testing sites open Monday to Friday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and are located at:
- Maria Saucedo Scholastic Academy
- Horizon Science Academy – Southwest
- Dr. Jorge Prieto Math & Science Academy
- Kennedy King College
- Gately Park
- Columbus Park
|
|
Bars in the City of Chicago Can Open for Outdoor Service Tomorrow
Yesterday, Mayor Lightfoot, alongside several City departments including the Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH), the Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), and the Chicago Park District, announced the reopening dates for bars and breweries – June 17 – and the Lakefront Trail – June 22.
Beginning tomorrow - 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. Under the
industry guidelines
, drinking establishments may reopen under similar health and safety restrictions that restaurants have been following since June 3, including the same requirements for outdoor service only.
Patrons must be seated at tables that are six feet apart, with six people or fewer per table. Furthermore, seating at drinking establishments will be limited to a maximum of two hours. Finally, alcohol sales at bars and restaurants for on-site consumption must end at 11:00 p.m. each night, however the sale of alcohol for carryout or delivery must cease at 9:00 p.m. each night.
Click here
to read the full announcement.
Click here
to read the industry guidelines for food service and bars.
|
|
Please
visit our website
for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business. Updated as of 5:10 p.m. on Tuesday, June 16.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
