The Lakeview East Chamber of Commerce is dedicated to helping our businesses reopen safely and within state and local guidelines. We will be providing our businesses with the resources needed to prepare to fully reopen. We will be following the 5 Phase plans set out by Governor Pritzker and Mayor Lightfoot, and the necessary precautions set out by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

CLICK HERE FOR THE 2021 RECOVERY PLAN

May 14, 2021: IMPORTANT CHICAGO REOPENING NOTICE

Chicago is in the Phase 4 Bridge Phase. These restrictions are the most up to date and take precedence over the industry-specific guidelines if there are points of contradiction.

Click here to view all up-to-date Phase IV Capacity Guidelines

The following indoor & outdoor capacity changes will take effect immediately in Chicago:

  • Bars and restaurants: Indoor and outdoor dining at restaurants and bars with tables spaced 6-feet apart.
    • Indoors: 75% capacity; table size < 10.
    • Outdoors: 6 feet between parties; table size < 10
    • Seating at bars/counters limited to 6 per party
    • Indoors and outdoors; Standing areas limited to 25% capacity
    • Bars and Restaurants can operate within their regular liquor license hours of operation.
      • This provision applies to licensees in the city of Chicago, as Cook County does not address hours of operation for liquor licensees in their regulations.
      • This means that licensees can stay open until 2:00 am Monday mornings through Saturday mornings and 3:00 am Sunday mornings.
      • Establishments with a Late Hour Liquor License can operate without hour restrictions if only fully vaccinated patrons and no unvaccinated patrons are permitted to enter.
      • This will allow Late Hour establishments to stay open until 4:00 am Monday through Saturday morning and 5:00 am on Sunday morning if all patrons are fully vaccinated during late hour operations.
      • Click here for the full FAQ on Vaccination Exemptions
  • Social events (e.g. weddings, potlucks and other community events):
    • Indoors: Up to 250 people
    • Outdoors: Up to 500 people
    • Fully vaccinated individuals can be excluded from capacity at private events. See the Event Venue guidelines for more details.
  • Performance Venues, Theaters and Seated Spectator Events:
    • 60% capacity
  • Outdoor Festivals:
    • 15 people per 1,000 sq. feet.
  • Outdoor Recreation:
    • Indoors: 50% capacity with no more than 100 people
    • Outdoors: groups limited to 100; multiple groups allowed
  • Places of Worship:
    • Indoor venues: 60% capacity
    • Outdoor venues: Maintain at least 6 ft. between parties
  • Health and Fitness Centers:
    • 60% capacity; group classes limited to 50 indoors or 100 outdoors

Additionally, vaccinated individuals will no longer count towards capacity limits. The full COVID-19 regulations can be found at Chicago.gov/reopening.

Click here for the Reopening Businesses Portal for the latest guidelines.

In the Bridge Phase, these establishments can resume normal hours of operation. Late hour license hours shall remain prohibited during the Chicago Bridge Phase.

Liquor stores, grocery stores and other establishments with a Package Goods license must still cease alcohol sales at 11:00 pm.

Restaurants may continue to sell food via delivery, takeout, or curbside pickup at all hours.

New Quarantine Guidelines

The Chicago Department of Public Health (CDPH) is issuing updated quarantine recommendations for fully vaccinated persons, based on CDC guidance. A quarantine is not required following close contact exposure to COVID-19 for people who:
  1. Have been fully vaccinated (14 days after the 2nd dose for 2-dose vaccines or 14 days after a 1 dose vaccine)
  2. Have not developed any COVID-19 symptoms since their exposure to COVID-19
Fully vaccinated people do not need to quarantine following return from domestic travel, as long as they remain without any symptoms of COVID-19. If fully vaccinated people develop symptoms of COVID-19, they should isolate and be evaluated by a medical provider.
Vaccinated people should continue to engage in other COVID-19 public health measures, such as masking, social distancing, and washing their hands.
Fully vaccinated inpatients and residents in health care settings should continue to quarantine following an exposure. Separate guidance will be issued for quarantine in fully vaccinated healthcare workers.

Please use the helpful links below to read more information about what steps are needed for businesses (and individuals) to take to successfully reopen safely when given the okay to do so.

All Businesses & Individuals