Reopening Indoor Dining, Rain Reminder

The Illinois Restaurant Association continues to engage with local, state, and federal officials to help our employers and employees address concerns about COVID-19.

Please see the below resources and information for your business - updated as of 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, June 20.

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Next Week - BACP Indoor Dining, Outdoor Dining Reopening Webinars

The Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) is hosted two webinars Monday, June 22 to review guidelines on reopening indoor dining at restaurants and bars.

Click here to register for the Monday, June 22 10:00 a.m. webinar.

Click here to register for the Monday, June 22 1:00 PM webinar.

Additionally, BACP is hosting a webinar to review the Phase IV guidelines for restaurants and bars on Wednesday, June 24 at 2:00 p.m. Click here to register.

Please email BACPoutreach@cityofchicago.org with any webinar questions.

City of Chicago Phase IV Begins Friday, June 26: Indoor Dining at 25% Occupancy Per Room or 50 People Per Room Maximum

Yesterday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot and Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) Commissioner Rosa Escareno announced that the city of Chicago will begin Phase IV - Gradually Resume on Friday, June 26.

Restaurants will be permitted to resume indoor dining at 25% occupancy per room - or 50 people per room (whichever is fewer) - at the beginning of Phase IV.

Click here to read the Phase IV - Gradually Reopen guidelines for restaurants and bars.

The city of Chicago's Food Service Industry Working Group, which has advised the city on reopening guidelines, recommended indoor dining operations at levels that ensure 6 feet of social distancing or at 50% occupancy limits, in line with what the state of Illinois is considering. While we are pleased with the announcement of June 26 as the phase-in date, and it's a start, a 25% capacity restriction compounded with a limit of 50 guests per room is insufficient for recovery.

As one of the most highly-regulated industries, restaurants are accustomed to operating by the strictest of standards when it comes to sanitation, food safety, and other health-focused requirements. In the city of Chicago, more than 90,000 employees in foodservice have been laid off, and our restaurants have lost nearly $600 million dollars in sales between the months of March and May. Chicago's restaurants are well-equipped, willing and ready to safely reopen their dining rooms. It is imperative that they have the opportunity to do so at greater capacities before they can no longer sustain their businesses and are forced to close their doors for good.

The IRA will continue to advocate for increases in indoor dining occupancy during Phase IV with necessary safety measures in place.

Key points from the Phase IV guidelines that are updated from the Phase III guidelines:

• Each indoor room / floor is limited to no more than 50 individuals, while practicing social distancing, or 25% capacity (whichever is fewer)

• No more than 10 people per table

• For event venues / banquet halls, adhere to capacity and gathering restrictions for indoor / outdoor spaces (depending on setting)

• All patrons must be seated; counter / bar seating allowed if 6 ft distancing can be maintained between customers (consider use of Plexiglas between customers and bartenders)

• Cafeterias, buffets, or self-serve food may resume if an employee is serving the food and wearing proper PPE

Read the latest:

• Fox 32 Chicago - Chicago restaurants given OK for limited June 26 reopening

• CBS 2 Chicago - Some Restaurant Owners Say They Won’t Reopen With Limited Indoor Seating

Reminder - Rain and Inclement Weather Procedures

As rain is forecasted Saturday afternoon across the state, restaurant operators should be advised that, per the state of Illinois Restore Illinois guidelines for outdoor dining:

• Customers should not be seated if inclement weather is forecasted

• In case of inclement weather or emergency while customers are outdoor dining, food should be packaged to-go and customers encouraged to leave.

Please refer to your local authorities for further guidance related to outdoor dining procedures in the case of rain or inclement weather.

Click here to check your local weather forecast from AccuWeather.

Cook County Equitable Economic Recovery Webinar

On Tuesday, June 23 from 3:00 to 4:30 p.m., leaders from across Cook County will explore equitable economic recovery, discussing key opportunities and resources for municipal economic development leaders. 

Cook County speakers will be joined by the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity (DCEO) will share insights into Cook County’s Economic Recovery Plan, COVID-19 Response, IL’s SBA, and a future economic forecast. Attendees will also have an opportunity to participate in live Q&A.

Click here to register.

Reopening Services and Supplies - Discounts Available

The IRA has launched a premier resource base of Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and reopening services for restaurants, including: hand sanitizer, face coverings, gloves, cleaning and sanitizing supplies, plexiglass, menus, floor markers, signs, and more.

Click here to let us know if you would like to join the IRA’s reopening resource page and offer PPE materials and equipment to restaurants and bars throughout Illinois. Companies must be current IRA Associate members in order to be featured.