Indoor Dining Opens in Chicago/Cook County

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

Please see the below resources and information for your business - updated as of 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, January 23.

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Chicago, Cook County Reach Tier 1, Limited Indoor Dining Resumes Today

This morning, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) confirmed that Region 10 (suburban Cook) and Region 11 (city of Chicago) are moving to Tier 1, effective today, Saturday, January 23.

Click here to read the full announcement. Click here to check which tier and phase regions are in currently.

Click here to read the FAQ from DCEO on what is allowed during each tier of mitigations.

Regions that advance to Tier 1 mitigations can resume indoor dining at restaurants at 25% occupancy or 25 people per room (whichever is fewer), as allowed in Tier 1 mitigations.

Tier 1 Mitigation Requirements for Indoor Dining

• All bars and restaurants close at 11:00 p.m. and may reopen no earlier than 6:00 a.m. the following day

• Indoor service limited to the lesser of 25 guests or 25% capacity per room

• Establishments offering indoor service must serve food

• Indoor service reservations limited to 2-hour maximum duration and maximum 4 persons per party (dining only with members of the same household recommended)

• Outdoor service is permissible with tables up to 10 people

• *Please note the city of Chicago is allowing outdoor service with tables up to 6 people max.

• All bar and restaurant patrons should be seated at tables

• No ordering, seating, or congregating at bar (bar stools should be removed)

• Tables should be 6 feet apart

• No standing or congregating indoors or outdoors while waiting for a table or exiting

• No dancing or standing indoors

• Reservations required for each party

• No seating of multiple parties at one table

• Includes private clubs and country clubs

Status of Indoor Dining at Restaurants by Region (as of Saturday, January 23)

• Indoor dining at restaurants is permitted in Regions 3, 5, and 6 at levels allowed in Phase 4 of the Restore Illinois plan, with occupancy limits determined by social distancing of six feet.

• Indoor dining at restaurants is now permitted in Regions 1, 2, 7, 10, and 11 at 25% occupancy or 25 people per room (whichever is fewer), as allowed in Tier 1 mitigations.

• Indoor dining at restaurants is not yet permitted in Regions 4, 8, and 9 which have only advanced to Tier 2 mitigations.

The city of Chicago's Reopening Chicago website is expected to be updated later today to reflect new Tier 1 mitigations for indoor dining.

Contact Matt Quinn with any questions about reopening regulations.