Finally some good news

As Chicago emerges from the darkness of the pandemic and unrest that’s been haunting the country since early March. tomorrow is a new beginning.

Tomorrow we say hello to Phase 3 when the curfew lifts at 6am in the morning.

Here’s what’s opening on June 3

Businesses & offices
Non-essential retail stores
Salons & barber shops
Child care
Outdoor facilities including golf courses (but still not the lakefront)
Coffee shops & restaurants (partially reopen) for outdoor dining

Here’s what’s opening on June 8

City of Chicago services including parks, facilities and libraries. 

In a press conference this morning Mayor Lightfoot surprised some by announcing that even after the protests, curfews and violence of the past few nights supporting “Black Life Matters” and the brutal killing of George Floyd, that the City would stick to its original Phase 3 reopening plan.

Here’s what she said: “Chicago’s ready to take the next step in safely reopening, and not a moment too soon. We need our businesses up and running, and our employees back at work. Not just for their sake or for the life of our local economies, but for the sense of community they bring, and the familiar, friendly faces that make up our daily lives. This transition stands as a key moment in our city’s long road forward toward recovery and growth, as well as healing and hope.”

To help support businesses that have been impacted by the recent events in Chicago, the City is working directly with local chambers of commerce and business service organizations in impacted communities.  

“Our businesses have faced incredible challenges over the past few days on top of the preceding ten weeks,” said Rosa Escareno, BACP Commissioner. “Despite those trials, I am confident that our business community will recover and I am optimistic about the future. Together, we are ready to reopen with proper safeguards in place.”

Specific guidelines must be met for childcare, commercial buildings, residential buildings, hotels and accommodations, food service, retail, personal services, health and fitness clubs, manufacturing, construction, warehousing, healthcare, CTA, taxi and ride hail, and parks and outdoor attractions.  

Specific guidelines for sporting events, religious services, outdoor performances, summer programs and youth activities, the Lakefront, and museums will be available later in phase three when those entities are predicted to begin reopening.

Cautiously reopening in phase three will still require strict physical distancing but will begin to allow for some industries to start reopening. Regardless of industry reopening plans, all residents should continue to abide by important guidance in phase three, including: physically distancing and wearing a face covering; limiting non-business, social gatherings to 10 persons.

Last week, the City launched a recovery survey to better ascertain what is most important to residents as the Economic Recovery Taskforce determines plans for moving Chicago beyond COVID-19: http://www.chicago.gov/coronavirus/recoverysurvey.

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