Updated on January 23, 2021

Effective immediately, Chicago has moved to the Tier 1 Mitigation Measures set by the State of Illinois. Please see below for an overview of these new mitigations from the Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP), which are in effect as of 9:00 a.m. today.

Bars and Restaurants

• Can reopen indoors at lesser of 25% or 25 people per space.
• Food must be available at all times in order to offer indoor service. This means that bars, taverns or breweries without a food license can reopen indoors as long as they partner with a food establishment so that food is available to patrons at all times (e.g., making menus available and allowing delivery, allowing patrons to order from third-party delivery services).
• Table size limited to no more than four people per indoor table and six people per outdoor table
• Outdoor service can continue under existing regulations, including tables that are within eight feet of walls that are at least 50% open
• Face coverings must be worn at all times, except when patrons are seated and actively eating or drinking
• Patrons must be seated whenever they are eating or drinking
• Tables must be six feet apart
  Indoor service limited to no more than two hours
• All bars and restaurants must close at 11:00pm for on-site service and pick-up/delivery of alcohol. Pick-up and delivery of food can continue after 11:00pm.

Event Venues

• Events are limited to the lesser of 25 guests or 25% of overall room capacity both indoors and outdoors
• Indoor events can serve food or drinks, but indoor service guidelines must be followed:
  • Face coverings must be worn at all times, except when patrons are seated and actively eating or drinking
  • Four people per indoor table
  • Patrons must be seated whenever they are eating or drinking
  • Tables must be six feet apart
  • Indoor events must end at 11:00 p.m.

Health & Fitness

• Indoor capacity increased to 40%, with no more than 50 people within one area
• Group classes of 15 or fewer can resume under the 40% capacity restriction
• Face coverings must be worn at all times

Indoor Recreation

• Indoor capacity increased to the lesser of 40% or 50 people
• Face coverings must be worn at all times

Movie Theaters and Performance Venues

No capacity change from Tier 2 to Tier 1

• Can operate indoors at 40% capacity, with no more than 50 people in any one space
• Face coverings must be worn at all times

Retail Stores

No capacity change from Tier 2 to Tier 1

• Grocery stores and pharmacies can operate at 50% capacity, all other stores at 40% capacity
• Face coverings must be worn at all times

Museums

No capacity change from Tier 2 to Tier 1

• Can operate indoors at 40% capacity
• Guided tours limited to 50 people
• Groups limited to 10 people
• Face coverings must be worn at all times

Personal Services

No capacity change from Tier 2 to Tier 1

• Can operate 40% capacity, with no more than 50 people in any one space
• Face coverings can be removed only for services that require their removal

Places of Worship

No capacity change from Tier 2 to Tier 1

• Can operate at 40% capacity, with no more than 50 people in any one space
• Special events capped at no more than 25 people
• Face coverings must be worn at all times

The full reopening regulations in Chicago will be posted shortly on the City’s website at chicago.gov/reopening.

Additionally, to help businesses navigate these new mitigations, BACP will be holding two webinars this week. Join us on Monday, January 25, at 2:00pm for “Overview of the Tier 1 Mitigation Measures” and Tuesday, January 26 at 2:00pm for “Overview of the Tier 1 Mitigation Measures for Restaurants and Bars”. Register and learn more at www.chicago.gov/businesseducation.