We want to keep our neighbors updated as we get more information and as we roll out plans to organize our community to support each other. Check back here for updates.
Quick links to resources:
- Chicago Department of Public Health
- Centers for Disease Control
- World Health Organization
- Coronavirus Dashboard tracks the numbers of cases , deaths, and rate of recoveries locally and globally.
- For more resources, click here.
Thursday, 5/28
Mayor announces the estimated date of transition to Phase 3 of re-opening Chicago is June 3
On Thursday, May 28, Mayor Lightfoot announced that the planned date for transitioning to Phase 3 of re-opening will be Wednesday, June 3. Please refer to the city’s guidelines on Phase 3 as they are released for more details on re-opening. In Phase 3, restaurants will be allowed to re-open for outdoor dining. The mayor also mentioned that they will soon be releasing guidelines regarding summer programming at the Chicago Park Districts.
Mayor Lightfoot and the CDPH released industry-specific guidelines for businesses, employees, and customers to follow as the city prepares to begin safely reopening in early June.
Guidelines for the industries that will open in Phase 3 in Chicago can be found below.
Additionally, the department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) will be holding webinars on the reopening framework starting this Friday. Information in Spanish and English below:
ENGLISH
On Friday, May 29 at 12PM Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) will host a webinar on Reopening Framework for businesses to prepare for Phase 3. Register for the free webinar at chicago.gov/businessworkshops.
ESPAÑOL
El viernes, 29 de mayo a las 4pm el Departamento de Asuntos Comerciales y Protección del Consumidor va hacer una presentation para que negocios esten listos para el fase 3 de reapertura de la ciudad. Regístrese para esta presentación al chicago.gov/businessworkshops para participar
Friday 5/1
AFTER MAY 1, YOU MUST WEAR A FACE MASK IN PUBLIC SPACES
A PARTIR DEL 1 DE MAYO, SE TIENE QUE USAR MASCARILLA EN LOS ESPACIOS PÚBLICOS
Thursday 4/9
LIQUOR SALES PROHIBITED AFTER 9PM
VENTAS DE LICOR SERAN PROHIBIDOS DESPUES DE LAS 9PM
Thursday 3/26
Mayor Lightfoot has announced the closure of the lakefront, the adjacent parks, the riverwalk, and the 606 trail.
Friday (3/20)
At press conference with Mayor Lightfoot, Governor J.B. Pritzker announces “stay at home” executive order asking IL residents to stay home except for essential workers and trips for supplies
Governor Pritzker issued a stay-at-home order taking effect 5 p.m., Saturday, March 21, through April 7 for all of Illinois. His executive order lays out three main directives:
- Stay at home, except for essential activities
- Non-essential business and operations must cease
- All gatherings of more than 10 people are banned
Mayor Lori Lightfoot goes on to announce that Chicago Public Libraries and Park Districts will be closing as well.
Thursday (3/19)
Mayor Lightfoot Announces School Closure Extended To April 20, and orders anyone who is sick to stay home
Wednesday (3/18)
Mayor Lightfoot announced temporary suspension of debt collection, ticketing and towing practices to provide relief in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. These include:
SUSPENSION OF CITY STICKER TICKETS
Ticket enforcement on compliance-related violations, including City Stickers and Residential Parking Permits, will be suspended until April 30, 2020. The city will also be waiving late fees and back charges on City Stickers during this time.
The Office of the City Clerk will be waiving late fees and back charges on City Stickers from March 19, 2020 to April 30, 2020 for residents whose stickers were up for renewal in January, February or March 2020. These dates may be extended should the Office of the City Clerk be closed past April 30, 2020. Additional details on this waiver period to follow.
Ticket Issuance
- Enforcement will be prioritized for safety-related violations.
- Enforcement on compliance-related violations will be suspended until April 30, 2020
Parking, Red Light, Speed Camera Violation Collections
- Delay assessment of penalty (ticket doubling) until after April 30, 2020
- Delay driver’s license suspension until after April 30, 2020
- No Booting until after April 30, 2020
- Delay referral of tickets to collection firms until after April 30, 2020
- No defaults of payment plans for until after April 30, 2020
Utility Bills
- Extend due dates until after April 30, 2020 delaying assessment of penalties
- Delay referrals to collection firms until after April 30, 2020
- No defaults of payment plans until after April 30, 2020
Administrative Hearing Collections
- Extend due dates until after April 30, 2020 (this will delay assessment of interest)
- Delay referrals to collection firms until after April 30, 2020
- No defaults of payment plans until after April 30, 2020
Other Collection Efforts
- Extend deadline for TNP and taxi drivers to pay debt to April 30
- No debt holds on new licenses or permits
- Law firms and collection agencies will cease collection efforts.
Letter from the mayor can be found below:
Sunday (3/15)
Governor Pritzker orders all Illinois bars and restaurants to close to dine-in customers by the end of the day on Monday, March 16th. This closure is expected to last for two weeks.
Many restaurants kitchens will remain open for delivery orders. Read more details here.
Saturday (3/13)
Governor Pritzker makes new plea to the public to follow social distancing guidelines and shares update on the State of Illinois’s plan to use a Medicaid waiver to fund expanding medical infrastructure and services
Friday (3/12)
Governor Pritzker Announces Closure of all K-12 schools across the State of Illinois through March 30th and provides COVID-19 Updates
State of Illinois Press Release on announcement
CPS to provide grab-and-go lunches to students during closure
CPS locations will become Food Distribution Centers beginning on Tuesday (3/17) from 9AM-1PM. Families can pick up 3 days worth of food for each child at any given time. Parents in need of delivery should call 773-553-KIDS (5437) or email familyservices@cps.edu. Please see the full letter to parents and staff below.
Chief Judge Evans Chief Judge Evans postpones most cases for 30 days due to coronavirus
Many criminal and civil cases in the Circuit Court of Cook County will be postponed for a 30-day period starting Tuesday (March 17) due to the spread of the coronavirus, Chief Judge Timothy C. Evans announced today.
Court operations will proceed as scheduled on Monday (March 16). The 30-day period runs from March 17 through April 15. No orders for an eviction or foreclosure will be entered during the 30-day period.
Read the full announcement here.
U.S. Small Business Administration Announces Disaster Relief for COVID-19
SBA (U.S Small Business Administration) has announced that they are to Provide Small Businesses Impacted by Coronavirus (COVID-19) Up to $2 Million in Disaster Assistance Loans. I have attached the flyer with all the details below. You can also visit https://www.sba.gov/disaster-assistance/coronavirus-covid-19 for additional available details.
Thursday (3/12)
Press Conference with Governor Pritzker, Mayor Lightfoot, Cook County Board President President Preckwinkle
- Community events above 1,000 are banned for the next 30 days.
- Events of 250+ strongly recommended to be canceled.
- CPS will remain open.
- Effective Monday, Comcast will be doubling internet speeds for low-income families nationally and will offer 60 free days of internet to any low-income household.
- New updated guidance on sick leave coming out tomorrow.
- Continue practicing social distancing and if you are feeling sick, please stay home!
- Continue checking Chicago.gov/coronavirus for updates.
Cook County Board President Toni Preckwinkle
- Meetings of boards, commissions and advisory boards will be canceled March + April (if possible).
- March 26 board of commissioner meeting will proceed but limited in scope
- County employees: all work travel will be prohibited through May 1
- There are 7 more individuals who tested positive. 2 Additional cases in Chicago, woman in her 40s and a child. 3 new cases in Cook County 2 women in 70s and 1 man in his 50s.
- 1/3 of cases are travel related. 1/2 are from contact with someone infected.
- There are no deaths associated with COVID-19 in Illinois.
- Most cases in serious conditions (hospitalized) is in older individuals and people with underlying medical conditions (heart and lung diseases, diabetes, and immunodeficiency issues).
33rd Ward Office Closed to Walk-ins
Out of an abundance of caution, our ward office has decided to close for all walk-ins, but we are working and responding to emails and calls. To practice social distancing, we are also moving meetings to conference call formats whenever possible.
Wednesday (3/11)
