City of Chicago Unveils Reopening Guidelines, PPE Exchange Ahead of Transition to Phase 3


Mayor Lori Lightfoot has released the City of Chicago’s industry guidelines for reopening as the City prepares to transition to Phase 3 of the “Be Safe Chicago” plan. Under the City’s plan, which established more strict requirements for progressing from phase to phase than the state-wide “Restore Illinois” plan, various industries will be permitted to reopen in a limited manner on June 3, 2020. City services, including park facilities west of Lake Shore Drive and libraries, will reopen on June 8, 2020. The City’s guidelines are largely similar to the statewide guidelines announced by Governor J.B. Pritzker on May 24.

Concurrent with release of the guidelines, the City also has established the Chicago PPE Market, an online platform that allows businesses and community and non-profit organizations to purchase personal protective equipment (PPE) directly from local suppliers.

Significantly, the City’s guidelines require employers across all industries to report COVID-19 cases to the Chicago Department of Public Health when a facility “becomes aware of 2 or more cases possibly associated with an establishment over a 14 day period.” It is unclear whether this requirement will apply only to cases involving employees of the facility, or to cases involving customers or employees’ family members.

Additionally, all industries will be required to clean and disinfect facilities according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines if an employee tests positive for COVID-19.

This special report summarizes the industry-specific guidelines issued by the City for education and childcare, office and real estate, accommodation and tourism, parks and outdoor attractions, food service, retail, personal services, health and fitness, manufacturing, construction, transportation and warehousing, and healthcare.

Education and Childcare Guidelines

Office and Real Estate Guidelines

Accommodation and Tourism Guidelines

Parks and Outdoor Attractions Guidelines

Food Service Guidelines

Retail Guidelines

Personal Services Guidelines

Health and Fitness Guidelines

Manufacturing Guidelines

Construction Guidelines

Transportation and Warehousing Guidelines

Healthcare Guidelines


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National Law Review, Volume X, Number 150