MONDAY, AUGUST 10
Chicago Central Business District Restricted Access Effective at 8:00 p.m. Tonight, Until Further Notice

The vandalism, looting, and violence that occurred last night and early this morning in the city of Chicago only adds more devastation and heartbreak to our industry that has been in crisis since the middle of March. Several restaurants, retailers, and other businesses were hit, and the full scope of damage is still being assessed.

If there aren’t consequences for criminal actions, Chicago’s small business community will remain constantly at risk. The IRA continues to collaborate with our partners and elected leaders, as well as provide all the resources at our disposal to help our restaurants rebuild now and survive these turbulent times.

Restricted Access Effective at 8:00 p.m. Tonight

The City of Chicago’s Emergency Operations Center (EOC) has been activated to respond to the multiple public safety incidents, looting and property damage that occurred very early this morning. The EOC is coordinating efforts with various city department and sister agencies on the response.
 
The city will be deploying more than 100 infrastructure assets citywide that will be strategically positioned by the Chicago Police Department to protect neighborhood commercial corridors and critical businesses, such as grocery stores and pharmacies. 
 
There will be temporarily restricted access to the downtown area beginning this evening from 8:00 p.m. to 6:00 a.m. The restricted access to the downtown area is NOT a curfew. All residents, essential workers and employees whose businesses are located downtown will have access at all times. As part of the restricted access, the following measures will be in place until further notice:
 
Lake Shore Drive will be closed between:
  • Fullerton Avenue on the North and I-55 on the South
 
Downtown Bridges
All Bridges will be up by 8 p.m. with the exception of the following:
  • LaSalle Street
  • Harrison Street
  • Ida B. Wells / Congress Bridge (West Bound Open Only)
  • Lake Shore Drive
  • Columbus Avenue
  • Kinzie Street
  • Grand Avenue
 
Access Points for residents and employees of area businesses
  • Harrison Street
  • Chicago Avenue and Halsted Street
  • Roosevelt Road and Canal Street
  • Kinzie Street and Halsted Street
  • LaSalle Street
 
Expressway Closures
  • All Ramps from Roosevelt Road to Division Street will be closed in both directions.
 
CTA
  • Rail Service will be impacted at the following locations, with trains not entering the area surrounding downtown: Fullerton Avenue to 47th and east of Halsted Street
  • Bus Service will remain open at this time. Some buses will see reroutes due to bridge and street closures.

CDOT
  • Divvy Service will not be available from North Avenue to Ashland Avenue and Cermak Road between 8 p.m. and 6 a.m.
 
Access points are designated for residents, essential workers and employees whose businesses are located within the designated boundaries, individuals who reside in the surrounding area and residents engaged in essential activities.
 
Entrance into the perimeter will be manned by officers with the Chicago Police Department. When arriving at the access points, residents and employees should show identification or proof that they live in the area and/or work in the area.

To receive emergency alerts for updates on street closures and public transportation, subscribe to Chicago’s text or email alert system at NotifyChicago.org or follow the Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) on Facebook and Twitter @ChicagoOEMC.
High Wind Alert Across Northern Illinois

Please be advised that severe storms are moving into Northern Illinois, including Chicago, between 1:00 p.m. and 7:00 p.m. today, with the potential for strong wind gusts up to 100 miles per hour. 
 
Please take necessary precautions to secure your buildings and construction sites, including all loose materials.

Click here to check local weather through AccuWeather.
State of Illinois Rental Assistance Program Announced

Today, the Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) is announced the Emergency Rental Assistance (ERA) Program. The ERA Program will support Illinois tenants unable to pay their rent due to a COVID-19-related loss of income.

Tenants whose application is approved will receive a one-time grant of $5,000 paid directly to their landlord to cover missed rent payments beginning March 2020 and prepay payments through December 2020, or until the $5,000 is exhausted, whichever comes first.

Applications for ERA will be accepted August 10 through August 21. Due to anticipated high volume, the application window may close early. IHDA will use a third-party entity to select a pool of applications to be reviewed for eligibility. Approximately 30,000 tenants are expected to receive funding. 

Click here to learn more. Click here to read more from Chicago Sun-Times.
Scooters Returning to Chicago Wednesday, August 12

The city of Chicago has announced that three companies have been granted permission to operate shared e-scooters in a pilot launching August 12. Bird, Lime and Spin are allowed to operate devices citywide, except for downtown, the Lakefront Trail and the 606.

This year’s pilot, run by the Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT), has new, stricter rules, including a requirement that scooters be locked to a fixed object at the end of every trip. At the end of the four-month pilot, the City will evaluate whether shared e-scooters should be part of Chicago’s future.

Click here to find more information and resources about the scooter pilot. Click here to review the FAQs.
Governor Pritzker Proposes Rules to Enforce Public Health Guidelines and Issue Fines on Businesses; Battery Against Retail Employee Law Signed

On Friday, Governor J.B. Pritzker announced emergency rules from the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) that impose a new penalty on businesses that do not comply with mask requirements or public health guidelines. The rules would be enforced by local and state authorities, including local police, health departments, and liquor commissions. 

The Joint Committee on Administrative Rules (JCAR) will consider the rules at their next scheduled meeting on Tuesday, August 11. If passed by JCAR, the emergency rules would go into effect immediately and last for 180 days.

There is a three step process under the proposed IDPH rules:

  1. Written warnings will be issued to businesses and encouraged to comply with public health guidelines.
  2. Businesses that do not comply will be ordered to have some or all of their patrons leave the premises to come into compliance.
  3. Businesses that do not comply could be cited with a Class A misdemeanor and subject to a daily fine of $75 to $2,500.

The IRA urges all individuals and businesses to comply with all local and state public health guidelines. We encourage all restaurants and bars to download and post the Illinois Restaurant Promise in English and Spanish at their establishments.

Click here to read the announcement.

Additionally, Governor Pritzker signed into law a bill that protects workers in retail by adding a penalty for assaulting or battering a retail worker who is conveying public health guidance, such as requiring patrons to wear face-coverings or promoting social distancing.
Please visit our website for the latest COVID-19 updates, in addition to the above resources and information for your business. Updated as of 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 10.
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