Chicago City Council Announces Regulatory Relief for Businesses Regarding COVID-19

Louie Greenebaum

Posted by Louie Greenebaum

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The Chicago City Council approved new measures that would provide businesses with temporary modifications giving them the opportunity to stay open with new guidelines and limitations. 

Chicago Ordinance Relief Details

  • Extension of Licenses Expiration Dates: All licenses that expire between March 15, 2020 and June 15, 2021 will be considered active until July 15, 2021 and those businesses can operate during that time without renewing their license. Learn more here. 
  • Extension of Sidewalk Café Permit Expiration Date and Extension of Reforms including extensions to existing permits and fee reduction for 2021 permits. 
  • Extension of Expanded Outdoor Dining Program: The Expanded Outdoor Dining Program, through which bars and restaurants can operate outside on private property or closed streets, has been extended to last through the end of 2021. Additionally, businesses that are operating their Expanded Outdoor Dining area during winter months need to submit an updated permit plan that includes any winterization plans and equipment.

Burnham is experienced in obtaining business licenses and permits, and our team is available to answer any questions you may have on obtaining one with the City of Chicago for the 2020 season and beyond.

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Is Chicago's Expanded Outdoor Dining Program still around today?
Yes, but as a permanent program now, not the temporary pandemic measure this post describes. In May 2023, City Council unanimously made it a permanent part of the municipal code under Mayor Brandon Johnson, after the original temporary version (extended repeatedly through 2021–2022) had expired.
How is the permanent version different from the original COVID-era temporary program?
The biggest change is local control - alderpersons now have final say over permits in their own ward, including the ability to approve closing an entire street for outdoor dining if three or more businesses on that block petition for it. The original 2022 proposal under Mayor Lightfoot would have used automatic renewal instead, cutting alderpersons out of that decision.
What's the operating season for Chicago's outdoor dining permits now?
Permits run annually from May 1 through October 31 - a defined seasonal window rather than a year-round or indefinitely-extended arrangement like the emergency pandemic rules.
Can restaurants still get permits to operate on private property, like a parking lot, under the current program?
No - that's discontinued. Permits for dining on private property are no longer issued under the current city program; establishments need the standard applicable licenses to serve patrons on their own private property instead.
Do bars without a food license still need a restaurant partner to offer outdoor dining?
Yes - that requirement carried over from the original program. Bars and taverns without their own food license still need to partner with a food establishment to provide food service before they can offer outdoor dining space.
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