The 51st Street Business Association, like all community groups and organizations in Chicago will be working diligently to keep our community updated on the Coronavirus (COVID-19). As a delegate agency of the City of Chicago we will be in constant contact with the City of Chicago's Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection. As they update us we will immediately get information out to you. As with any health situation it is always best to follow precautions and preventive methods that are defined by the City of Chicago's Department of Public Health. Listed below are some precaution activities that the Governor and Mayor has mandated and recommended.
CITY OF CHICAGO
CORONAVIRUS UPDATE
January 23, 2021
Dear Chicagoan,
Please be advised that, effective immediately, Chicago has moved to the Tier 1 Mitigations Measures set by the State of Illinois. Please see below for an overview of these new mitigations, which are in effect as of 9:00am today.
Overview of Tier 1 Mitigation Measures Restaurants and Bars
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 11:00pm
Health and Fitness Centers
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
Updated regulations will be posted at www.chicago.gov/reopening shortly. Additionally, to help businesses navigate these new mitigations, we 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.
To track Chicago’s continued progress in the fight against COVID-19 and for more details on the state-imposed mitigation measures, visit IDPH’s website here. In order to continue loosening restrictions and move to Phase Four, we need to meet the following metrics set by the State of Illinois
A test positivity rate less than or equal to 6.5% for three consecutive days as measured by the 7-day rolling average (currently NOT meeting this metric); AND
Greater than 20% percent available staffed ICU hospital beds for three consecutive days, on a 7-day rolling average (currently meeting this metric); AND
No sustained increase in the number of COVID-19 patients in the hospital in 7 out of the last 10 days, on a 7-day average (currently meeting this metric)
As a reminder, now is the time to double down on what works to prevent the spread of COVID-19 and to keep our businesses open. BACP will continue to enforce these new regulations, particularly the rules for limited indoor service at bars and restaurants. Please continue to wear face coverings, maintain social distancing, avoid gatherings and follow the regulations closely. Thank you for your ongoing commitment to follow the COVID-19 regulations and help Chicago continue to move forward in the fight against this deadly virus.
October 22, 2020 Dear Chicagoan, Today, I joined Mayor Lightfoot and the Public Health Commissioner to announce the reinstatement of targeted business restrictions to combat the recent and alarming rise of COVID-19 cases. Effective tomorrow, Friday, October 23 at 6:00 a.m., the following regulations will come into effect: ·All non-essential businesses must be closed to the public between the hours of 10:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. This includes bars, restaurants, health and fitness centers, event venues, personal services, non-essential retail and most establishments that were deemed non-essential during the Stay at Home Order earlier this year. Essential businesses, such as grocery stores, pharmacies and hardware stores, are exempt. Additionally, restaurants may remain open for take-out or delivery of food. ·Bars, taverns, breweries and other establishments that sell alcohol for on-site consumption without a Retail Food Establishment License must close for indoor service. Outdoor service may continue, including rooms with retractable roofs and tables that are within eight feet of walls that are at least 50% open. ·All liquor sales for on-site and off-site consumption must cease at 9:00 p.m. This applies to all establishments that sell alcohol, including those with a Package Goods, Tavern or Consumption on Premises-Incidental Activity License. The delivery and pick-up of alcohol must cease at 9:00 p.m. as well. For more information, please read the latest Health Order, which includes a comprehensive list of the businesses that are considered essential. Please note that transportation, including taxis and ride-hail services, are considered essential. Please be aware that BACP will continue enforcing the new regulations listed above along with the existing regulations. As a reminder: ·Indoor capacity at most businesses is limited to 40%, with a total of 50 patrons within a room or space at restaurants, event venues, performance venues and other establishments. ·No more than six people per table at a bar, restaurant, performance venue or event venue. ·Face coverings must be worn at all times by customers and employees, and can be removed by customers only in limited circumstances (i.e. when actively eating/drinking, during personal services that require their removal) ·Class size at health and fitness centers and after-school programming limited to 15 people, while adhering to the 40% capacity limit. The full guidelines can be found at chicago.gov/reopening. To help businesses understand the new guidelines, we will be holding a webinar Friday, October 23 at 2:00 p.m. To register and learn more, visit chicago.gov/businesseducation. The second surge of COVID-19 is here, and these new restrictions are necessary to combat the alarming rise in cases and hospitalizations. Over the past week alone, cases have risen by 54%, to over 640 per day. This is coinciding with a worrying increase in hospitalizations, which for non-ICU COVID patients and suspected cases are up 45% since September 22. In addition to the new business restrictions, the City is calling on all residents to avoid social gatherings over six people and end all social gatherings at 10:00 p.m. These restrictions, which are targeted at locations that most easily contribute to spread, will help save lives while also hopefully preventing further restrictions - if our positivity rate continues to climb we will soon be subject to much stricter regulations from the State of Illinois, including reduced capacity for all businesses and the closure of indoor dining. That said, we understand the pain this is causing to our business community and will continue to work to support businesses throughout this ongoing crisis. Today, the City Council Committee on License and Consumer Protection voted to approve an ordinance that would further extend the expiration date of licenses impacted by COVID-19. Under the new legislation, all licenses that were set to expire between March 15 and December 31, 2020 will be considered active until January 30, 2021. We anticipate this becoming law at the next City Council meeting on November 16 and will not be enforcing late fees or renewal requirements on businesses that would be impacted by this ordinance prior to its formal passage by the full City Council next month. Next, I want to remind everyone of available funding opportunities for businesses during this challenging time: ·The Illinois Business Interruption Grant Program (BIG) continues to accept applications, with funds allotted specifically for heavily impacted industries, priority businesses and disproportionately impacted areas. Learn more at Illinois.gov/dceo. ·Applications for the Performing Arts Venue Relief Program will close Friday, October 23 at 5:00 p.m. central time. This program that will provide $10,000 grants to up to 120 for-profit and nonprofit Chicago-based performing arts venues that have lost significant revenue due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Grants will be distributed via a lottery system to qualified recipients. ·Chicago area restaurants are able to apply to receive a $5,000 grant to defray winterization expenses such as the cost of heating equipment, additional safety materials to improve indoor dining, upgrades for air filtration systems, bulk orders of blankets for patrons, and more through DoorDash’s Main Street Strong initiative.Learn more and apply here. I also want to remind everyone that the City has partnered with Tock to offer a free set-up and six-month subscription to Tock Plus Litefor restaurants and bars without a reservation system in areas of the citybelow 60% of the Area Median Income.For more information, please visit: www.exploretock.com/join/get-started. Thanks again to all of you for your ongoing efforts to keep our community safe. As always, please do not hesitate to reach out with any questions. Sincerely, Rosa Escareno BACP Commissioner
Dear Community Leader, This morning, the Mayor will be releasing the City of Chicago’s 2021 budget. Crafted in the context of a global pandemic, this budget is the most challenging in our city’s history. The Mayor and her team have been working around the clock to find solutions to address an unprecedented $1.2 billion shortfall, most of which can be directly attributed to COVID.
COVID laid bare generational inequities and the City has tackled them head on, providing relief for the most vulnerable among us, including African American and Latinx communities who have disproportionately borne the brunt of the virus’ impact. Through our Racial Equity Rapid Response Team, housing supports for renters and homeowners, support for small businesses, and other COVID-relief programs, we have demonstrated our unwavering commitment to the values of equity, transparency and inclusion.
This “Pandemic Budget” now demands that we step into those values fully and ensure that we continue to build upon last year’s investments in youth services, violence prevention, mental health, and support for those experiencing or at risk of homelessness.
We have also refused to balance the City’s budget on the backs of Chicago’s working families. In building this balanced budget, the City looked internally first - eliminating vacancies and adding efficiencies to our fiscal management. Indeed, even before we arrived at the 2021 budget, we were able to close the COVID-induced $800 million shortfall in the 2020 budget without using draconian measures. Instead, we were able to close that monumental gap through a combination of CARES Act reimbursement, debt refinancing, service efficiency, and a hiring slowdown.
Unfortunately, due to decades of underfunding in past budgets, we will need to increase revenues in 2021 to get through this crisis. There will be a small property tax increase. However, to avoid a large, sudden, property tax increase, the property tax will now be tied to a federal marker of inflation – the Consumer Price Index. For a median home value of $250,000, the average estimated impact of the entire 2021 increase is approximately $56 per year for a Chicago homeowner. It is expected that this small increase will be the last vote for a property tax needed for the Administration to reach structural balance in the next 3-4 years.
Significantly, the push for structural balance in the budget forces us to look beyond a narrow 1-year spending window and focus on the next 3-4 years, which in turn allows us to act as good fiscal stewards of taxpayer dollars well into the future. In fact, more than 60% of next year’s budget is balanced through structural measures, which is a remarkable achievement given the enormity of the challenge laid out before us.
Finally, we must also flag that in the absence of additional federal funding, we will likely face layoffs and furloughs for city staff. At labor's request, we have built in time to find additional savings and await possible federal relief. As such, no layoffs will take effect until March 1st, 2021. Our fervent hope is that federal relief will be forthcoming, and we will be able to walk back some of the personnel actions taken in the budget.
At the end of the day, budgets are moral documents that rely on compromise, collaboration and trust. We have sought to be true to our values and deliver a balanced budget that closes a historic gap without damaging cuts to services, an overwhelming tax increase, or risking the City’s reputation. We know you may have questions and concerns. Next week, through a series of virtual town hall meetings, you will have an opportunity to hear more from the Mayor’s staff and have many of your questions answered. Information about those meetings will be shared shortly.
Sincerely,
Mayor's Office of Community Engagement
Illinois Housing Development Authority (IHDA) Emergency Rental Assistance Program
One-time $5000 payment made directly to landlord for past due rent and future rent. Apply here: https://era.ihda.org/
Applications accepted Monday, August 10 through Friday, August 21. Application does not guarantee payment. Applicants will be selected randomly.
Program open to all Illinois residents.
Question hotline: 312-883-2720 or 888-252-1119
Cook County COVID-19 Recovery Rental Assistance Program
Up to three months of overdue or future rent paid directly to landlord. Apply here: https://buff.ly/2PGrw61
Applications accepted Monday, August 10 through Tuesday, August 18. Application does not guarantee payment. Applicants will be selected randomly.
Program open to any resident of suburban Cook County.
Important notes:
Immigration status is not asked for either program.
Clients can apply for both programs. Both programs are lotteries and have overlapping application periods. After each program randomly selects applicants, they will verify that the applicant is still eligible to receive funds (i.e. if they received other COVID-19 funding). If by chance an applicant is selected for both programs, the tenant will be held accountable for accurately reporting other COVID-19 assistance.
Emergency Mortgage Assistance (EMA): August 24 - September 4 One time grants of up to $15,000 to cover missed mortgage payments due to COVID-19 [click here]
Chicago Housing Assistance Portal: This portal can route you to the most appropriate of the four housing assistance programs available: DOH COVID-19 Housing Assistance Grants; DOH Mortgage Assistance Program; or the Illinois Housing Development Authority Statewide Housing Assistance [click here]
View this email in español, عربى, polski, and 中文. Dear Community Member, Chicago Public Schools and the Mayor’s Office have announced a preliminary reopening framework that includes staggered in-school attendance schedules, daily health screenings and personal protective equipment, a more in-depth at home learning plan, prioritizing the social-emotional well being of students, strict social distancing guidelines, and the ability to easily transition to full at-home learning if COVID-19 cases being to increase. More information about the preliminary reopening can be found here.
As we continue to flatten the curve of COVID-19 cases and reopen we will provide up-to-date information on childcare resources, healthcare, city services, and the reopening of the City. Please continue to social distance, wear face masks or cloth face coverings, and refrain from congregating in large crowds. Rental Assistance Program The Department of Family and Support Services has announced the Rental Assistance Program (RAP) in an effort to prevent homelessness due to financial hardship. This program will provide payment of rent arrears for Cook County residents to prevent eviction and assistance in rent payment for those experiencing crisis or emergencies such as temporary loss of income, eviction notices, fire or flood, and domestic violence. This program only assists those currently in housing and is not designed to relocate homeless families from shelter to housing. More information about RAP can be found here. Cash Assistance The Farmworker & Landscaper Advocacy Project is providing one-time $500 cash assistance for those financially affected by COVID-19. Those employed in the landscaping, snow plowing, packing, cannery, farms, nursery, greenhouse, and meat and poultry industries and experiencing financial hardship due to the effort to contain COVID-19 are eligible for this assistance. To apply for this cash assistance program those affected can send their phone number, valid ID with current address, paystub, and an explanation of what you do at work to info@flapillinois.org. Utility Billing Relief Program The Mayor’s Office has launched the Utility Billing Relief UBR Program to help low-income residents come into compliance on water bill payments. This program will operate in partnership with CEDA of Cook County and helps to prevent residents from having to make difficult choices between paying for utilities and other critical goods and services. The UBR Program will provide Chicago residents with a reduced rate on water, sewer, and water-sewer tax; remove late payment penalties or debt collection activity; and debt forgiveness after successfully completing one year with no past due balance. For more information about the Utility Relief Program or to sign up please visit Chicago.gov/ubr.
Pay Cook County property taxes through October 1 with no penalty
Second Installment Cook County property tax bills are due August 3, 2020, but property owners have two extra months to pay without a late fee.
Property owners can pay the Second Installment without a late fee through October 1. To download a copy of your tax bill or to make a payment, visit cookcountytreasurer.com:
* Select the blue box labeled "Pay Online for Free"
* Search by property address or enter your Property Index Number (PIN)
* There is no fee if you pay from your bank account
