On May 28, Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot and the Chicago Department of Public Health ( CDPH ) announced that Chicago is on track to transition to phase three of the "Protecting Chicago" framework and will begin reopening Wed., June 3.
Cautiously reopening in phase three will still require strict physical distancing but will begin to allow for some industries to start reopening. Regardless of industry reopening plans, all residents should continue to abide by important guidance in phase three, including: physically distancing and wearing a face covering; limiting non-business, social gatherings to 10 or fewer persons; staying at home if people feel ill or have come into contact with someone with COVID-19; and getting tested if people have symptoms.
City of Chicago services that had been closed to the publicincluding parks facilities and librarieswill begin reopening Monday, June 8.
"Throughout the pandemic, I have been overwhelmed by the service and sacrifice made by countless Chicagoans from every corner of our city and every walk of life," said Mayor Lightfoot. "Our ability to meet this moment would not have been possible without the work and passion of countless other Chicagoans who stepped up for their city during our time of need. It's because of all these efforts that Chicago is poised to begin cautiously reopening on June 3."
CDPH Commissioner Allison Arwady, M.D., will issue a public health order extending the governor's stay-at-home order in the city until Chicago reopens June 3.
Lightfoot also announced May 28 a new partnership with legendary Chicago comedy institution, The Second City, to produce a weekly web series that will communicate information regarding the City's "Protecting Chicago" five-phase framework guiding Chicago's reopening process amid COVID-19. The show, titled "The Second City's Phased & Confused" will premiere on both Mayor Lightfoot's and The Second City's Facebook pages beginning Thursday, June 4, and will feature a diverse lineup of engaging interviews with city officials and local heroes, original sketch comedy, animation, music and special guests.
The city's phase-three guidelines are aligned with the state-issued ones, with additional specificity included for Chicago's context. Specific guidelines for sporting events, religious services, outdoor performances, summer programs and youth activities, the lakefront and museums will be available later in phase three when those entities are predicted to begin reopening.