Terrence Antonio James / baiduhaiPeople dine outdoors on North Clark Street in Chicago's River North neighborhood on July 14, 2022.
Zbigniew Bzdak / baiduhaiIndoor dining returns to Chicago-area restaurants, including MacArthur's Restaurant on West Madison Street on June 26, 2020.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiCody Talkie, a server at Empire Burgers & Brew in Naperville, cleans windows on the skydeck in preparation for the reopening of outdoor dining spaces for Illinois restaurants in May. The retractable ceiling and walls allow the restaurant to utilize a significant amount of square footage for tables.
Abel Uribe / baiduhaiPatrons wait to be seated inside the Pilsen Yards restaurant after the governor permitted restaurants to open for indoor dining on Jan. 23, 2021.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiIzzy Gutierrez waits tables at Hecho en Oak Park taqueria as Malina Contreras and Jose Guzman dine on Oct. 26, 2020.
Stacey Wescott / baiduhaiServer Moises Montano, center, clears away breakfast dishes from Tony Marineau, left, of Cary, and Anthony Tako, right, of Barrington, at Egg Harbor Cafe on June 26, 2020 in Barrington. The restaurant was able to seat 18 tables on the first day of indoor dining for the public.
Antonio Perez / baiduhaiTwo determined customers brave the cold temperatures and wind for a chilly outdoor breakfast at Wildberry Pancakes and Cafe on Randolph Street in Chicago on Jan. 19, 2021. With indoor service restricted due to coronavirus, a handful of determined hungry customers ate outside.
E. Jason Wambsgans / baiduhaiThe dining room is prepared to be packed up during the last days of Lawry's the Prime Rib, closing after 46 years at 100 E. Ontario St., on Dec. 21, 2020.
Terrence Antonio James / baiduhaiA server talks to diners at The Smith restaurant on North Clark Street in Chicago's River North neighborhood on Sept. 21, 2022. Several blocks on the street were blocked off to automobile traffic to give restaurants expanded seating during the COVID-19 pandemic. There is a proposal to make the street closure permanent.
Terrence Antonio James / baiduhaiA restaurant is shuttered temporarily on North Franklin Street near Lake Street in Chicago on March 16, 2020, as the city grapples with containing the COVID-19 virus.
Youngrae Kim / baiduhaiPeople eat in plastic dining domes in the Old Town neighborhood of Chicago on Nov. 28, 2020.
Armando L. Sanchez / baiduhaiWearing a protective mask, hostess Kelsey Roden walks by patron Mike Flaherty while he sits on the Lakefront Restaurant patio at Theater on the Lake, Aug. 6, 2020 in Chicago.
Youngrae Kim / baiduhaiShoppers walk past outdoor dining structures during Black Friday holiday shopping at Old Orchard Mall in Skokie on Nov. 27, 2020.
Zbigniew Bzdak / baiduhaiAbraham Ramirez, left, serves water to Candy Hanslik of Elgin and Lois Perry, right, of Naperville during lunch at Foxfire Restaurant in Geneva on Oct. 27, 2020. The restaurant was granted a court order to continue indoor dining as the only legally operating indoor restaurant in Kane and DuPage counties, despite COVID-19 restrictions.
Armando L. Sanchez / baiduhaiWaitress Lauren Quinn, 36, talks with her aunt Donna Quinn-Tworek, 57, while her sister Kirsten Quinn, 35, snacks on bread while dining at Pazzi Di Pizza, Oct. 29, 2020 in Park Ridge. Five Park Ridge restaurant owners, including Pazzi Di Pizza, filed a lawsuit that week against Gov. J.B. Pritzker, objecting to the governor's order shutting down indoor dining at bars and restaurants.
John J. Kim / baiduhaiGuests eat inside an enclosed, outdoor dining room outside Boqueria, 807 W. Fulton Market, to comply with COVID-19 guidelines on Dec. 31, 2020, in Chicago.
Steve Sadin / Lake County News-SunAn employee at Pepe's Mexican Restaurant in Waukegan cleans and sanitizes a table for the next customers, but there is no more indoor dining as of 12:01 a.m. Oct. 31, 2020.
John J. Kim / baiduhaiManager Richard Koskowski places bottles of hand sanitizer on tables in an outdoor tent dining area for Formento's Italian restaurant on Nov. 11, 2020, in Chicago.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiMichael, Julianna and Angela Severino dine inside a pod tent, Dec. 2, 2020, at Bien Trucha restaurant in Geneva.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiA person walks by outdoor plastic dining bubbles in the Fulton Market district of Chicago on Oct. 15, 2020.
Stacey Wescott/baiduhaiKiki Roumeliotis serves breakfast to the only customers in the restaurant, Chuck and Marilyn Beto of Hanover Park, at the Canteen on March 16, 2020, in Barrington. The Betos had to go out for some medical testing so they decided to stop at the Canteen because they said "it is a good place to stop for breakfast."
Zbigniew Bzdak / baiduhaiLukas Soucek, left, Robert Gobeli, Ella Knight and Chris Castrogiovanni have lunch as the River North Portillo's Hot Dogs opens for dine-in service on June 26, 2020.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiDoug and Kim White of Lombard sit in their van as Kizuna Sushi General Manager Gino Crededio Jr. brings out their order in Glen Ellyn on Dec. 11, 2020. The Whites use their "mobile dining room" for dinner about once a week.
Armando L. Sanchez / baiduhaiA pedestrian walks by as patrons dine at Pazzi Di Pizza, Oct. 29, 2020 in Park Ridge.
Jose M. Osorio / baiduhaiKatie Klein, a hostess at Wilde restaurant in Chicago stands behind plexiglass for outdoor service on June 12, 2020.
Stacey Wescott / baiduhaiPeople dine on the outdoor patio at Quigley's Irish Pub on May 29, 2020, in Naperville.
Antonio Perez / baiduhaiShann Zhon, Mars Guo, and Kevin Zhang record themselves eating for a possible blog as guests dine in during the reopening of the MingHin Cuisine restaurant in Chicago's Chinatown on June 26, 2020.
John J. Kim / baiduhaiDining tables are set at least 6 feet apart in the patio at Big Star on July 1, 2020, in Chicago.
Jose M. Osorio / baiduhaiSignage on North Broadway in Chicago on June 12, 2020. Broadway became the first street to close several blocks to allow extra outdoor dining space for restaurants as part of Chicago's pilot program.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiA table sits empty in the closed dining room of Triple Crown Restaurant on Wentworth Avenue in Chicago's Chinatown neighborhood on July 16, 2020. The restaurant is only open for carryout and delivery.
Zbigniew Bzdak / baiduhaiJerome Baker, bartender at Emerald Loop holds daughter Shiloh while restaurant industry operators and employees listen as Sam Toia, president of the Illinois Restaurant Association talks about Pritzker's order to halt indoor dining in Chicago on Oct. 30, 2020.
Zbigniew Bzdak / baiduhaiBlackbird restaurant in Chicago on June 29, 2020, announced it would close permanently.
Abel Uribe / baiduhaiPatrons enjoy drinks and lunch in the semi-open area of Pilsen Yards restaurant in Pilsen, after Gov. J.B. Pritzker allowed restaurants to open for indoor dining on Jan. 23, 2021.
John J. Kim / baiduhaiChef Lawrence Letrero turns on a heat lamp for outdoor dining at his Filipino-Cuban restaurant, Bayan Ko, on Oct. 21, 2021, in Chicago.
John J. Kim / baiduhaiA worker calls out a customer's name as Friday-night diners maintain social distancing while waiting for takeout food from Acadia restaurant, 1639 S. Wabash Ave., on March 27, 2020, in Chicago. The restaurant's dining room is closed because of the coronavirus pandemic.
John J. Kim / baiduhaiA worker checks the temperature of a guest before entering Paradise Park on July 1, 2020, in Chicago.
Zbigniew Bzdak / baiduhaiCustomer Jennifer Gutilla orders food during lunch on the patio at Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse in Chicago on June 24, 2020.
Zbigniew Bzdak / baiduhaiSchoop's Hamburgers opened to dine-in customers in Valparaiso, Indiana, on May 11, 2020.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiJose Utrera and Adriana Tirado of Logan Square dine at The Whale on Milwaukee Avenue in Chicago on Aug. 12, 2020.
Abel Uribe / baiduhaiPatrons have lunch in the semi-open area of Pilsen Yards restaurant on Jan. 23, 2021.
Terrence Antonio James / baiduhaiJesus Quiroz and his wife, Mercedes Cruz, were forced to close their Mexican restaurant Taqueria Sabor y Sazon, which they owned and operated for seven years in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood. They closed the business May 15, 2020, because the coronavirus pandemic shut down nearby schools, which were a major source of revenue.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiFood Fetch delivery driver Vuk Simovic picks up a carryout order from Cozy Corner owner Georgia Dravlas on Oct. 26, 2020 in Oak Park. New restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19 closed indoor dining in suburban Cook County.
Chris Sweda / baiduhaiPeople dine inside La Sorella Di Francesca in downtown Naperville on Feb. 2, 2021. Chicago and some collar counties moved to phase four of the state's reopening plan on Jan. 31. Bars and restaurants can now seat up to six guests at a table.
John J. Kim / baiduhaiFront of house manager Tara Young takes a customer call while sorting through bags of to-go pantry items put together by staff at Found Kitchen on May 8, 2020, in Evanston. The restaurant has pivoted its business to offering pantry items and specialty meals for pick-up during the coronavirus pandemic.
Jose M. Osorio / baiduhaiInn manager Kelly Schmidt works in the back dining room at Longman & Eagle in Logan Square on Nov. 16, 2020. Schmidt was researching decoration ideas for the six rooms at the inn for the holidays. Many area restaurants are choosing to close for winter. Among them is Longman & Eagle, which continues to operate its inn from the restaurant, but decided the best way to preserve the restaurant was to save money and wait for spring.
Terrence Antonio James / baiduhaiSandy Huitron, left, and Douglas Hammen talk to server Rafaela Lourenco at Formento's restaurant on West Randolph Street in Chicago on Feb. 2, 2021.
Jose M. Osorio / baiduhaiDryHop Brewers patrons dine in the outdoor seating area, with some on the sidewalk, left, and some on the street on Broadway on June 12, 2020. Broadway became the first Chicago street to close several blocks to allow extra outdoor dining space for restaurants during the summer.
Terrence Antonio James / baiduhaiPeople walk along North Clark Street past outdoor seating for diners in the River North neighborhood on Sept. 21, 2022.
Armando L. Sanchez / baiduhaiAn employee cleans a dining table inside a small greenhouse at the The Darling on Oct. 22, 2020 in Chicago.
Erin Hooley / baiduhai / baiduhaiPeople dine outside at Prairie Grass Cafe, Sept. 22, 2020, in Northbrook. The restaurant invested in ultraviolet air purification technology in its HVAC units for colder months when indoor dining is the only option.
Abel Uribe / baiduhaiEvelyn Delgado pours a beer while patrons enjoy drinks and dinner at Hawkeye's Bar & Grill on Taylor Street in Little Italy on Feb. 2, 2021.
Brian Cassella / baiduhaiServer Katherine Ceron delivers food to customers dining on the outdoor patio at Tweet in Edgewater on June 3, 2020, for the first time since coronavirus restrictions closed restaurants.
Terrence Antonio James / baiduhaiPedestrians walk past a barricade as people dine outdoors on North Clark Street in the River North neighborhood on Sept. 21, 2022. Several blocks on the street were blocked off to automobile traffic to give restaurants expanded seating during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Antonio Perez / baiduhaiKevin Holland, left, and Jay Weisenfels, sit and dine under a spacious tent at Bar Siena in the West Loop on Sept. 30, 2021.
E. Jason Wambsgans / baiduhaiOutoor dining at Piccolo Sogno, Oct. 28, 2020.
Youngrae Kim / baiduhaiJacob Welch busses a table in a dome after customers leave at Jerry's Sandwiches in Chicago on Jan. 22, 2021.
Abel Uribe / baiduhaiPeople enjoy drinks in Little Italy on Feb. 2, 2021.
John J. Kim/baiduhaiA customer sits with a cup of coffee in the socially distanced dining area at a McDonald's restaurant in the 1900 block of North Western Avenue on Jan. 23, 2021, in Chicago. The city and suburban Cook County are now open for indoor dining under COVID-19 guidelines, the first time since October of 2020. Restaurants, for now, may reopen indoor dining operations at 25% capacity or 25 people per space, whichever is fewer.
Armando L. Sanchez / baiduhaiWhile the inside sits empty, Bob Hook, left, and Holly King drink and dine outside the Jarvis Square Tavern in the Rogers Park neighborhood, Sept. 28, 2020, in Chicago.
Brian Cassella/baiduhaiRey Guzman hangs a sign at the Emporium bar in the West Loop on March 15, 2020, soon after Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced all bars and restaurants would close to dine-in customers.
Armando L. Sanchez/baiduhaiBruce Linderman wears a bandana over his face while looking up at order tickets as he talks to a customer over the phone at BWB Rocks, April 22, 2020, in Highland Park.
Abel Uribe / baiduhaiPatrons eat lunch inside a semi-open area of the Pilsen Yards restaurant in Pilsen on Jan. 23, 2021, after Gov. J.B. Pritzker allowed restaurants to open for indoor dining.
Zbigniew Bzdak / baiduhaiAthena Medina, left, Rachel Soglin and Kathryn Smith listen as Russell Kook, executive chef, holds a staff meeting at Gibsons Bar & Steakhouse on Rush Street in Chicago on June 24, 2020. He introduced new dishes for staff to sample.
John J. Kim / baiduhaiGuests eat inside enclosed, outdoor dining tents at RPM Seafood to comply with COVID-19 restrictions on Dec. 31, 2020, in Chicago.
Antonio Perez / baiduhaiWaitress Norma Ruiz brings out food to outdoor dinning customers Imelda Caballero, center, and her cousin Guadalupe Cisneros at 5 Rabanitos in Chicago's Pilsen neighborhood on Nov. 5, 2020.
Armando L. Sanchez / baiduhaiKsenia Belajeva takes glasses from the table while Mario Carrasco, 60, dines with his daughter Jalyssa Carrasco, 17, and wife Maddy Carrasco, 41, at Empire Burgers & Brew, Oct. 20, 2020 in Naperville.
Brian Cassella/baiduhaiThe last customers visit Time Out Market in the West Loop on March 15, 2020, as it announced plans to close "indefinitely." Soon after, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced all bars and restaurants would be closed to dine-in customers.
Jose M. Osorio / baiduhaiDonovan Martinez, left, wipes down booths as Laura Salas wipes down chairs in the dining area at The Perch in Chicago on Aug. 19, 2020.
Stacey Wescott / baiduhaiJennifer Rudzinski puts away freshly made cakes in the cooler at Brown Sugar Bakery in the Chatham neighborhood on June 10, 2020 in Chicago. Owner Stephanie Hart and other nearby food business owners worked with Mayor Lightfoot and the City of Chicago to allow them to close small portions of side streets to provide seating for outdoor dining.
Zbigniew Bzdak / baiduhaiK.C. Gulbro, left, owner and chef, and Samantha Stancio sanitize the Foxfire Restaurant before lunch in Geneva on Oct. 27, 2020. They were granted a court order to continue indoor dining as the only legally operating indoor restaurant in Kane and DuPage counties, despite COVID-19 restrictions.
Terrence Antonio James / baiduhai
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People dine outdoors on North Clark Street in Chicago's River North neighborhood on July 14, 2022.
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By Gregory Royal Pratt | [email protected] | baiduhai
PUBLISHED: | UPDATED:
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Chicago will keep the current indoor dining limits at restaurants in place even if the state allows the city to loosen capacity rules Monday, Mayor Lori Lightfoot said.
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The mayor released a statement Friday lauding Chicago’s decreasing COVID-19 numbers, but said it is too soon to increase capacity at bars and restaurants.
Under state rules, Chicago must reduce its test positivity rate to 6.5% or less for three consecutive days before it can use looser rules. Friday was the first day Chicago was under 6.5%, city officials said.
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“I am filled with hope as we continue to trend in the right direction and roll out the lifesaving COVID-19 vaccine,” Lightfoot said in a statement. “However, we still have more work to do and we must remain diligent in the fight against this deadly, unceasing virus. I am optimistic that we will be able to increase capacity soon, but it would be irresponsible and dangerous to rush to reopen further and undo the incredible progress we have made as a city.”
Under the current rules, indoor dining and indoor events are limited to 25% capacity or 25 people per space. That will remain in place even if the city reaches the next phase Monday.
Though Lightfoot has positioned herself as a friend to bars and restaurants, especially after Pritzker closed down indoor dining in October, she has faced criticism for implementing tighter rules than the state.
Twitter @royalpratt