On March 2, Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced that the city will allow bars and restaurants to boost indoor capacity to 50% and remain open until 1 a.m., The Chicago Tribune reported.
Lightfoot also will allow liquor stores to sell alcohol until 11 p.m. and boost the number of people allowed at indoor fitness classes to 20. Indoor capacity for bars and restaurants will be capped at 50 people per space.
The indoor dining expansion was “another step in the right direction,” Illinois Restaurant Association President Sam Toia said. But Toia said he believes the city and state can offer even more to his industry. He wants the cap for private gatherings in Illinois to go up from 50 people to 150 as spring approaches and weddings, communions, bar mitzvahs and other events might happen.
Also, Toia said his group has lobbied Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker to move restaurant workers up the vaccine line.