COVID-19 update for Cook County
Cook County Health's Vaccination Strategy Continues to Progress
Cook County is developing a multi-pronged approach to vaccine administration to expand current capacity, ensure an equitable distribution of vaccine in vulnerable communities, and help safely restore critical public services. As vaccine supply increases, additional Points of Distribution (PODs) will be considered. All sites require an appointment.
Federal Vaccination Center to open at United Center March 9
A FEMA-run Community Vaccination Center will be set up in the parking lot of the United Center and will have the capacity to administer 6,000 vaccinations per day for at least eight weeks. The Pfizer vaccine will be used through March, and the vaccine will be administered via a combination of walk-up and drive-through services.
The site will operate by appointment only. Seniors will have first access to appointments. People 65 and older can go online to Zocdoc or call 312-746-4835 to schedule an appointment. Those with computer access are encouraged to use it so that those without can more easily register by phone.
Any remaining available slots will open to those eligible in the 1B+ category, with registration beginning 4 p.m. Sunday, March 7. Those in the 1B+ category should also use Zocdoc or call 312-746-4835 to make appointments.
Phase 1B+ includes:
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Pulmonary disease
- Smoking
- Heart condition
- Chronic kidney disease
- Cancer
- Solid organ transplant
- Sickle cell disease
- Pregnancy
- Persons with a disability (not otherwise covered in previous categories)
New mitigation order aligns phase 4 in Chicago & Suburban Cook County with the rest of the state
Encouraging COVID-19 metrics have prompted a new mitigation order, which increases capacity limits in bars, restaurants, and event spaces and includes masking language, reinforcing the need for all over two years of age who can medically tolerate wearing masks to do so in public places. The complete list is as follows:
All Businesses and Individuals
- Any individual who is over age two and able to medically tolerate a mask shall be required to wear a mask when in a public place, which for purposes of this Order includes any common or shared space in: (1) a residential multi-unit building or (2) any non-residential building.
- Mask refers to a complete and tight knit fabric or cloth, or medical mask that is appropriately sized for the individual’s face to snuggly cover the nasal openings and mouth without the necessity of being held in place by the individual’s hands.
Bars, Restaurants, Private Clubs, Country Clubs (All businesses that offer food or beverages for on-premises consumption—including, but not limited to, restaurants, bars, grocery stores, and food halls):
- Indoor service is limited to the lesser of 50 patrons or 40% of capacity per room.
- Food must be available at all times in order to offer indoor service. Bars, taverns or breweries without a food license can reopen indoors as long as they partner with a food establishment (e.g., making menus available and allowing delivery, allowing patrons to order from third-party delivery services).
- Indoor and outdoor table size limited to no more than six people.
- Table placement must allow for parties to be seated 6 feet apart from one another. Bar seating allowed with 6 feet between parties. All staff must be masked at all times. Patrons are required to be masked unless actively eating. Those seated at the bar must be masked and not allowed to sit unmasked unless eating or actively drinking. If a patron is unmasked a member of the restaurant staff must ask the customer to mask and if not complied with after requested to leave. Failure to require patrons to be masked will be seen as a violation of the establishment to operate safely.
- No congregating of patrons allowed prior to being seated. Customers waiting for a table must wait socially-spaced outdoors.
- Outdoor service includes
- Rooms with retractable roofs;
- Rooftops;
- Multi-party structures, such as tents, with at least 50% of walls open
- Single-party structures, such as igloos, with proper ventilation; and/or
- Tables indoors within eight feet of an open wall or window that is at least 50% open to the outdoor air.
Meetings, Social Events and Gatherings - including, but not limited to, weddings, potlucks, etc.
- Indoor events allowed at the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 50 individuals. Events must follow indoor dining guidelines.
Indoor and Outdoor Activities
- Parks, Outdoor Attractions, and professional major and minor league sports stadiums
- Each outdoor space is limited to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 100 individuals, while practicing social distancing.
- Indoor spaces (e.g., field houses, indoor exhibit spaces) limited to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 50 individuals per partitioned space.
- Group size for outdoor activities is limited to a maximum of 50 people per group, with total capacity limited to 100 people while maintaining appropriate social distancing.
- Zoos limited to 25% capacity.
- Flea Markets – In addition to following Illinois DCEO Retail Guidelines and where applicable food service and sale requirements:
- Venue capacity limited to 25% capacity.
- Flea Market operators must have a wellness screening program and provide safety materials to all vendors before arriving on site. Operators must also conduct pre-shift and 5-hour shift screenings of the vendors.
- Indoor Recreation Centers (e.g., arcades)
- Indoor spaces limited to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 50 individuals per space.
- If the facility has an outdoor component, each outdoor space is limited to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 100 individuals, while practicing social distancing.
- Organized Group Recreational Activities (i.e., sports, indoor sports & activities facilities) Not applicable to professional sports.
- Limit group sporting and recreational activities including youth and adult recreational sports to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 50 individuals indoors. This includes park districts and travel leagues.
- Group size for outdoor activities is limited to a maximum of 50 people per group, with total capacity limited to 100 people while maintaining appropriate social distancing.
- Individual training may continue (with facility reservation)
- Locker rooms and showers can remain open, if strict and frequent cleaning measures are in place.
- Illinois All Sports Policy is required to be followed for sports play level and allowances.
- All sports participants playing indoors must be masked or play risk level will be elevated per Illinois All Sports Policy.
Bowling
- Operate at the lesser of 200 people or 50% of venue capacity.
- Groups of bowlers of up to 50 people will be separated by two unused, or “dark” lanes.
- Refer to the Restore Illinois Phase 4 Bowling Guidelines on the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity website.
Arts and Culture
- Museums
- Capacity limited to 25% occupancy.
- Guided tours limited to 50 individuals per group.
- Performance Venues and Movie Theaters
- Indoor spaces limited to the lesser of 40% capacity or a maximum of 50 individuals per space.
- If the facility has an outdoor component, each outdoor space is limited to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 100 individuals, while practicing social distancing.
- Group size for outdoor activities is limited to a maximum of 50 people.
- Film & TV Production
- Encourage production to limit groups of cast and crew to no more than 50 individuals in confined rooms or spaces
- Limit capacity to 50% for all indoor spaces, while still adhering to gathering size restriction
Health and Fitness Centers
- Indoor facilities are limited to a maximum of 40% capacity.
- Patrons and staff are required to be masked at all times unless actively eating or drinking.
- Gatherings of employees and customers in common areas (e.g., check-in area) is limited to a maximum of 50 individuals, while ensuring proper social distancing.
- Indoor fitness classes limited to 15 individuals.
- Outdoor fitness classes are limited to a maximum of 50 individuals, while ensuring proper social distancing.
- Locker rooms and showers can remain open if strict and frequent cleaning measures are in place.
- Ancillary accommodations, including saunas and steam rooms, where social distancing and frequent cleaning cannot take place, must remain closed.
Personal Services
- Indoor space limited to the lesser of 40% capacity or 50 individuals, while practicing social distancing.
- If a service requires the removal of face coverings (e.g., facials, beard trimmings) employees must wear both a mask and eye protection (e.g. face shield, protective glasses).
Retail Stores
- General merchandise stores, “big box” stores that offer groceries and pharmacy, and convenience stores limited to a maximum of 40% capacity.
- Grocery stores and pharmacies limited to a maximum of 50% capacity.
- Gatherings of employees and customers at choke points is limited to no more than 50 individuals, while ensuring proper social distancing.
- Smoking is permitted in hookah stores, cigar lounges and other retail tobacco shops. Limited to the lesser of 40% capacity, or 50 individuals per room, while ensuring proper social distancing
Hotel & Accommodations
- Gatherings in common spaces (e.g. lobby area) is limited to the lesser of 40% capacity, or 50 individuals, while ensuring proper social distancing.
- Fitness centers limited to a maximum of 40% capacity. Hotel guests are required to be masked at all times in the fitness center.
- Event and meeting spaces limited to 40% capacity, to a maximum of 50 individuals.
Short-Term Rentals
- Gatherings limited to no more than 10 individuals in a single rental property or associated building common area/room, following building and individual property owner guidance.
Office Buildings
- All employees who can work remotely are encouraged work remotely.
- If remote work is not possible, limit capacity to 40% for all indoor spaces, including tenant spaces.
- Limit gatherings of occupants in cafeterias, meeting rooms, tenant lounges, and other gathering points to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 50 individuals.
Residential Buildings
- Indoor gatherings within private residences limited to 10 individuals.
- Limit capacity in common areas and amenity spaces (e.g., conference rooms, tenant lounges) to the lesser of 40% capacity, or a maximum of 50 individuals for indoor spaces or activities, while ensuring proper social distancing.
Businesses
- Manufacturing
- Limit gatherings of employees in cafeterias, meeting rooms and other gathering points to no more than 50 people, while ensuring proper social distancing.
- Construction
- Limit capacity to no more than 50 people in any meetings or choke points on the site (e.g., ingress/egress spots)
- Transportation and Warehousing
- Limit gatherings of employees in cafeterias, meeting rooms and other gathering points to no more than 50 people, while ensuring proper social distancing.
Healthcare
- Limit gatherings of individuals in cafeterias, meeting rooms, and other gathering points to no more than 50 individuals, while ensuring proper social distancing.
Transportation
- Busses/Trains
- 15 passenger limit on 40-ft buses.
- 22 passenger limit on 60-ft buses and all train cars.
- Taxis and Rideshares
- Vehicles limited to a maximum of 9 individuals, including the driver.
"Face covering or mask" in this order refers to a complete and tight-knit fabric or cloth, or medical mask that is appropriately sized for the individual’s face to snuggly cover the nasal openings and mouth without the necessity of being held in place by the individual’s hands.
Cook County Department of Public Health may allow variance to this order on a case-by-case review basis which would be based on, but not limited to, Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity and Illinois Department of Public Health policy and guideline updates.
Early studies of the UK and other variants have shown the variants spread more rapidly and easily than what we have seen previously. Experts warn of another potential surge due to these variants in the next several months. Because of this, it is vital for people to remain vigilant and continue to wear their masks, keep a six-foot distance, avoid large gatherings, and get vaccinated when they are eligible.
City partners with Zocdoc for vaccine registration
The Zocdoc Vaccine Scheduler is free and is designed to streamline vaccine scheduling.
Here's how it works:
- Chicago residents can visit zocdoc.com/vaccine.
- Users will be asked to confirm their location and eligibility.
- If eligible, Zocdoc will show nearby vaccination locations and their real-time appointment availability.
- Eligible patients will then be able to select a date, time, and location, and instantly book an appointment online. If no appointments are available, residents can sign up to be notified when new options come online.
Additional help for small businesses and nonprofits
Special application period for businesses with fewer than 20 employees
The Small Business Administration (SBA) announced the establishment of an exclusive Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loan application period until March 8, 2021 for businesses and nonprofits with fewer than 20 employees. This will give lenders and community partners more time to work with the smallest businesses to submit their applications.
The Cook County network of over 35 partners is available to assist small businesses.
- The Cook County Small Business Assistance Program is offering assistance for businesses interested in completing a PPP application. Interested businesses can sign-up here.
- Small businesses can reach out to our network’s lending partners Lendistry or AlliesForCommunityBusiness/CRF, a Community Development Financial Institution, or a local bank to apply directly. While the general application deadline is March 31, 2021, businesses with fewer than 20 employees are encouraged to apply by March 8--before larger businesses also become eligible.
- Sign up for free small business one-on-one business advising services here.
The COVID-19 Job Training and Placement Program is Underway
The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership
The Chicago Cook Workforce Partnership is receiving $4 million from Cook County in Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and CARES Act funding. The funding will support training, placement, and career coaching programs for job seekers and provide additional resources for employers and training providers serving or located in suburban Cook County.
Forest Preserve District of Cook County
Plan now for better days ahead!
Picnic permits for 2021 available now
It's time to make plans for 2021!
As you might expect, permitting processes and policies have changed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Permits for 2021 are available for purchase online or by telephone. Visit the website below, or call 800-870-3666, option 1. Due to anticipated high call volume, the best way to book a space will be through our website.
In-person permit sales are not currently available as the Forest Preserves General Headquarters is closed per the new COVID measures.
Unique event spaces available
Permits are available now for indoor events to be held in 2021. Events will be available at the Volunteer Resource Center/Edgebrook, Dan Ryan, and Thatcher Woods only.
Reminders when visiting the preserves:
All social distancing requirements apply. Wear a cloth mask.
Do not visit the forest preserves if you are sick or experiencing symptoms, or if you have been in contact with someone who has been diagnosed with COVID-19 in the last two weeks.
Carry and use hand sanitizer if you touch handrails or other surfaces.
If you witness people not observing social distancing guidelines, please call the forest preserve non-emergency number: 708-771-1000.
Stay at home if you are sick or experiencing symptoms.
Everything you need to know about Cook County
My door is always open . . .
Cook County is responsible for providing essential services in the areas of public safety, public health, the court system, elections, tax assessment and appeals, recording deeds, and managing forest preserves. As an independent-minded member of the Board, I have worked hard to combine fiscal responsibility with social awareness. I am honored to serve the people of the 9th district, which includes: portions of the far northwest side of Chicago; Park Ridge, River Forest, Elmwood Park, Harwood Heights, Mount Prospect, Norridge, River Grove, Rosemont, and Schiller Park; portions of Arlington Heights, Melrose Park, Morton Grove, Niles, and Prospect Heights; and unincorporated Norwood Park, Maine, and Wheeling Townships.
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