City announces pilot projects to provide relief to local businesses through expanded outdoor dining space and recreational activities

Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot today joined Commissioners Gia Biagi and Rosa Escareno from the Chicago Departments of Transportation (CDOT) and Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) to announce Chicago’s ‘Our Streets’ plan.

The plan is designed to open and convert residential streets and commercial corridors for alternative uses. Specifically the two uses outlined here:

• One, to accommodate outdoor dining.
• Two, to provide Chicagoans with additional transportation options and space for outside recreational activities.

The six pilot streets are:

• Chatham: 75^th Street from Calumet Avenue to Indiana Avenue
• Lakeview: Broadway from Belmont Avenue to Diversey Parkway
• Little Village: 26^th Street from Central Park to Harding Avenue
• Rush & Division: Rush Street from Oak Street to Cedar Street
• Near West Side: Taylor Street from Loomis Street to Ashland Avenue
• West Loop: Randolph Street from Expressway no further than Elizabeth Street

The areas were selected based according to location, proximity to local businesses and residents along with taking into consideration the ease of walking, biking and impact to traffic.

The roads in the designated areas will be closed to thru traffic during specified hours. During these hours restaurants will be allowed to move tables and chairs into the streets to accommodate additional capacity.

After the initial pilots have launched, the City will evaluate the potential to expand programming to other areas in the City.

“As our City looks to move into the next phase of our reopening framework, it is essential that we take additional steps to protect the health and safety of Chicagoans as they visit local businesses and travel throughout the city,” said Mayor Lightfoot. “This vision to reimagine some of Chicago’s residential streets and key restaurant corridors allows for increased social distancing and adherence to public health guidance as we begin the gradual reopening of our great city. In coming days and weeks, I look forward to expanding these pilot projects citywide with input from the public and local stakeholders.”

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