Mayor Lori E. Lightfoot, Chicago Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) Acting Commissioner Kenneth Meyer, Chicago Department of Transportation (CDOT) Commissioner Gia Biagi and Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events (DCASE) Acting Commissioner Erin Harkey will introduce an ordinance to extend the Expanded Outdoor Dining Program. Under the proposal, the City would extend the innovative Expanded Outdoor Dining Program through the 2022 calendar year. The program was created to offer safe outdoor dining options and support the City’s restaurant industry during the COVID-19 pandemic and has now become a unique way to stimulate outdoor dining year-round.

The Expanded Outdoor Dining Permit allows establishments with valid Retail Food Establishment, Tavern or Consumption on Premises-Incidental Activity liquor licenses to temporarily expand operations into the public way or other private property (i.e., parking lots and open space). The permit is good for up to 180 days, as long as the restaurant follows all rules and guidelines. In 2021, 179 Expanded Outdoor Dining Permits were issued representing 303 establishments, with 100 of those operating on private property throughout the City. To learn more about the Expanded Outdoor Dining Permit and to apply, visit www.chicago.gov