chicago_skyline_illinois-cropped

CHICAGO (AP) — Restrictions aimed at limiting spread of the coronavirus in Chicago’s restaurants and bars will ease slightly this week.

Lori Lightfoot

Mayor Lori Lightfoot announced the decision Monday as Illinois officials said 1,709 new confirmed cases of the coronavirus have been reported statewide and 13 more people have died. Illinois has reported 289,639 confirmed cases and 8,614 deaths.

Chicago is letting restaurants increase capacity from 25% to 40% – with a cap at 50 people within one room. Bars without food service, which the city shut down this summer after a brief reopening, can resume indoor service at 25% or a maximum of 50 people.