reopen illinois

The Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago announced that it will reopen July 24 with free admission through the end of August. After months of being closed due to the coronavirus pandemic, the MCA will welcome the public back with new museum hours and restricted capacity to allow for social distancing. Starting next Friday, the museum will be open on Fridays…

Chicago’s Field Museum has announced plans to reopen this month. The museum plans to reopen for members only beginning July 17 and will open to the public on July 24, according to its website. “Our top priority is to create a safe environment for all of our visitors and staff, while letting you reconnect with science and culture in the…

With the city entering into Phase four, the Circuit Court of Cook County announced it will resume in-person court proceedings on Monday. After being closed for months due to coronavirus concerns, court sessions will resume again with the exception of jury trials in Chicago. The circuit court will continue to hold hearings by video conference whenever possible to avoid face-to-face…

As the state entered phase four of its reopening plan Friday, zoos and museums began opening their doors to the public with new guidelines. The Illinois Department of Public Health released specific guidelines in which businesses planning to reopen in phase four are required to follow. Zoos were allowed to reopen with no more than 25% occupancy, and with interactive…

As pools started to open Friday as the Chicago Area entered phase 4 of its reopening plan, people can expect new safety guidelines in place. Swimming pools, water parks, splash pads and beaches were allowed reopen at 50% capacity Friday as Illinois entered phase four of its statewide reopening plan, according to state health officials. Swimming facilities are required to…

School will be different when a new academic year starts this fall, but whether students are still learning remotely or the number of days per week they attend class will likely vary by location and district. The Illinois State Board of Education is expected to release health and safety guidelines by the end of June for districts trying to prepare…

Chicago restaurants and bars can sell curbside cocktails under a new measure approved by City Council Wednesday.

Drive-in movie theaters are starting to open across the Chicago area for some summer fun that complies with health guidelines on social distancing to prevent the spread of the deadly coronavirus. ChiTown Movies opened a new drive-in movie theater in Chicago’s Pilsen neighborhood located at 2343 S. Throop Street. The theater is screening “Grease” and “Coco” at various times through…

Illinois is currently in a five-phased process of reopening during the coronavirus pandemic, but as the situation and plan evolves it can be difficult to keep up with what each phase means. Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker first announced the plan in early May aiming to operate on a “region-by-region basis.” But at the time, the governor noted the plan...

Illinois restaurants and bars can sell curbside cocktails according to new legislation, Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced Tuesday. With efforts to expand the hospitality industry in phase 3 of reopening, Pritzker signed a bill allowing the sale of cocktails by bars and restaurants with liquor licenses for pickup and delivery. Cocktails can only be delivered in a sealed, labeled container with…

May 28: Gov. J.B. Pritzker says all four of Illinois’ health regions will be allowed to enter phase three of reopening beginning Friday.

As Illinois prepares to move into phase three at the end of the week, Gov. J.B. Pritzker held his daily coronavirus briefing downstate touching on daily statistics, nursing home updates and Illinois River flooding preparations. NBC 5’s Mary Ann Ahern reports.

The city’s iconic riverboats are ready to move again, but now with several new precautionary measures for riders. NBC 5’s Chris Hush reports.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is warning of unusual or aggressive rat behavior as the coronavirus pandemic leaves many restaurants shut down or running on limited service. Rodents rely on the food and waste generated from restaurants and other commercial establishments, especially in population dense areas, according to the CDC. The rats are now searching elsewhere. “Environmental health…

Though Starved Rock plans to open Friday, visitors should not expect to experience the state park at its full capacity. Due to state health guidelines and recent flooding, visitors will likely experience parking restrictions, trail access closures and temporary closures of the sites when parking lots reach capacity. Starved Rock expects the heaviest traffic congestion and possible park closures to…

Chicago workers should expect a different commute as they return to work in likely early June. In the Loop, commuters will see streets being cleaned, restaurants using outdoor seating methods and local retailers open at limited capacities, according to Michael Edwards, president and CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance. “Since Gov. Pritzker’s stay at home order, the Loop has consistently...

Though movie theaters cannot open until phase four of Illinois’ reopening plan, the industry released a plan Wednesday to safely welcome movie-goers through their doors. Under the proposed plan by the National Association of Theater Owners, movie theaters could safely reopen if the following criteria is met: Auditorium attendance is limited to 50% of their seat capacity All employees undergo…

As more businesses prepare to open doors entering phase three of the governor’s reopening plan, Cantigny Park in Wheaton will began its phased reopening starting June 1. As of next Monday, grounds-only access to the park will be open for Cantigny Park members and Honors Club members from 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. every day. Cantigny said it will limit…

All Secretary of State departments and offices will reopen for business on June 1, but driver services facilities will have varying dates and times and some will even have extended hours. NBC 5’s Christian Farr reports.