Chicago Set To Close More Streets For Outdoor-Dining Expansion

CHICAGO — City Hall announced plans for divert traffic to expanded in-street dining options in five neighborhoods starting Friday.

The street closures in Chatham, Chinatown, Little Italy, Edison Park and Andersonville are part of an effort to help restaurants rebound as the city reopens its economy after the months-long shutdown due the coronavirus crisis.

“Our city’s small and local businesses make up the fabric of our beloved neighborhoods, as well as represent the backbone of our economy, and thanks to this program, many of them will be able to safely welcome more customers, bring employees back to work, and recover from the shock of the COVID-19 crisis," Mayor Lori Lightfoot said. "As we move forward into phase four of our reopening framework, we hope to continue to expand this program even further and allow all of Chicago’s businesses to thrive.”

The new street closures for al fresco dining include:

• Balmoral Street, closed on both sides of North Clark in Andersonville.
• Chinatown Square, adjacent to Archer Avenue from Wentworth to Princeton.
• Taylor Street, between Loomis to Ashland in Little Italy.
• Oliphant Avenue Northwest Highway to the first alley to the north in Edison Park.
• 75th Street from Indiana to Calumet in Grand Crossing will have sidewalk dining areas.

City officials also have approved permits allowing more than 30 restaurants to use parking lots for outdoor dining for up to 180 days.