As Illinois enters phase four of Gov. J.B. Pritzker’s reopening plan, gatherings of up to 50 people as well as restricted indoor dining at restaurants will be allowed. Other phase four perks include a limited reopening of movie theaters and performing arts centers, zoos and museums.
The Tribune is keeping a running list of what’s reopening in the Chicago area. Check back for updates.
Note: All venues reopening have new procedures to conform with phase four guidelines, including for capacity ticketing. Check each venue’s website for specific details.
Public spaces
- The Elmhurst History Museum reopened June 26 with the exhibit “The Great Midwestern Road Trip.”
- The Shedd Aquarium will open to members July 1 and to the general public July 3.
- The Illinois Holocaust Museum in Skokie is reopening July 15.
- The Morton Arboretum reopened June 1.
- The Chicago Botanic Garden reopened on June 9.
- The Lincoln Park Zoo reopened to members June 26 and is opening to the general public on a reservation basis June 29.
- The Brookfield Zoo is scheduled to reopen July 1 for members and July 8 for the general public.
- The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum, in Springfield, reopened July 1.
Courts
- Almost all Cook County court functions can resume, mostly via videoconference, on July 6.
Restaurant/bars
- All restaurants and bars can reopen with 25% capacity limit, but not all will be open. Check our lists for restaurants open for outdoor dining and delivery, takeout or curbside pickup.
Fitness clubs/gyms
- Health and fitness clubs in Illinois can open at half their capacity with group classes of up to 50 people, as long as they can practice social distancing. But restrictions are tighter in Chicago.
Farmers markets
- Farmers markets across the Chicago area have already begun to reopen. See our guide for a map and COVID-19 restrictions.
Casinos/video gaming
- Casinos and video gaming operators across the state can reopen on July 1, with capacity limits, social distancing and other required measures.
Indoor movie theaters
- Classic Cinemas reopened June 26 in the suburbs with limited seating and other safety precautions, showing classic movies.
- The Music Box Theatre reopened June 26 showing movies in its open-air back garden, which can seat 20-30 audience members. Screenings inside the cinema’s main 750-seat auditorium will resume July 3 with “2001: A Space Odyssey” in 70mm.
Outdoor movie theaters
- Many temporary drive-in theaters have joined those already established, showing classic family movies.
Theater
- Chicago’s Steppenwolf Theatre has reduced its 2020-21 season of shows down to four mainstage productions and now plans to resume live operations in mid December.
Concerts
- Both FitzGerald’s Nightclub in Berwyn and the Lake County Fairgrounds are hosting upcoming “carpool concerts,” where guests can take in live music from their car’s interior.
Amusement parks
- A new adventure park, The Forge: Lemont Quarries, will open July 17. The park includes eight towers connected by 2 miles of zip lines and 260-plus high ropes course elements, as well as mountain biking, kayaking, laser tag, an amphitheater and a beer garden.
