This information is being provided as a resource for our readers. Ultimately it is up to you what you and your family will do and if you choose to go out. If you have a fever or are feeling ill, please stay home and contact a medical professional.
Illinois will move into Phase 4 of reopening on Friday, June 26, 2020. What does that mean, and what will be opening? We went through the guidelines to give you this summarized list. See the full guidelines at the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity website.
Phase 4 sees Illinois with a continued decline in the rate of new COVID-19 cases. It allows for more openings and gatherings with 50 people or less. Testing has become widely available, and contact tracing is commonplace. Phase 4 is where we start to see the revitalization of sectors that have been closed or limited since the beginning of the pandemic response. Face coverings are still required in public spaces where social distancing cannot be maintained.
What’s Open in Illinois Phase 4
Health Care: All health care providers are open.
Education: Preschool through grade 12 schools, summer programs, higher education, and childcare can re-open under IDPH approved guidance.
Outdoor Recreation: All outdoor recreation is allowed. Some municipalities may continue to restrict or limit recreation opportunities, see Park District Statements below, or visit the individual parks websites to confirm your activity before heading out. Many aquatic centers are closed for the season, you can see the list of closed pools here.
Day Camps: Capacity limit of no more than 50% of facility occupancy with group sizes of 15. Water activities are permitted.
Youth and Recreational Sports: Competitive gameplay and tournaments are permitted. Spectators are limited to no more than 50% capacity, 20% seating capacity. Group size limited to 50 participants.
Retail: May reopen with capacity limit of 50%.
Bars and Restaurants:
- Indoor dining and drinking are now permitted for parties of up to 10 people.
- Indoor seating areas should allow for 6ft between parties; impermeable barriers may be installed between booths, which are 6ft apart.
Barbershops & Salons: including nail salons and other personal care services, can open with a capacity limit of 50%. No time restrictions on a massage or other services.
Gyms & Health Clubs: Open with capacity limited to 50% occupancy. Group fitness classes may run with 50 or fewer people spaced 6ft apart. Equipment shall have barriers or placed 6ft apart. Saunas, steam rooms, hot tubs are to remain closed. Face coverings should be worn by those not exercising.
Entertainment & Indoor Recreation:
- Movie Theaters and Performing Arts Centers may reopen with for ticketed events – no standing room only or general admission shows allowed. Indoor capacity is limited to 50 people or 50% capacity. Face coverings should be worn in the facility.
- Indoor facilities such as bowling alley’s and skating rinks can reopen to 50 people or 50% of the capacity.
- Indoor playgrounds and trampoline parks should remain closed.
- Clubhouses and communal gathering spaces are allowed to reopen
- Museums may reopen with a capacity of no more than 25% occupancy. Hands-on exhibits and touch screens should be removed or closed.
- Outdoor spectator events are allowed with ticketing – no standing room only or general admission shows permitted. The maximum capacity is 20%.
- Zoos may reopen at 25% occupancy. Hands-on exhibits and touch screens should be removed or closed. Indoor exhibits should be closed.
Park District Openings in Phase 4
Individual Park Districts have announced the following openings:
Updated June 22.
- outdoor basketball and volleyball courts are now opened
- Mitchell Pool will be opening for swim lessons, and lap swimming.
- Open Swim at Mitchell Pool will be coming in Phase 4, guidelines and procedures are still being finalized.
Lake Forest Parks & Recreation
- Forest Park Beach is open, there is a $25 daily fee per person for non-residents. There is no onsite parking for non-residents.
- Wildlife Discovery Center outdoor exhibits and trails are open
- Outdoor basketball, tennis and disc golf courses are open.
- Skateboard/BMX complex is open.
Vernon Hills Park District
- Family Aquatic Center will open June 27 for lap swimming – reservations are required.
- Public Swimming at the Family Aquatic Center will be available in Phase 4. Registration will be required for a time spot and the fee will be $4 per person for a 2-hour session.
- Parent & Tot Open Swim will be available M-F 10:15 a.m. – 12:15 p.m. limited to 50 total swimmers.
Zion Park District
- Summer Camp will resume on July 13
- Outdoor pickleball and basketball are open.
- The Health & Fitness Center will re-open on Monday July 6.
- Playgrounds will remain closed
- Heritage Park Sports Complex is open for youth and adult sports.
Public Library Openings in Phase 4
Individual Public Libraries have announced the following openings:
Updated June 29
Lake Villa District Library will re-open on Monday, June 29. Capacity will be limited and face coverings will be required. Public programs, imaginative play areas, and public seating areas will remain closed.
Round Lake Area Public Library will begin accepting return items on June 22. Curbside checkout will begin on July 6.
Vernon Area Public Library District will begin curbside pickup on June 23.
Wauconda Area Library will begin grab and go pick-ups.
Antioch Public Library will be opening starting June 29. There will be limited entry and patrons should stay for an hour or less. They will be on limited hours until July 13. Face masks are required.
- Curbside service available by appointment only
- Starting July 6 Grab & Go visits are available by appointment only. Curbside pick-up will still be available.
- All visitors over the age of 2 must wear facial covering.
- Follow all directional arrows ans signage.
- Time in the library is limited to 1 hour.
- General seating, study rooms, browsing newspapers and magazines, children’s toys and gaming tablets as well as book donations will not be available.
We ill continue to update as more announcements are made and details are available.
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