Reopening

Chicagoland
Business
Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force Report
A Message from the COVID-19
Economic Recovery Task Force Co-Chairs
and the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce President & CEO

Businesses in Chicagoland have a long history of supporting the communities we call home,
especially during times of crisis. For more than a century, the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce
has served as a trusted and independent voice for local businesses. Over this time, we have
worked collaboratively to develop innovations that meet our changing needs while also
advocating to ensure the region’s long-term economic prosperity. We represent more than 1,000
companies that employ over 400,000 workers and advise thousands of businesses through our
Small Business Development Center.

Our goal in issuing this report is simple: to accelerate Chicagoland’s economic recovery. Last
month, we convened a COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force comprised of 25 business and
civic leaders to discuss the logistics and practical issues of reopening our economy, as well as the
conditions necessary to do so safely and responsibly. The framework that follows represents the
collective wisdom of this diverse group. We sincerely thank all members of the Task Force for their
participation, input, and guidance. We also are grateful to Kivvit for their help putting this report
together.

The business community’s response during these extraordinary times must be flexible,
compassionate, and creative. The word that came up most frequently during our Task Force
meetings was trust — trust among employees that it’s safe to return to work, trust among
commuters that public transit is safe to ride, trust that we have clear guidance from public health
officials, and trust that testing and PPE are readily available for those who need them. Just to
name a few.

This report identifies a series of “must-haves” and action items that will expedite our economic
recovery. But COVID-19 isn’t the only seismic shift we are grappling with in 2020. The renewed
calls for racial equality and an end to systemic injustice sparked by the killing of George Floyd
in Minneapolis have gripped the entire nation. As we work together to rebuild our economy, we
must rebuild in a way that works for everyone, especially Black and Brown communities who have
long faced economic inequities and disparities that the COVID-19 pandemic has only exacerbated.

How the Chicagoland business community responds to both monumental events matters a great
deal. We must do what generations of Chicagoans before us have always done — reinvent our city
for the modern age. That is why we are making a Chicago Pledge and committing ourselves to
the difficult, ongoing work of building a more inclusive and resilient business community where all
residents have equal access to opportunity. We encourage all Chicagoland businesses to join us.
The Chicago Pledge
Recognizing the profound impact that COVID-19 has had on Chicagoland’s economy, as well as
the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on communities of color, we take the Chicago Pledge to:

BU Y LO CAL LY HI R E LOCA LLY IN V EST LO CA L LY L ISTEN & L E A RN

Buy from Chicago-area Hire and recruit Invest in disadvantaged Facilitate and promote
companies, particularly locally and forge new communities by conversations within
minority, women, and partnerships to diversify partnering with our companies and
disadvantaged business talent pipelines. community organizations our communities about
enterprises (MWDBEs) and to deliver volunteers and structural inequalities
small businesses, which other resources. related to economic
make up the backbone of opportunity, health
our regional supply chain. care, education, and
transportation.

The Chicagoland Chamber is firmly committed to getting people back to work as quickly as possible
and accelerating our economic recovery while simultaneously prioritizing issues of safety, trust, and
equity. It is our hope that the principles established in this document will offer useful guideposts to
deliver on this pledge for our global city — the greatest place to live and work.

Thank you,

Robin L. Brown, Joe Dominguez, Bruce Lubin, Jack Lavin,

Ingredion Incorporated ComEd CIBC US President & CEO,
Task Force Co-Chair Task Force Co-Chair Task Force Co-Chair and Chicagoland Chamber
Chair of the Chicagoland of Commerce
Chamber of Commerce

Reopening Chicagoland Business | Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force Report 3
CONTENTS
5 Executive Summary

8 Guiding Principles

10 The Must Haves: Enablers for Reviving Our Economy

13 Transportation: Getting Employees to Work Safely

15 Schools and Childcare Centers: Supporting Kids & Parents

17 Liability Protection

19 Talent and Workforce

20 Small Businesses: Supporting the Backbone of Our Economy

21 Regulatory Relief

21 Mental Health and Wellness

22 Investing in Our Infrastructure

23 A Chicago Pledge: Recovery & Equity

24 Resources

26 Task Force Members

Disclaimer
This report was developed by the Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and its COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force. The recommendations offered are based on
the data and facts available to us at the time of this writing. The following pages are consultative in nature and intended for general information purposes only. This
document is not intended to be, nor should it be interpreted as, legal or entity-specific advice. Businesses should observe all orders and guidelines offered by federal,
state, and local government officials and public health authorities. In addition, many trade associations and professional groups have published detailed guidelines that
could also be useful to companies as they begin reopening. Finally, companies should consult their own legal counsel and advisors regarding the legality, applicability,
and potential efficacy of the information contained in this report for their businesses and worksites.

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EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY

Recently, the Chicagoland Chamber convened a COVID-19 Economic

Recovery Task Force to establish guiding principles, absolute “must haves,”
and specific actions that our organization and the business community can
take to safely reopen our businesses and get people back to work. We will
draw on our core organizational strengths to achieve this, including:
Advocating for resources, regulatory relief, and clear guidance from city, state, and federal
government
Providing thought leadership to help businesses reopen, including a new webinar forum series
“Getting to Phase Five,” which will launch this summer
Convening, collaborating, and building new partnerships
Providing resources to small businesses in diverse communities
Supporting our region’s talent and workforce needs through job training and apprenticeship
programs
Fighting for investments in our infrastructure to ensure our long-term economic prosperity

GUIDING PRINCIPLES
1 | Rebuild trust among employees: Business leaders should clearly communicate what steps they have
taken to protect the health and safety of their employees and be honest with workers about what they
currently know — and what they don’t. Achieving this requires communication, transparency, and a two-way
dialogue to empower employees to provide their feedback while incorporating best practices.

2 | Provide flexibility: As more businesses reopen, business leaders and managers should make good-
faith efforts to offer greater flexibility for workers during a very uncertain time.

3 | Safeguard public spaces and invest in critical infrastructure: Community assets like public
transportation, schools, and childcare centers are key enablers to fully reopening our economy and should
be safeguarded.

4 | Provide clear guidelines and consistent communication: Businesses need clear direction about
reopening procedures, protocols for handling positive tests, and information about where to go for help.

5 | Support small and disadvantaged businesses: Supporting minority- and women-owned businesses,
and disadvantaged business enterprises (M/W/DBEs), especially within the small business community, is
critical to the region’s economic recovery.

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EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY

MUST HAVES ACTION ITEMS

The conditions that must be met before Steps the Chicagoland Chamber and the
we can fully reopen our economy business community will take to get there

Clear Guidance for Testing, • Press city and state leaders to provide concise and digestible
information for business owners
Contact Tracing, Managing
• Advocate for more accessible testing sites
Hot Spots, and Accessing PPE
• Request city and state assistance in offsetting the cost of testing
• Push for specific timelines as more employees go back to work
• Create public-private partnerships to scale up and deploy
effective tools and apps to help trace the virus’s spread
• Forge partnerships with our hospital and health care networks
• Enlist support from large companies to help small businesses
and local chambers acquire low-cost PPE
• Encourage small businesses and nonprofit organizations to use
the Chicago PPE Market

Transportation • Work with other business groups and the region’s transit
agencies to survey the business community’s ridership demands
and support related planning efforts
• Promote a public awareness campaign with the transit agencies
and other relevant groups to educate transit riders and workers
on new safety and preventative measures to reduce community
transmission
• Promote alternative mobility options like ridesharing, biking, and
scooters, especially in the central business district
• Work with downtown parking garages to explore flexible parking
options, discounted rates, and bike parking

Schools & Childcare Centers • Facilitate business community support to help schools acquire
laptops, tablets, and other remote learning devices for all
students, particularly vulnerable or at-risk students who need to
self-isolate
• Advocate for reduced regulatory burdens and accelerate
licensing for companies to establish onsite childcare centers
• Maximize the region’s extensive infrastructure to drive greater
broadband adoption, working with providers like Comcast and AT&T
• Provide financial support to help schools and childcare centers
reconfigure their physical environments
• Make employees available (as volunteers) and provide training
for teachers to use online teaching methods

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EXECUTIVE
SUMMARY

Liability Protection • Work with our members, the business community, and
policymakers to address gaps in existing local and state statutes
• Encourage businesses to review the best practices for mitigating
their liability exposure
• Encourage the use of the city’s “Be Safe Chicago” online self-
certification

Talent & Workforce • Refocus the Chamber’s existing job training programs to provide
employers with training on new safety policies and protocols
• Support city- and state-led workforce efforts to increase our
contact tracing capacity

Small Business Support • Launch new programs to provide expanded services to

distressed businesses

Regulatory Relief • Push back against costly mandates like universal testing
• Advocate for balanced regulatory relief regarding the timing and
implementation of Fair Workweek rules and new minimum wage
requirements
• Advocate for fair property tax reform

Mental Health & Wellness • Promote wellness and mental health programs to our members
and the business community
• Disseminate free resources to employers about mental health
and stress management

Investing in Our Infrastructure • Advocate for the full $8.5 billion investment in modernization at
O’Hare Airport
• Encourage the federal government to provide additional
CREATE funds to maintain and enhance our place as the nation’s
premier distribution and logistics hub
• Push the city of Chicago to accelerate zoning and planning
approval for major projects like the 78, the Obama Presidential
Center, ONE Central, Lincoln Yards, and the Michael Reese
Hospital site development, as well as for companies seeking to
build data centers in Chicago
• Encourage the use of P3 agreements to leverage private capital
while reducing risk to the public sector

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GUIDING
PRINCIPLES

The Chamber’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task force is a cross-section of

Chicagoland’s business community whose members represent a diversity of
views and business sizes. This group met three times in May and will continue
to discuss the needs of the business community as circumstances evolve.
We know that this is uncharted territory for all our businesses, and we are
still learning together, but we quickly agreed on some guiding principles to
consider as more businesses and stores begin to reopen.

Rebuild trust among employees: Non-essential employees who have been working remotely, as well as
those who may soon be called back, need to feel confident that they can safely return. For that reason,
transparency and setting the right tone at the outset is vital. Business leaders need to clearly communicate
what steps they have taken to protect the health and safety of their employees — and be honest about
what they currently know and what they don’t. Many businesses across retail, office, and industrial sectors
have taken effective steps to safeguard their workplaces, such as implementing new operating protocols
to reinforce social distancing and making PPE and other supplies available to workers. Some of those best
practices and other related resources are offered at the end of this report.

Provide flexibility: As more businesses reopen, business

leaders and managers should make good-faith efforts Transparency and setting the
to provide greater flexibility for workers during this very right tone at the outset is vital.
uncertain time. Employees who have had the good
fortune to work remotely may be reluctant to return
Business leaders need to clearly
(especially vulnerable or at-risk workers) even when communicate what steps they have
permitted to do so, and reasonable accommodations taken to protect the health and
should be made for them wherever feasible. For many
other businesses, remote work is simply not an option. safety of their employees — and be
In those cases, wide-ranging steps should be taken to honest about what they currently
protect onsite employees.
know and what they don’t.
Safeguard public spaces and invest in critical
infrastructure: Beyond the workplace, other conditions
must be met to keep employees healthy as they begin returning. This includes ensuring that critical
infrastructure like public transportation, schools, and childcare centers have been outfitted with the
necessary safeguards and operating procedures to limit community transmission. This also requires careful
demand planning and coordination on the part of the business community to ensure that our region’s
transit, school, and childcare systems can prepare.

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GUIDING
PRINCIPLES

Provide clear guidelines and consistent communication: With an onslaught of guidance coming from
local, state, and federal governments, helping businesses understand and implement that guidance is
essential. The Chicagoland Chamber continues to disseminate critical information for businesses of all
sizes and sectors. However, there remains widespread confusion among business owners, especially
small businesses, about their responsibilities when an employee tests positive and where they can go for
help. According to a recent survey of Chamber members, 48% reported the need for reliable information
concerning the ongoing pandemic and 66% want clear guidance from public health officials prior to
returning to work. Communicating that guidance (which is constantly changing) in a simple and digestible
fashion is a crucial step as we seek to safely reopen.

Support small and disadvantaged businesses: COVID-19 and the recent unrest in the Chicagoland area
have been especially devastating for small businesses, which are the backbone of our supply chain. That’s
just one reason we need to do all we can to make them more resilient. Over the last several months, the
Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Chicagoland Chamber has fielded thousands of calls
and emails from distressed small business owners seeking assistance. A disproportionate share of these
inquiries has come from minority-owned businesses, which is consistent with the alarmingly lopsided
impact of COVID-19 on communities of color. Supporting M/W/DBEs, especially within the small business
community, is critical to the region’s economic recovery.

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THE MUST HAVES:
Enablers for Reviving Our Economy

Beyond the practical and logistical guidance that businesses need, other
unresolved issues are impacting all businesses — regardless of their size
or industry sector. The following areas were deemed by the Task Force as
essential to reviving our economy.

CLEAR GUIDANCE FOR TESTING, CONTACT TRACING, MANAGING HOT SPOTS, AND ACCESSING PPE
The lack of a coordinated national strategy for efficiently testing and tracing the spread of coronavirus is
largely responsible for the shelter-in-place orders that were implemented across the country earlier this spring,
including here in Illinois. Other countries that prioritized testing and tracing early were able to flatten their
respective curves much quicker than the U.S. and emerge from their quarantines sooner.

Thanks to decisive leadership by local and state health authorities, we have seen the level of testing
dramatically increase — but this is only a start. Months into this pandemic, there is still widespread confusion
among small (and large) businesses about what to do when an employee tests positive for COVID-19. One
Chicagoland Chamber member — a bakery and café owner with multiple locations in the city — had one
employee (who was not customer-facing) who tested positive. Due to the lack of clear guidance and protocols
about what to do, even after reaching out to public health officials, this business owner took the extraordinary
step of closing that location for two full weeks out of an abundance of caution while staff went into quarantine.
This resulted in a dramatic loss of revenue and wages for the owner and employees.

Even today, the situation for small businesses remains confounding. The Chicagoland Chamber continues to
field calls daily from small business owners about what they should do, or where their employees should go
for testing. These small business owners do not have time to sift through government websites, some of which
offer conflicting guidance. They need simple, concise, and digestible information. For our part, the Chicagoland
Chamber has hosted dozens of webinars and virtual information sessions to help business owners understand
their options. We will continue to do this.

While larger companies generally have more resources for testing

Thanks to decisive and tracing, they are also facing challenges — particularly those with
leadership by health hundreds or thousands of employees. For them, the price of testing
authorities, we have and retesting can quickly become cost-prohibitive, with little relief in
seen the level of testing sight. The business community and state and local governments should
work collaboratively to find creative solutions to help offset the cost of
dramatically increase —
testing for all employers, which will help reduce community transmission
but this is only a start. while enabling people to get back to work. Despite these challenges,
many employers have begun to implement strong testing protocols or have issued useful guidance for other
employers to consider, including CBRE, Clayco, Colliers International, Siemens, Target, and Transwestern. (See
the Resources section at the end of this report for more details.)

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THE MUST HAVES:
Enablers for Reviving Our Economy

Effectively tracking and tracing the disease is also critical to containing the coronavirus. South Korea, often
regarded as a success story for managing their local pandemic, uses real-time contact tracing technologies
and text messaging to determine who is at risk, who needs to be tested, and who should self-quarantine.

We’ve also seen the use of new technologies to help track the spread of COVID-19. Closer to home, U.S.
companies are deploying their resources to help. One of the most visible examples is the recent collaboration
between Google and Apple, which uses Bluetooth-enabled contact tracing technology to inform users
whether they have been in close contact with someone who tests positive. Salesforce has also deployed
a solution that is gaining traction in several states, including Massachusetts. While these tech giants work
through privacy considerations with local and national governments, this effort offers an innovative approach
that should be further explored.

Beyond technology, the human approach to tracing remains an important element. The city of Chicago
launched a $56 million grant for community-based organizations to implement a “Contact Tracing Corps,”
which provides funding to hire and train 600 individuals to conduct case investigation of community-based
COVID transmission. This type of activity will help prevent the spread of the virus and has been widely used
in other public health emergencies.

The business community and state and local governments should

work collaboratively to find creative solutions to help offset the
cost of testing for all employers, which will help reduce community
transmission while enabling people to get back to work.

To carry out this program, the city of Chicago is working closely with community health partners Howard
Brown Health, Rush University Medical Center, University of Chicago Medicine, and the Sinai Urban Health
Institute. Their work is focused on efforts including: preventing and mitigating transmission of COVID-19,
providing an “earn-and-learn” model for a community-based workforce to promote pathways for careers, and
investing in the city’s Contact Tracing Corps to hire and train individuals to conduct case investigations of
community-based transmission.

Governor Pritzker’s recent Executive Order requires Illinoisans to wear a “face-covering or mask when in a
public place where they cannot maintain a six-foot social distance.” This applies to anyone over the age of
two years old “who is able to medically tolerate a face-covering or a mask.” But obtaining PPE, particularly for
non-essential workers, has been a persistent challenge for businesses.

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THE MUST HAVES:
Enablers for Reviving Our Economy

Thankfully, Chicago companies are doing their part to help. For example, companies like Beam Suntory and
Koval Distillery, best known for their whiskey, liqueurs, and spirits, have begun producing alcohol-based
sanitizer for first responders, essential businesses, and the general public. Several other local companies have
also pivoted their product and service lines to help fill critical gaps in the supply chain.

Chicago-based Rheaply recently partnered with the city of Chicago to launch an online PPE marketplace to
provide small businesses, community-based organizations, and not-for-profits with access to critical PPE such as
face coverings, protective shields, and hand sanitizers from verified sources. This is a step in the right direction
and the Chicagoland Chamber is committed to driving greater adoption and use within the marketplace.

ACTION ITEM S
Press city and state leaders to provide concise Forge partnerships with our hospital and health
and digestible information so business owners care networks to help the business community
know where to send employees for testing and access useful toolkits for reopening and provide
what to do in the case of a positive result. guidance for managing infection “hot spots.”

Advocate for more testing sites that are Enlist support from large companies to help
convenient and accessible to all businesses, small businesses and local chambers acquire
particularly small businesses. low-cost PPE.

Request that the city and state assist in offsetting Encourage small businesses and nonprofit
the cost of testing. organizations to use the Chicago PPE Market.

Push for specific timelines as more employees

go back to work.

Create public-private partnerships with state and

local governments, as well as tech companies
like Google, Apple, and Salesforce, to scale up
and deploy effective tools and apps to help trace
the virus’s spread while being aware of data
privacy concerns.

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THE MUST HAVES:
Enablers for Reviving Our Economy

TR ANS PORTATIO N:
Getting Employees to Work Safely
Since the onset of this crisis, Chicago’s transit agencies have experienced a precipitous decline in ridership.
According to the Regional Transportation Authority (RTA), the system has experienced a 78% overall decline
in ridership compared to 2019, with the biggest dips hitting Metra and CTA, which saw a drop in ridership of
96% and 88%, respectively. For their part, Metra, CTA, and Pace have taken extraordinary steps to protect
riders and transit employees, including: implementing routine deep-cleaning procedures on vehicles and
at stations, adopting rear-door boarding on buses, and waiving fare collections to limit operator-passenger
interaction.

But as businesses begin to reopen, where do things stand for commuters? To date, the CTA has encouraged
riders to limit their use of bus and rail to essential trips only, such as medical appointments or commuting to
work. Because the very concept of “rush hour” will make social distancing practically impossible, managing
the new “peak ridership” times will require an open and continuous dialogue between the business
community and the transit agencies.

Chicagoland employers understand that staggering employee start times, as well as bringing employees
back in groups (e.g., Group A works onsite one week, Group B works onsite the next week, and so on) may
be required to ensure maximum social distancing in the workplace. Both tactics would simultaneously reduce
the burden on our transit infrastructure and lower the likelihood of a commuter rush. In San Francisco, the
Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) is encouraging employers to stagger their start times, thus avoiding the typical
morning and evening commuter rush. This is something that employers in the Chicagoland region should
seriously consider.

The very concept of “rush hour” will make social distancing

practically impossible. Managing the new “peak ridership”
times will require an open and continuous dialogue between
the business community and the transit agencies.

Relatedly, flexible work arrangements, such as limiting the number of days an employee is required to be
onsite and allowing employees — especially more vulnerable individuals like older workers or expectant
mothers — to telework will also reduce the strain on our transit system. Before calling people back to work,
employers should assess their total workforce to see how different segments of their employees may be
at risk. Demonstrating flexibility and a desire to provide reasonable accommodations is crucial not only
to protecting employees, but to reducing the burden on our transit system and thus reducing the risk for
widespread community transmission.
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THE MUST HAVES:
Enablers for Reviving Our Economy

Many businesses, however, are not conducive to remote work. For example, restaurants and bakeries may
require a full complement of servers, bartenders, chefs, and hosts to operate — whether they have one
customer or 50. Companies that can function with remote staff should consider allowing more employees
to work from home during Phase 3. This will give our transportation agencies additional time to assess the
overall impact on the transit system and make the necessary adjustments as more businesses reopen.

Our Task Force also pointed out that we may see an increase in mode shift — that is, we may see regular
transit riders opting to drive or utilize rideshare options like Uber and Lyft if their jobs require them to
be onsite. As a result, both Uber and Lyft have taken steps to support their drivers and customers; for
example, Lyft is pausing the use of shared rides and providing PPE and cleaning supplies to drivers at no
cost. Uber has taken similar steps to ensure driver and rider safety. Moreover, these companies have been
providing free transportation for frontline health care workers to get to/from work, as well as providing free
meals via Uber Eats to first responders and health care workers.

We also anticipate that, as employees return to work, many will choose to drive in order to avoid using
public transit. This may be a particularly attractive option for older or more vulnerable employees with
underlying health risks. In the downtown business district, local parking garages like Millennium Garages
(managed by Chicago-based SP+) have offered reduced parking, 24-hour access, and enhanced
sterilization and cleaning protocols for payment kiosks, elevator banks, and other surfaces to reduce the
spread of COVID-19. Some commuters may shift to driving over the next few weeks, and steps like these
will ease the burden on them and the public transit system as a whole.

We understand that more drivers will directly impact congestion, particularly in the city’s central business
district, and we will closely monitor this situation. But if we create staggered return schedules, allow
continued remote work, and provide close coordination with local transportation authorities, we can ensure
that the overall system can help people get safely back to work.

ACTION ITEMS
Work with other business groups and the Promote alternative mobility options like
region’s transit agencies to survey the business ridesharing, biking, and scooters, especially
community’s ridership demand and support in the central business district.
related planning efforts.

Promote a public awareness campaign with the Work with downtown parking garages to explore
transit agencies and other business and transit flexible parking options, discounted rates, and
groups to educate riders and workers on new bike parking.
safety and preventative measures that will help
reduce community transmission.

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THE MUST HAVES:
Enablers for Reviving Our Economy

S CH OOLS & C HIL DCARE C ENT ERS:

Supporting Kids & Parents
Schools are a critical part of the health equation within Chicagoland. It will be very difficult for parents
to return to work while students (especially very young students) are still at home. Similarly, thousands
of families depend on schools to provide critical meals — they are a vital source of daily nutrition and
sustenance for many students. That is why we must have a collective plan for safely reopening schools
(pre-K through 12th grade) on time as well as ensuring access to affordable childcare options.

We recognize the daunting task ahead for school districts, teachers, and parents. But keeping schools
closed indefinitely — or until a vaccine is widely available — would be impractical for students and parents
alike. The question then becomes: How do we protect the health and safety of students and educators,
including teachers in more vulnerable health groups, amid a public health environment that still demands
social distancing and other protective measures?

Mayor Lightfoot’s plan for reopening the economy rightfully refers to childcare as “an enabler to return
to work.” This is the best way to meet the learning and developmental needs of students while allowing
parents to get back to their jobs. To help schools reopen, the CDC established several actions that will
help reduce community transmission at schools. Given that each school and each student population
is different, establishing some set of minimum requirements based on CDC guidance could help school
officials and parents better understand what conditions need to be met on the ground in order to reopen.

Elsewhere, other countries are beginning to resume

classes, and we can learn useful lessons from them
as we look ahead to the fall. Some examples include:
In China, students In Australia, Hong Kong, In Taiwan, students In Germany, school
must undergo and Japan, schools are required to hallways are now one-
temperature checks have brought back their wear face masks. way systems, similar
before entering the students in staggered to what many grocery
building. stages (e.g., only coming stores have been
into class on certain days implementing in their
of the week and using aisles in recent weeks.
distance learning the
other days).

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THE MUST HAVES:
Enablers for Reviving Our Economy

The corporate community has an important role to play in helping school administrators and teachers
reopen their classrooms on time, and the business community can have a substantial impact in making
schools safer. We should continue to work closely with school officials to better understand their unique
needs and help develop creative solutions.

Supporting the needs of young people goes beyond the classroom, though. As part of Illinois’ guidelines
for entering Phase 3 of the Restore Illinois framework, the Department of Commerce & Economic
Opportunity (DCEO) recently issued guidance for day camps seeking to reopen. This is an important step
to reopening our economy, given that thousands of families depend on these summer programs to keep
their kids busy and learning when they are not in class.

Childcare centers are equally critical. As of this writing, there has not been significant transmission of
COVID-19 in childcare settings, according to Governor Pritzker. And with childcare centers now being
allowed to reopen as part of Phase 3 (albeit with capacity limits), this will no doubt alleviate the burden on
parents who need that access.

In coming weeks, we will learn a great deal about the trajectory

of current infection rates and the efficacy of safeguards that
Supporting the needs
schools in other countries have adopted. Reopening classes of young people goes
and other childcare options are vital to reviving our economy
and getting people back to work, and the business community
beyond the classroom.
remains committed to supporting these efforts.

ACTION ITEMS
Facilitate business community support to help Provide financial support to help schools and
schools acquire laptops, tablets, and other childcare centers reconfigure their physical
remote-learning devices for all students, environments.
particularly vulnerable or at-risk students who
need to self-isolate.

Advocate for reduced regulatory burden and Make employees available (as volunteers) and
accelerate licensing for companies to establish provide training for teachers for online teaching
onsite childcare centers. methods.

Maximize the region’s extensive infrastructure to

drive greater broadband adoption, working with
providers like Comcast and AT&T.

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THE MUST HAVES:
Enablers for Reviving Our Economy

L IABI LI TY PROT EC T IO N:
Many businesses are concerned about their exposure to legal liability as they navigate the maze of local,
state, and federal guidelines to implement operations for reopening. They need clear and consistent
guidance, and businesses acting in good faith should not be subjected to frivolous liability suits.

Businesses will quickly face a barrage of questions. Is my business liable if a customer alleges they
contracted COVID-19 at my place of business? What if an employee with one of my suppliers tests positive
and files suit?

State and local statutes should be amended to provide businesses the protections they need to operate
without the constant fear of opportunistic lawsuits. Already, we have seen the issue of liability protection
become a key point of negotiations at the federal level, and several cities and states have addressed the
issue legislatively or through executive order. Here at home, Governor Pritzker has sought to ensure some
level of protection by providing legal immunity for health care workers through executive order. The Illinois
General Assembly also recently passed legislation to provide for a rebuttable presumption that an essential
business worker contracted COVID-19 at the workplace that can be rebutted by a defendant business so long
as the business can demonstrate their workplace followed proper public health and CDC guidelines.

Here at home, Governor Pritzker

has sought to ensure some level
of protection by providing legal
immunity for health care workers
through executive order.
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THE MUST HAVES:
Enablers for Reviving Our Economy

To be clear, protections should not be extended in cases of malfeasance, negligence, or wrongful acts.
We also readily acknowledge that proving the cause of COVID-19, in most cases, will be exceedingly
difficult. While legislative changes may be necessary to address gaps in current statutes, the simplest
assurances that state and local governments and public health officials can provide to businesses are
clear, consistent, and practical guidelines. Until then, the following list outlines basic principles that
businesses should consider as they seek to mitigate liability exposure.

A L I A B I L I T Y CH ECKLIST FOR B USINE SSE S

1 Senior leadership should model flexibility and 6 Ensure that medical information is kept
foster a community of wellness and awareness. confidential and maintained separately from
Consider the development of written principles to regular personnel files, and adhere to other
help guide decision-making. privacy-related requirements.
2 Communicate and train employees on the 7 Follow evolving CDC, OSHA, and local and state
employer’s expectations and protocols. guidelines; institute and monitor appropriate
cleaning and disinfecting protocols; and
3 Designate a point-person (other than immediate constantly survey your workplace for social
supervisors) to receive complaints and distancing compliance.
suggestions to ensure consistent messaging and
response. 8 Adhere to ADA, OSHA and WC record-keeping
requirements.
4 Train HR personnel on harassment, retaliation,
and leave policies, and develop protocols for 9 If possible, restrict visitors for the time being.
handling reports of positive tests and exposure. If visitors are necessary, communicate your
expectations and protocols and continue to apply
5 Treat accommodation requests or unsafe CDC, OSHA, and local and state guidelines.
workplace complaints fairly and consistently, plan
ahead to handle accommodation requests where 10 Regarding product liability protections, review
possible, and always document your process and your insurance policies, talk to your insurance
resolution. broker, and review your supply chain and supply
chain contracts.

The city of Chicago has launched “Be Safe Chicago,” an online self-certification process
to help businesses and employers ensure they are operationally compliant with the city’s
standards for reopening.

ACTION ITEMS
Work with our members, the business Encourage the use of the city’s “Be Safe
community, and policymakers to address gaps in Chicago” online self-certification.
existing state and local statutes.
Encourage businesses to review the checklist
outlined above.

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THE MUST HAVES:
Enablers for Reviving Our Economy

TA LE NT & WORKFORC E:
Since 2018, talent and workforce training has been a core part of the Chicagoland Chamber’s programming
agenda. In 2019 and with funding from DCEO, we launched an Employer Training Program that has provided
2,200 incumbent workers across more than 80 companies with critical skills training. We also launched an
apprenticeship program with City Colleges of Chicago and One Million Degrees — modeled after the Chicago
Apprentice Network championed by Aon and other major corporations in the region — to help diversify talent
and recruiting pipelines for employers.

Workforce training investments are more important than ever. The governor’s longstanding commitment
to building the future workforce is even more resonant today. Our regional economic recovery from the
COVID-19 crisis and recent social unrest will largely depend on our ability to quickly respond to the changing
needs of employers through workforce training and adjustments required in this new environment. The
Chamber has pivoted quickly to provide virtual trainings on new safety policies and protocols so employers
can better ensure physical distancing while reducing community transmission at the workplace. We are also
pursuing new training opportunities to prepare people for entry into critical health care programs.

Moreover, we applaud the city of Chicago for launching a $56 million grant for community-based
organizations to implement a “Contact Tracing Corps,” which will provide funding to hire and train 600
individuals to conduct case investigation of community-based COVID transmission. This type of activity will
help prevent the spread of contagious disease and has been widely used in other public health emergencies.

ACTION ITEMS
Refocus the Chamber’s existing job training Support city- and state-led workforce
programs to provide employers with new, development efforts to increase our contact
in-depth training on new safety policies and tracing capacity.
protocols.

Our regional economic

recovery will largely depend
on our ability to quickly
respond to the changing
needs of employers through
workforce training.

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THE MUST HAVES:
Enablers for Reviving Our Economy

S MALL BU S I NESSES:
Supporting the Backbone of Our Economy
The pandemic’s disproportionate health and economic impacts on communities of color have been widely
reported in the media, but what has received significantly less airtime is the impact on minority business
owners. There have also been economic effects from the recent social unrest across the city. We cannot
talk about economic recovery without discussing the unique challenges facing minority business owners,
whether it’s access to capital, exposure to other networks/entrepreneurs, or marketing support.

Every day, the Small Business Development Center (SBDC) at the Chicagoland Chamber receives a
huge volume of calls, emails, and requests for assistance from distressed small business owners and
entrepreneurs. Many of these businesses are concentrated on the city’s South and West sides. Even prior
to the pandemic, cash flow was a major area of concern for these small businesses. According to our
2020 Small Business Outlook Survey, 75% of small business respondents expressed a lack of confidence
in managing their cash flow. Additionally, 63% of respondents cited access to capital as a major concern,
which was up 2% from the previous year. The pandemic and recent social unrest have only exacerbated
these concerns.

For our part, the Chicagoland Chamber has hosted dozens of webinars with our lending partners and
representatives from the U.S. Small Business Administration, DCEO, the Cook County Bureau of Economic
Development, and the Chicago Department of Business Affairs & Consumer Protection (BACP). The
goal of these meetings is to inform thousands of small business owners and entrepreneurs about the
resources available to them. Furthermore, the Chicagoland Chamber’s Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion Task
Force has been working to increase business and contracting opportunities for certified businesses across
the region, including M/W/DBEs. Our members have made it clear that business and supplier diversity is
essential to propping up our supply chain, which has undergone unprecedented disruption as a result of
the pandemic and social tumult.

Finally, as mentioned earlier, small businesses also need clearer guidance about what to do when an
employee tests positive. This is essential to their ability to rebound. This work cannot slow down. The
health and durability of these businesses is directly tied to our overall economic prospects in the months
and years ahead.

ACTION ITEMS
Launch new small business support programs to
increase SBDC advising, training, professional
business coaching, and education with a specific
emphasis on minority, women, veteran, and
disability-owned businesses (among other
certified business types).

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THE MUST HAVES:
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R E G U LATORY REL IEF:

If there was ever a time to reduce the regulatory burden on the business community, that time is now. In recent
years, businesses big and small have had to bear an increasing share of the tax burden, locally and at the state
level. Before levying new taxes, we should first ensure that we are getting the most out of the revenue streams
that already exist by providing businesses with greater flexibility to operate, especially in the restaurant and
hospitality industry, which have been especially hard-hit from the pandemic. Furthermore, we are constantly
advocating to mitigate overly burdensome regulations and unfunded mandates. These anti-regulation efforts are
needed more than ever to ensure that our businesses have the runway to recover. As a result, we will continue to
push for commonsense policies and legislation to create a more business-friendly environment.

ACTION ITEMS
Push back against costly mandates like universal Advocate for fair property tax reform.
testing.
Advocate for balanced regulatory relief regarding
the timing and implementation of Fair Workweek
rules and new minimum wage requirements.

ME N TAL H E ALT H & WELLNESS PRO GR A M S:

The impact of COVID-19 on the workforce extends beyond economic indicators like high unemployment and
shuttered businesses. Employee mental health and well-being are also at risk, as many employees face the
prospect of: extended remote work; isolation from co-workers, friends, and family; as well as the threat of job
loss and stable income. According to the CDC, nearly one in five U.S. adults aged 18 or older (18.3% or 44.7
million people) reported mental illness in 2016, while at least one symptom of stress was reported by 71% of
adults. Employees have also delayed other wellness issues that will impact their health in the long run.

As employees manage the effect that COVID-19 is having on their personal lives, they are more likely to
experience stress, anxiety, and depression. These ailments, as well as other underlying mental health concerns,
may directly impact employee job performance, engagement, and communication. Employers can take steps to
mitigate these impacts by promoting the importance of mental well-being and wellness programs to employees.

As we move into the next phase of reopening our economy, it is critical that we acknowledge the toll that
COVID-19 has had on our employees and their families. By offering resources and support, employers can play a
key role in positively impacting mental health by ensuring that their employees receive the care and guidance they
need to make mental well-being a priority. A list of mental health resources is available at the end of this report.

ACTION ITEMS
Promote wellness and mental health programs to Disseminate free resources to employers about
our members and the business community. mental health and stress management.

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THE MUST HAVES:
Enablers for Reviving Our Economy

IN VE STI NG I N OUR INFRAST RUC T UR E:

As we work to meet the challenges of reopening the economy, we must prioritize the long-term infrastructure
investments that will supercharge our recovery while capitalizing on our region’s competitive advantages.
Continued investments in the O’Hare Modernization Program and the untangling of our freight and
distribution channels will allow us to maintain and enhance our world-renowned transportation assets.

Additionally, several major developments in the region were already underway prior to the pandemic. Given
the massive job losses nationally and globally, it might be tempting to de-prioritize these types of projects.
That, however, would be a huge misstep. Major projects like the Obama Presidential Center, Lincoln Yards,
the 78, ONE Central, and the Michael Reese Hospital site development will create desperately needed
construction jobs in the short term, while providing the infrastructure needed to attract companies in the
future when our economy rebounds. We must not lose sight of the long-term economic needs of our region,
which suggest that people want to live in dynamic urban environments near where they work.

According to a report the Chamber released last year with AECOM, the region stands to unlock billions in
economic activity by making these types of capital investments. That is why our organization led a coalition
of business and labor groups to pass landmark state legislation in 2019 that creates tax incentives aimed
at bringing data centers to Illinois. As we look ahead, we must continue to support capital infrastructure
projects that can help revitalize our economy and position us for future success.

ACTION ITEMS
Push for the full $8.5 billion investment in Push the city of Chicago to accelerate zoning
modernization at O’Hare Airport. and planning approval for major projects like the
78, the Obama Presidential Center, ONE Central,
Encourage the federal government to provide Lincoln Yards, and the Michael Reese Hospital
additional CREATE funds to maintain and site development, as well as for companies
enhance our place as the nation’s premier seeking to build data centers in Chicago.
distribution and logistics hub.
Encourage the use of P3 agreements to
leverage private capital while reducing risk to
the public sector.

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A Chicago Pledge
Recovery & Equity

This report is merely a starting point on the long road to recovery. We know
that this must be a living document, and we will continue working with our
COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force to help businesses respond as
conditions on the ground change and infections rates ebb and flow.
But we cannot, and should not, simply hope for a return to the way things were. This health crisis and
the renewed calls for racial equality and reform have exposed deep inequities within our society and our
economy that have existed for too long. They are expressed in the pandemic’s disproportionate health
impact on Black and Brown communities and the especially brutal economic consequences on small
business owners in these communities — the very same communities that so many of us call home.

We must commit to change, which is necessary to help us move forward. Chicago has a rich history of
reinventing itself for future generations. That is why the Chicagoland Chamber encourages all businesses in
the region to take the Chicago Pledge — a renewed commitment to fostering a more diverse and inclusive
business community that works for all residents, workers, and entrepreneurs.

It starts by supporting small businesses, the backbone of our economy, and in particular minority- and
women-owned businesses, and disadvantaged business enterprises. Ensuring that they have the tools,
resources, and business relationships to contribute to our regional supply chain is key. The Chicago Pledge
also demands that we buy locally, hire diverse talent from our communities, and continue to invest in those
communities. And it means we have to listen, and then act. This is not only the right thing to do, but it is the
economically prudent thing to do.

As an organization, we know that we cannot fix every societal ill. But as a united business community,
we can reshape our economy for the modern age. In the Chamber’s 116-year history, our business
community has endured the modern era’s greatest challenges, including: the 1918 flu pandemic, global
conflicts, economic shocks and recessions, and civil unrest. We can meet and overcome today’s challenges
as well.

It is time for us to rebuild Chicago for the 21st century. The Chicagoland Chamber of Commerce and the
business community remain committed to doing our part in the weeks, months, and years ahead.

As a united business community,

we can reshape our economy for
the modern age.
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RESOURCES
Visit chicagolandchamber.org for the most updated list of business resources.

Existing Health & Safety & Other Resources for Reopening

As more businesses are permitted to reopen their doors, local, state, and federal authorities have issued various
guidance to help businesses prepare. Several national organizations and industry groups have also issued
suggested guidance, which you can find at the websites listed below.

Federal Resources
• Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC)
• Occupational Safety & Health Administration (OSHA)
• U.S. Department of Labor (DOL)
• U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA)

State Resources
• State of Illinois COVID-19 Response
• State of Illinois Restore Illinois plan
• Illinois Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity (DCEO) Phase 3 (Recovery Phase) Guidelines
• DCEO Phase 3 Business Toolkit
• DCEO COVID-19 Resources for Businesses
• DCEO COVID-19 Information for Small Businesses
• Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) Coronavirus Business and Organization Guidance

City of Chicago Resources

• City of Chicago Coronavirus Response Center
• City of Chicago Protecting Chicago Framework
• City of Chicago Phase 3 (Cautiously Reopen Phase) Guidelines
• Be Safe. Chicago: Business Self-Certification
• City of Chicago PPE Market

Other Resources
• World Health Organization
• U.S. Chamber of Commerce

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RESOURCES
Visit chicagolandchamber.org for the most updated list of business resources.

Workplace Resources
There are now several resources available from local and state governments, as well as best practices from
Chicagoland Chamber members, to help guide businesses as they rethink their physical workplaces in
the age of COVID-19. Forbes recently published a ranking of the nation’s top employers’ responses to the
pandemic, and several chamber members made the list, including Verizon, Target, AT&T, Walmart, T-Mobile,
JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Walgreens, Ford Motor Company, and many others. Additional best
practices are provided below.
• “Reopening the World’s Workplaces” (CBRE)
• Clayco’s COVID-19 Resources & Guidelines
• “The Great Return: Making the Workplace Ready” (Colliers)
• “A Matter of Trust” (Siemens)
• “SAFE Retail: Considerations for Retail Operations Post COVID-19” (Target)
• “Back to the Workplace Playbook” (Transwestern)

Mental Health & Wellness Resources

• One Mind at Work: Workplace Mental Health Assessment — Resources
• American Psychiatric Association: Center for Workplace Mental Health — Employer Resources
• Mental Health America: Mental Health and COVID-19 – Information and Resources
• Mental Health America Toolkit: Tools 2 Thrive Outreach Kit
• CDC: Mental Health in the Workplace
• City of Chicago: Mental Health and Coping During COVID-19
• State of Illinois: Coronavirus (COVID-19) Response — Mental Health
• SHRM: Managing Employee Assistance Programs
• Gateway Foundation: Resources

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TASK FORCE MEMBERS
Robin L. Brown Teresa Garate Dominick Mondi
VP, Government Affairs VP, Strategic Partnerships & President & CEO
& External Relations Engagement Mesirow Financial
Ingredion Incorporated Gateway Foundation Member
Co-Chair Member
Donovan Pepper
Joseph Dominguez Jamie Georgas National Director,
CEO, ComEd Executive Managing Director Local Government Relations
Co-Chair CBRE Walgreens
Member Member
Bruce Lubin
Vice Chair, CIBC US Cornelius Griggs Anthony Reinhart
Co-Chair President and CEO Regional Director, Government
GMA Construction Group and Community Affairs
Kevin M. Cassidy Member Ford Motor Company
Chief Growth Officer, Health Care Member
Service Corporation Teresa Wilton Harmon
Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Illinois Managing Partner Juan Salgado
Member Sidley Austin LLP Chancellor
Member City Colleges of Chicago
Robert Christie Member
Senior VP, External Affairs Daniel Lynch
Northwestern Memorial Health Care VP, State & Local Government Ted Souder
Member Affairs Head of Industry — Retail
United Airlines Google
Patrick Donelly Member Member
General Manager
Hyatt Regency Chicago Judy D. Martinez-Faye Matthew Summy
Member Head of External Affairs – Regional VP, External Affairs
Midwest Region & Texas Comcast
Raymond Drake Siemens Member
VP, State Government Affairs Member
UPS Scott Swanson
Member Ryan McGuire President
Executive Vice President & PNC Illinois
Sophie Evanoff Shareholder, Corporate Member
President and CEO Business Unit Leader, Clayco
Vanille Patisserie Member Amanda Vela
Member Senior Group VP
Eileen Mitchell Target
Stephen Ferrara President Member
Partner, Chief Operating Officer AT&T Illinois and AT&T
BDO USA, LLP Great Lakes States
Member Member

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