Chicago Loosens Alcohol-Delivery Restrictions During COVID-19 Outbreak

Like many cities across the U.S., over the weekend Chicago announced a two-week prohibition on dine-in foodservice in an effort to slow the spread of COVID-19 that, at time of publishing, has resulted in one death in the city.

On Monday, the Illinois state liquor commission filed an executive order allowing bars and restaurants with liquor licenses to offer delivery and curb-side pick-up of orders containing alcohol.

Similar measures are no doubt being considered in other cities where previously dine-in-only restaurants are scrambling to put together take-out and delivery options while dining rooms are closed. Unfortunately, the nation’s alcohol-sales laws are notoriously convoluted, and there will likely be confusion among operators as restrictions are loosened.

To mitigate some of that confusion in Illinois, the state’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection (BACP) has issued an FAQ regarding alcohol sales during the statewide closure of bars and restaurants.

If the social-distancing measures that have shuttered bars and restaurants across the country continue for more than a few weeks, we are likely to see more state orders designed to make delivery easier and more profitable for foodservice operators.