BACP Updates

August 10, 2020 Dear Chicagoan, In response to last night’s events, I wanted to provide the latest updates and support resources for businesses. Effective immediately, there will temporarily be restricted access to the downtown area from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am beginning this evening. The restricted access to the downtown area is NOT a curfew. Businesses are not required to close, taxi and ride-hail service can continue and residents and workers will have access to the downtown area during this time through specific access points. However, businesses throughout the city should take extra precautions and work with their local Chicago Police District to determine area concerns. Please see the end of this email for specifics of the downtown restricted access, which will be in effect until further notice from 8:00 pm to 6:00 am. To ensure that we protect our neighborhoods, the Chicago Police Department will be working with other City agencies to deploy resources throughout the city with a focus on keeping our community safe. Officers will be working 12-hour shifts and all days off have been canceled. All businesses and residents should call 9-1-1 to report criminal activity and help CPD deploy resources. Businesses throughout the city should be prepared for the potential for criminal activity and property damage: First, every business owner should sign up for the CHIBIZ Emergency Alert system by texting “CHIBIZ” to 6-7-2-8-3 or by visiting chicago.gov/chibizalerts. Through this program, business owners will receive targeted emergency alerts specifically for the business community. Secondly, consider closing your business early, covering windows to prevent damage and removing items of value. Consult with your local Chicago Police Department District for specific recommendations for your community. Third, familiarize yourself with your insurance policy to ensure that you have the proper coverage and to understand the steps that you would need to take in the event that your property is damaged. Fourth, businesses should call 9-1-1 in the case of emergency to assist Police in directing resources effectively and quickly to targeted areas. If you have hired security personnel, please make sure that they are cooperating with CPD and are not taking matters into their own hands that may jeopardize their own safety as well as that of others.

Businesses that had their property damaged last night should take the following steps: Notify your insurance company AND your broker/agent about the facts of your claim Collect documentation (e.g. photos, inventory documentation, security footage) Prevent further damage by boarding/covering windows and removing items of value Familiarize yourself with your insurance policy

In response to last night’s events, BACP will be conducting an enforcement mission targeting secondhand retailers and cell phone stores to ensure that they are not selling stolen items. As a reminder, all establishments that sell secondhand items must be licensed by BACP as a Secondhand Dealer. Furthermore, each transaction must be recorded, with additional descriptive information required for jewelry, cell phones and other valuable items. These rules help prevent the sale of stolen merchandise and BACP will be holding all secondhand retailers accountable to these regulations. Please stay tuned as this is an evolving situation. Visit chicago.gov for the latest City updates and transitchicago.com for service updates from the CTA. The Mayor’s Office is providing up-to-date information on their social media accounts: Twitter @chicagosmayor; Facebook @chicagomayorsoffice; and Instagram @chicagosmayor. The challenges that our businesses continue to face in 2020 are unlike any we have experienced before. My heart goes out to those businesses that were impacted by last night’s events and I will continue to work to support our entire business community. This criminal activity will not be tolerated, and we are committed to doing everything we can to protect Chicago’s businesses throughout the City. Thank you, as always, for your ongoing dedication to the health and safety of our community, and please do not hesitate to reach out to me or my team with any questions. Sincerely, Rosa Escareno BACP Commissioner