On June 17, we laid out a vision and guidelines for reopening Chicagoland’s economy. An initiative of the Chamber’s COVID-19 Economic Recovery Task Force, this report examines the logistical and practical challenges of reopening head-on and offers specific action items to move the economy forward.


The Task Force also addressed longstanding social and economic disparities experienced by, and the pandemic’s disproportionate impact on, Black and Brown communities. With that in mind, we encourage all Chicagoland businesses and organizations to take the “Chicago Pledge,” affirming their commitment to:

Buy Locally:  Buy from Chicagoland companies, particularly minority, women, and disadvantaged business enterprises (M/W/DBE’s), and small businesses, which are the backbone of our regional supply chain.

Hire Locally:  Hire and recruit locally and forge new partnerships to diversify talent pipelines.

Invest Locally:  Invest in disadvantaged communities by partnering with community organizations to deliver volunteers and other resources.

Listen & Act:  Facilitate and promote conversations within our companies and communities about structural inequities related to economic opportunity, health care, education, and transportation.

All Chicagoland businesses and organizations are invited to take the Chicago Pledge.