As we enter Phase 3 of the Governor’s restoration plan, we want to ensure you have all the tools you need to make your office reopening and continuing open houses as smooth of a transition as possible. We have compiled the following resources to make sure you are in compliance every step of the way.
Reopening Resources
As we prepare for the reopening of offices, businesses should devise a multi-faceted and phased approach to the workforce’s re-entry to the workplace, which takes into account guidance, regulations, and orders issued by federal, state and local governments and agencies, including the World Health Organization (WHO), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC), the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), and The White House. Here are resources to help:
Open House and Showing Guidance
Per Illinois REALTORS® guidance: As our Illinois regions move into Phase 3 of the Governor’s restoration plan, many of the now-familiar safety measures remain in place. While some business practices will now be legally permissible, this doesn’t mean that all available options should be immediately employed.
Prior to May 29, 2020, tenant-occupied unit showings and open houses were prohibited per the Department of Commerce & Economic Opportunity’s (DCEO’s) guidance interpreting the last gubernatorial disaster order, and vacant or owner-occupied unit showings were limited to no more than four people.
As of May 29, 2020, showings of occupied rental properties and open houses may be legally permitted. Read the full guidance and get best practices
here.
Please note: Chicago has not issued a new executive order that is more strict than the State’s regulations with respect to open houses and showings of occupied rental properties. It is possible that the city may issue an order that would prohibit such activities.
The city has issued recommended guidance titled,
“Be Safe. Residential Buildings.” In its guidance, the city recommends that real estate professionals provide virtual and self-guided tours as an option and that tours be limited to amenities, model and vacant units only.
The Chicago Association of REALTORS® will continue to monitor ongoing developments and provide additional information it learns from the City of Chicago. We always advise consulting any office policy your broker may have and working with your legal counsel.
