January 24, 2021 – Businesses in the Loop are still uncertain about when all of their employees will be back to work in person.

According to Chicago Loop Alliance, when asked when their entire staff would return to work in the Loop, 64 percent of responding businesses said they were not certain. 12 percent said all of their staff would return during the first three months of 2021.

CLA says 19 percent of Loop businesses surveyed in December were open with all staff working onsite, down from 29 percent in November. 40 percent were open with some staff onsite and some working remotely, up from 35 percent in November. Four percent of businesses in the Loop were open with all staff working remotely, down from 15 percent in November.

27 percent were closed temporarily, up from 13 percent in November.

Michael Edwards, President/CEO of Chicago Loop Alliance, says they expect the reopening of Chicago Public Schools and the COVID-19 vaccine rollout to impact decisions by Loop businesses about on-site work.