REPARATIONS RESOLUTION ON THE TABLE — Nationwide protests over racial injustice will provide a timely backdrop for Thursday’s scheduled meeting of the City Council Committee on Health and Human Relations, when aldermen are scheduled to explore the possibility of a city-led reparations campaign for descendants of slaves. The proposal (R2019-694) by Ald. Roderick Sawyer (6) would launch the Chicago Descendants of Enslaved African Reparations Commission, which would be charged with ensuring “equity, equality, and parity for citizens of African descent in Chicago who are mired in poverty.” The commission would consider “forms of redress” the city could take to close racial gaps in housing, education and health, and report its findings back to the council. Sawyer — who chairs the health and human relations committee — introduced the resolution in September, saying he wanted to “gauge the council’s temperature” on the idea. The committee is also set Thursday to consider a proposed ordinance (O2020-2254) from Ald. Maria Hadden (49) that would crank up public health standards in senior buildings during “public health emergencies.” The committee meeting is scheduled for 11 a.m. Thursday. (Alex Nitkin)

REOPENING AMID UNREST — Amid lingering reports of looting and unrest throughout the city, Chicago entered phase three of its multi-tiered reopening plan Wednesday. Diners now have the opportunity to head to their favorite restaurant or bar and eat outdoors at a table spaced six feet from the next and attended to by a service staff in masks. The city is allowing restaurants without outdoor seating to expand service into the street or to adjoining parking lots, which may cause challenges considering some pockets of the city have been besieged by protesters since Saturday’s unrest downtown. Mayor Lori Lightfoot said Wednesday was chosen specifically as the partial re-opening date to give restaurants a “soft opening” to allow them to work out the new regulations before the weekend rush. But no one is required to open their doors yet. “Today is not a mandatory reopening,” she said. “It’s up to the individual to make the call and when.” Restaurants in neighborhoods hit hardest by looting will receive additional support, said Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection Comm. Rosa Escareño. Her department has also made it known they’re a resource for restaurateurs still hesitant to open their doors. “They want to be able to make that decision themselves,” she said. “We are telling them we are here to support you if you have concerns for yourself and your establishment,” Escareño said. “We are ready to work with them.” (Mark Guarino)