Chicago has received 500 complaints about non-essential open businesses

Chicago businesses, who have to cope with onerous taxes and burdensome regulation, now have to fear being ratted out and being subject to massive fines.

From the Chicago Tribune:

Roughly 500 complaints about nonessential businesses operating in violation of the governor’s shelter-at-home directive had been filed with the city as of Tuesday, according to Chicago’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection.

Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot called on residents and workers to report such businesses last week.

"Some complaints are for restaurants, bars, yoga studios, hair salons and other inessential businesses, while some are for businesses such as banks and auto shops that are considered essential. We are focusing on sharing information while issuing citations for egregious and repeat offenders,” the city’s Department of Business Affairs and Consumer Protection spokesman Isaac Reichman said in an emailed statement.

Businesses that may not be considered “essential” could face fines up to $10,000 if they remain open.