In Gurnee this week, Timothy O’Toole, Stevens’ and Kaiser’s Pizza and Pub joined The Shanty in neighboring Wadsworth to announce it on Facebook.
The coalition promises what he calls a responsible, socially distant indoor experience with a reduced capacity of 25%, which is contrary to state mandates for the mitigation of Tier 3.
In its online statement, the group said in part, “Our teams have sacrificed a lot since March with two full indoor exclusions.”
They further say all four restaurants “… have a lot of respect for the safety-first approach that our businesses have used from the beginning.”
Near Riverside Cafe owner Paola Smith said she also welcomes customers within 25% of capacity from Friday, encouraged by the decision of the other local businesses.
The coalition said it had reached out to health officials to share its plans.
In a statement, the Illinois Department of Public Health did not specifically address the companies’ decision, but said: “Lake County does not meet the criteria to return to previous levels.”
The Lake County Department of Health said it was aware that some restaurants were planning to reopen Friday.
“Our policy is and will remain that when we are made aware of restaurants that violate the mitigation restrictions, we will contact them. If they choose to serve indoors, they will receive a citation for violating the Lake Public Harassment Ordinance. “By creating or allowing conditions that could harm the health of Lake County residents,” the department said in a statement.
It’s just like other Illinois provinces prepare to move out of Tier 3 softeners.
For now, Chicago is not among the group, but the mayor of the city expresses her support for relaxing restrictions on city restaurants.
“I feel very strongly that we are very close to a point where we need to talk about opening pubs and restaurants,” said Mayor Lori Lightfoot.
Read the full statement from Lake County here:
“The Lake County Department of Health is aware that some restaurants in the state are planning to eat indoors on January 15, 2021. Under the Governor’s executive order, indoor dining is still prohibited in Lake County. Our policy is and will continue to be aware that when we become aware that restaurants are in breach of the mitigation restrictions, they will make contact and, if they choose to serve indoors, they will receive a citation for violating the Lake County Public Nuisance Ordinance by conditions create or permit what is potentially detrimental to the health of Lake County residents. Fines may be imposed for these offenses. Other enforcement measures may also be taken if there is evidence that the transmission of COVID-19 occurred, or is likely to occur at a restaurant will take place if immediate action is not taken. ‘
The Illinois Restaurant Association also issued a statement saying:
“We are grateful for the conversation with Governor Pritzker and his team. While every step toward reopening helps, today’s announcement does not fall short of the critical needs and expectations of the restaurant industry. As outlined, restaurants in all of us will regions remain closed to indoor eateries until they reach Tier 1 – contributing to rising debt, devastating job losses and closure.In addition, restaurants in Tier 1 regions that can offer limited indoor eateries can only do so with less than 25 percent capacity, or 25 total guests per room.No restaurant can match the volume, let alone hire their team members.As one of the strongest regulated industries in terms of health and safety – and with better measures taken during COVID-19 Introduced – Illinois restaurants know how to protect the well-being of their guests and team members, they are able to serve more guests safely than ever before t the state currently allows, and they need more to survive this crisis. For the sake of the nearly 100,000 employees in the restaurant industry who lost their jobs between February and November, we call on the state to revisit this strategy and place more confidence in the industry that has been the largest private employer for so long of Illinois. The IRA will continue to work for more pragmatic reopening regulations, in addition to greater support and relief for restaurants and hospitality businesses in Illinois. ‘
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