Above / Looking forward, State Rep. Grant Wehrli urges legislative input for next steps as heightened COVID-19 mitigations are announced for DuPage and Will Counties and beyond. Note also news below regarding BIG (Business Interrupted) Grants. (PN File Photo of the Springfield State Capitol Dome.)
Today, Oct. 20, 2020, Governor JB Pritzker announced that heightened COVID-19 mitigations will take effect on Fri., Oct. 23 for Regions 7 (Will and Kankakee Counties) and 8 (DuPage and Kane Counties). That means indoor seating at restaurants and bars will be off limits until positivity rates improve.
Responses to Illinois Governor’s announcement…
State Representative Grant Wehrli (R-Naperville)
“No one is discounting the seriousness of this virus. We all need to be careful and take preventative steps to stop the spread. But with this second wave of COVID-19, this is the optimal time for the Governor to call a special session to determine how we can best move forward. Legislators represent the voices within our districts, and those voices deserve to be heard.
“I believe all businesses are essential. They are essential to those who rely on their paychecks, and they are essential to the local economy. Governor Pritzker should bring us to Springfield so that together we can create a new plan that finds the balance between public safety and economic stability that has been missing from the COVID response thus far.”
State Representative Amy Grant (R-Wheaton)
“This second wave of COVID-19 provides an opportunity for the Governor to work with the legislature rather than just going it alone. With input provided by lawmakers, we can determine a better and more equitable path forward. Rather than making these decisions based only on rolling positivity rates, we need to do a deeper dive and gain a true understanding of why numbers are increasing.
“We need to know exactly where the outbreaks are occurring and what segments of the populations would benefit from additional interventions or support. This level of information has been lacking in the response so far.”
Priority Given to Restaurants/Bars facing COVID-19 mitigations
State Rep., Grant Wehrli adds: The heightened mitigations that took effect Friday present a significant hardship for many small business owners. These businesses will receive priority consideration for the latest round of Business Interruption Grants (BIG). Restaurants, bars, and other businesses that rely on large groups of patrons can now apply for $220 million in BIG funds. These are grants, not loans, so this money does not have to be paid back.
Be safe and follow local protocols so businesses can stay open
Editor’s Note, 3:03PM Oct. 20 / Telephone calls from restaurant employees and emails from small business owners have been filled with queries, concerns and expletives regarding the news from the Illinois Governor this afternoon. We’ll trying to sort through it to keep readers posted regarding choices that impact all economies.
When/if other elected officials contact PN, they’ll be added to this post.
Enforcement, we’re told, will be by Illinois State Police. Enforcement will start with a friendly warning and progress from there.
Here’s an added update from the Oct. 20, 2020, City Council meeting: Under “Ordinances and Resolutions,” the agenda posted last week featured a resolution to adopt a “six-month waiver of certain liquor and tobacco license renewal fees and a one-year waiver of fees for outdoor seating permits for the 2020-2021 license year.” The resolution passed unanimously, a start as a way to relieve some of the challenges local businesses have faced and continue to face created by the orders established since mid-March.
Be safe during these uncertain times. Naperville businesses, bars and restaurants have been dedicated to keeping patrons safe. Follow locally ordered protocols and practice the three Ws. Wash hands. Wear masks. Watch the distance between you and the other guy.
As always, thanks for supporting your local hospitality community. Dine Naperville!
Updated, Oct. 24, 2020
Again, wash your hands often, but don’t wash away your common sense.
And consider words from America’s greatest printer…
“Those who would give up essential Liberty to obtain a little temporary Safety deserve neither Liberty nor Safety.”
—Benjamin Franklin
