Restaurants 'Singled Out' By New Regulations: Bolingbrook Chamber

BOLINGBROOK, IL — The Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce is in full support of all the objections against Gov. J.B. Pritzker's decision to suspend indoor dining at restaurants and bars across Will and Kankakee counties after coronavirus cases went up in the region.

Various business leaders in the area joined together to send a letter to the governor, asking him to lift the mandate that prevents restaurants and bars in the two counties from offering indoor dining. The letter was signed chamber of commerce presidents from Plainfield, Naperville, Lockport, Frankfort, Mokena and surrounding towns.

Kevin O’Keeffe, executive director of the Bolingbrook Area Chamber of Commerce, said it is unfair to "lump the entire county based on numbers that are skewed by a specific area in another community."

"It is also unfair to target a sector whose members have voluntarily undergone extensive training and certifications in sanitation and cleanliness so that could safely operate in the first place," he said. "The BACC, first and foremost, stands with business. We are advocates for a strong business community in this village and have to speak up when any of our industries is adversely affected."

The governor's measure is aimed at reducing the rising number of coronavirus cases in the Will and Kankakee areas and will remain in place till the situation improves.

According to the letter, chamber members are concerned about the decision to implement what "we believe are unfair restrictions targeted at the restaurant and bar industry."
"We ask for immediate consideration to reverse your decision and allow these establishments to remain open for indoor seating at a capacity of the lesser of 25 individuals or 25 percent of capacity," the letter states. "Yes, they will adapt and do what is necessary to keep their doors open. Why though, does one industry need to bear the brunt of the responsibility to reduce positivity rates throughout the region. They have had to pivot and re-create once and are a determined group, but this decision is just going to pull more resources from them. It is our hope that they will all survive these latest restrictions, but nothing is guaranteed."

In order to help establishments weather this storm, the chamber has launched a B2B grant program called Keeping the Tables Set, in partnership with Southern Glazer’s Wine & Spirits and AMITA Bolingbrook, to provide funds for Bolingbrook restaurants, so they can continue to provide outdoor dining service.

O'Keefe said this is not an expense reimbursement nor a loan program. The funds should be used or outdoor operating expenses such as rental of tents/canopies, tables and chairs, outdoor heaters, outdoor supplies such as disposable cutlery, drink ware, plates and napkins and printing of disposable menus for outdoor seating. The money can also be used to improve existing, temporary outdoor structures.

The chamber created a simple Google doc for the application process. Click here to apply.

"It's clichéd, but we’ll get through this together," he said. "[The restaurants] have been holding on since March and the BACC has been doing all it can to support them. What’s great about Bolingbrook is that the community has really rallied behind our restaurants."

The BACC understands the need for safety and supports the enforcement of face coverings and social distancing in all public places. However, O'Keefe said, "no other sectors were singled out like the restaurants." In spite of all the challenges, the owners are adjusting to the new norm.

"The owners know the drill by now; they have been operating outdoors for a couple of months," he said. "As a whole, they are digging deep and hoping to make it to the end of these latest mitigations. They will do what the state/county wants them to do because they are not just responsible business owners but good people."