Burr Ridge Mayor Chastises Campaign Donor Over Masks

BURR RIDGE, IL — As of last week, one restaurant in Burr Ridge had been singled out by the village for a possible violation of the governor's pandemic-related order, according to public records.

On Nov. 16, the village hand-delivered a letter from Mayor Gary Grasso addressed to Filippo "Gigi" Rovito of Capri Ristorante. Rovito donated $5,000 to Grasso's unsuccessful campaign for attorney general in 2017.

In the letter, Grasso wrote, "There is a report that your hostess and you were not wearing masks Saturday at Capri. If true, that is unacceptable. This is a warning. You and every member of your staff MUST wear a mask at all times."

The letter turned up last week as a result of a public records request filed by a resident for any letters sent by the mayor or other village officials to restaurants about possible violations of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's order on the pandemic.

Over the weekend, Grasso received at least one complaint about violations at Capri. The restaurant has offered dining in a large tent and its main building.

In an email Saturday, Grasso responded to a resident's concerns about possible social distancing violations at Capri. He said he would go to the restaurant later that day to examine the tables and measure distances. He invited the resident to join him, but she declined.

On Monday, Grasso informed Patch that one table was 70 inches from another. That means it was two inches closer than the required 6 feet under social distancing rules. The table was repositioned, he said.

"Others that were spot-checked were all properly distanced," the mayor said in an email. "Plexiglass barriers were in place between several tables inside. The bar chairs were properly spaced. I went to several tables and patrons and asked if they felt safe and all told me they felt safe."

Under the governor's order, indoor dining is banned for the time being. Like other restaurants in the area, Capri has offered such service in its main building.

A person answering the phone at the restaurant Wednesday said the restaurant had stopped offering indoor dining. Diners are still welcome on the patio and in the tent.

Capri's Rovito didn't return messages for comment. He is the restaurant's president, according to secretary of state records.

In an interview last week, Grasso acknowledged that some local restaurants were violating the ban on indoor dining. He said the village had no power to enforce that order, but said it was making sure restaurants were following social distancing guidelines.

After his review of Capri on Saturday, Grasso said he then went to Topaz Cafe and Eddie Merlot's. Both were in compliance with social distancing rules, he said.

"Eddie Merlot's stacked 'presents' along the bar top to keep patrons safety spaced. I thought that was a nice touch," Grasso said in the email to Patch.