Local Business Owners Call for a Reversal of Pritzker's Regulations

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JOLIET, IL-- Local business leaders have released an official letter to Governor Pritzker proposing to reverse the decision that would prohibit restaurants and bars to serve customers indoors.

Jen Howard, president of the Joliet Chamber of Commerce, alongside other local business leaders, are not happy with the decision made by J.B. Pritzker in an effort to reduce the number of COVID-19 cases in Will and Kankakee Counties. The decision does not allow for restaurants and bars to offer indoor seating, and only permits them to serve customers in an open, outdoor area. This would remain in effect for at least two weeks, or until the Joliet and Kankakee area are below the 8% threshold that would allow for businesses to serve guests indoors as usual.

The letter that was given to Governor Pritzker on Thursday afternoon addressed concerns that the Joliet Chamber of Commerce and neighboring chambers thought were ‘unfair restrictions targeted at the restaurant and bar industry’. Restaurant and bar owners in the Joliet area detail their efforts to mitigate the spread of coronavirus through maintaining a capacity of 25 or less, as well as implementing routine sanitizing and hand washing procedures. The letter also points out that although the number of cases is increasing, the death rate in the local Joliet area has been decreasing. Therefore, local business owners are asking for ‘immediate consideration to reverse [Governor Pritzker’s] decision and allow these establishments to remain open for indoor seating’.

Many Joliet business owners see this as a huge setback and threat to the livelihood of their business. Business owners such as Al’s Steakhouse (1990 W Jefferson St.) and Golden Corral (2100 W Jefferson St.) have spoken out against these restrictions. Al’s Steakhouse owners George and Amanda Daskalakis questioned the fairness of Governor Pritzker’s regulations, and why all Joliet businesses are considered the same since many establishments have had zero confirmed cases of COVID-19.

As of August 31, the regulations outlined in Governor Pritzker’s decision are in effect and local restaurants and bars are to remain only serving customers outdoors for at least the following two weeks.