This afternoon, Governor J.B. Pritzker announced expanded outdoor dining options for restaurants throughout the state. IRA President & CEO Sam Toia joined the Governor and state leaders for the announcement. This action comes after thousands of IRA members and restaurants across the state have voiced their concerns about reopening and the need for pragmatic regulations for restaurants.
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to read the full announcement.
While the Governor’s action to allow for expanded outdoor dining will not help every restaurant operator, it is a step in the right direction for restaurants, diners, and communities around the state - from Springfield to Carbondale to Galena to Chicago. The outdoor dining strategies supported by the administration will extend restaurants a lifeline, help bring back jobs, and offer diners the hospitality experience they’ve been missing - all while maintaining necessary public health and safety measures.
The IRA is fully supportive of this initiative, and we are calling on all local municipalities to embrace these innovative strategies.
We encourage municipalities to close down streets, expand sidewalk cafes, use parking lots and public ways, and more to allow for creative dining options for Illinois residents and visitors alike.
We will continue to work to collaborate with all stakeholders - business owners, elected officials, public health experts - to work through this crisis, flatten the curve, and revive our economy.
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