CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- An alliance of Chicago restaurants said federal relief for their industry has ended up in too few hands, and they’re pleading for assistance to help them survive.
Roger Romanelli, who runs the Chicago Restaurants Coalition, is trying to rally eateries from around the nation in calling for $60 billion in relief for the entire industry by Thanksgiving. Earlier restaurant revitalization funding didn’t go far enough.
"Sixty-four percent of the restaurants across America that applied for federal funds got $0," he said.
This while others got –in some cases—hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Len DeFranco, owner of Hawkeye’s Bar and Grill in Chicago, is one of the “have nots” and said he’s at a competitive disadvantage.
"If you received funds, and we didn't, then you are in the position to offer a little bit more money and put your staff together a little better," DeFranco said.
Michael Roper, owner of Hopleaf Bar, also did not get any money when he applied for federal restaurant recovery funds. His business struggled through COVID-19, and now he said he is at a competitive disadvantage.
"Some places in our immediate neighborhood did get it and they have done some very obvious improvements to make them more competitive, and I can't do that. I can't compete with that, because I don't have the money," Roper said.
Joel Nickson, owner of the Wishbone Restaurant, added it’s hard for independent operations like his to survive without such help.
"So a lot of us that did play by the rules are pentalized and it's unfortunate," he said.
While Nickson thinks getting help by Thanksgiving is a long shot, Romanelli is still pushing.
"If we are looking at a $1.5 trillion spending bill that they are trying to negotiate with all the senators and congressmen across America, surely they could fit $60 billion in additional funds into that bill for our restaurants," Romanelli said.
"If these restaurant rescue funds cannot be delivered by Thanksgiving thousands of restaurants in Chicago, in Illinois, and across the nation are in jeopardy."
He wants this appeal to go nationwide.
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