CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Restaurants in the West Loop and the Fulton Market area are asking the city to let them feed more people at indoor tables — but the commissioner of public health says now is not the time.
“What I’m trying to do is build public awareness from just one step: taking six people back to 10," said Phillip Walters, the owner of B. Hospitality Company, which has five Chicago restaurants.
He said the city is unnecessarily punishing restaurants by restricting their dining rooms two weeks ago from a table capacity of 10 down to 6.
So he and other restaurant owners are pushing for a return to 10 per table maximum.
But Dr. Allison Arwady, commissioner of the Chicago Department of Public Health, said there is no way that is happening now.
“Not a chance, not right now, not as numbers are on the way up," Arwady said.
