NAPERVILLE (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Chicago’s suburbs, like the entire region, are recovering from the economic upheaval of the pandemic. But how well each weathered the fiscal storm varies for a variety of reasons.
Jeff Pruyn, the Mayor of Itasca, said his northwest suburb is fueled by revenue from the hospitality industry, manufacturing, and distribution, among others. The pandemic hit them hard.
"You know we only have 10,000 residents, but 25,000 people came, so most of workbase actually comes from outside the community. But having less workers here actually had a bigger impact on the restaurants and some of the other daily businesses that depend on those people coming into town," Pruyn said.
He added that his suburb has a few hotels, too, which did not do well amid COVID-19.
"Our hotel tax went down 90 percent from $1.1 million down to about $150,000," Pruyn said.
In fact, he said, one hotel has closed for good; but the village is coming back.
He said the village's recovery was helped by the “Itasca Bucks” program. Residents and some businesses were given vouchers to help buy meals at local restaurants.
"It cost the village currently about $182,000, but that has generated economic activity at our hospitality businesses," Pruyn said.
Meanwhile, west suburban Naperville had prepared for an economic downturn pre-pandemic by paying down it’s debt and stepping up maintenance and repairs, but Mayor Steve Chirico said the challenge was to avoid cutting services.
"Our residents were really relying on local government more during this crisis, than they were during normal times," Chirico said.
But, he said they have weathered the storm.
"Naperville was just remarkable on how quickly it was able to backfill the lost businesses, jobs, and revenues," Chirico said.
He added that Naperville has lots of car dealerships, and the auto industry did well during the pandemic; which was one factor that helped keep the city strong.
"How broad that tax base is, I think matters, as well. We have a hospital in our city and cities that have hospitals, obviously in a healthcare crisis, hospitals are active," he said.
Both Naperville and Itasca are recovering, but differently.
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