CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- Another Chicago area mayor is making an appeal to Governor Pritzker to ease coronavirus mitigation restrictions on restaurants.
Elmhurst Mayor Steve Morley joins the mayors of Orland Park, Itasca, Libertyville, and elsewhere in calling on Governor Pritzker to allow indoor dining at the risk of countless restaurants going under.
"I am writing to you on behalf of all small businesses in Elmhurst, many of whom will not survive with the newly implemented restrictions," Mayor Morley wrote. "I understand your primary mission is keeping Illinoisans safe during this time. I share this mission in providing for the safety and welfare of the residents of Elmhurst."
Elmhurst Morley wrote in a letter to the governor that they both have the safety and welfare of people in mind as they do their jobs as leaders, and he asks Governor Pritzker to reconsider his ban on indoor dining.
"The livelihood of these businesses, their owners and their employees rely on your ability to modify this order. Elmhurst businesses have spent hundreds of thousands dollar to create a safe environment for their customers. Eliminating indoor dining during our cold weather season will be FATAL to many restaurants in my hometown of Elmhurst and to many across our great state. I hope you are open to compromise. Let’s work together to give small business owners a fighting chance," Mayor Morley wrote.
Related
The mayor also said it’s not been shown by state leaders how restaurants contribute to any increase in the number of people contracting COVID-19.
"You mentioned in your October 20th COVID update that the top 3 places outbreaks occur statewide are in the workplace, schools, bars and restaurants. To date we have not been provided with data showing that restaurants are the cause of the rise in positivity rates," Morley wrote. "In DuPage County, the total number of tracked outbreak cases directly linked to indoor dining is less than 1% according to DuPage County Health Department data. While this number cannot account for all COVID-19 cases or outbreaks, it is an indication that the recent rise in positivity is not strongly linked to our restaurants which have had indoor dining since June. The progress made in COVID-19 treatments and recovery rates should also be taken into consideration. I have spoken directly to medical professionals who have stated that they are having greater success in treating individuals who have contracted COVID-19."
Last month, the Governor’s Office put out information that of more than 17,000 Illinois residents who contracted COVID-19 in August and September, the largest group - 13.5 percent of them - reported working at or visiting a bar or restaurant in the days before testing positive.
Morley also wrote in his letter to the govenor that it’s important to remain flexible and open to input.