CHICAGO (WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- More suburban mayors are standing up to Governor Pritzker and are defying his ban on restaurant dine-in service in their communities.
The latest to tell Governor Pritzker they have no intention of enforcing his indoor dining ban for restaurants are the mayors of Aurora, Morton Grove, and Libertyville.
Aurora is Illinois’ second largest city and Mayor Richard Irvin sent a letter Wednesday to Governor Pritzker saying there needs to be “more consistent and uniform enforcement” of the business restrictions related to the coronavirus pandemic.
“As mayor, I would like to support your orders, but it is difficult as a leader for me to stand by and watch the enforcement vary as my business community suffers,” Irvin wrote. “Again, I certainly appreciate your efforts and support doing our part to reduce the spread, but I do not believe the current mitigation efforts will assist us in moving that direction without more consistent and uniform enforcement.”
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In his letter, Irvin said data from local health departments does not show bars and restaurants as being “significant sources” contributing to the spread of COVID-19.
“Moreover, other businesses and settings that the data reflects are contributing to the spread are not subject to the enhanced mitigation measures,” Irvin wrote. “This has led to misinformation and opposition to the mitigation measures taken.”
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Irvin also wrote he appreciates the state’s efforts in trying to reduce the spread of COVID-19.
“As mayor, I have supported these efforts through increased communication with our business community by encouraging them to follow the guidelines and communicating the consequences for non-compliance,” he said. “We also work closely with our area hospitals and health departments, as I believe we are at our best when we work together, particularly at this difficult time.”
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Morton Grove Mayor Dan DiMaria told the governor the indoor dining ban is an “unnecessary….heavy-handed deathblow” to restaurants and bars. He said Pritzker’s order will bankrupt small businesses and destroy the local economy.
Libertyville Mayor Terry Weppler said his village will not enforce the governor’s indoor dining ban.
"At this point in time, I'm doing all I can to help our restaurants," Weppler said. "People can go if they want to go. That's their choice. I'm not saying they should."
He took to Facebook after speaking with restaurateurs via conference call and consulting with village trustees.
"I know the COVID virus is dangerous and I am as concerned as many of you that we protect people's health," Weppler wrote. "However, there have been no issues of Libertyville restaurants causing spreading of COVID."
Governor Pritzker tweeted Wednesday he’s having state police ramp up random checks of businesses and take more stringent action to hold them accountable.