Restaurants Prepare For Outdoor Phase

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL — Following Gov. J.B. Pritzker's announcement Wednesday that restaurant and bars across Illinois can begin to reopen at the end of the month if they can provide outdoor seating and social distancing measures for customers, area businesses have begun preparations. In Arlington Heights, according to Jon Ridler, executive director of the Arlington Heights Chamber of Commerce, 20 members offer outdoor seating.

“I am appreciative to the Governor for his efforts to help restaurants with opening outdoor seating and would encourage him to include social distancing indoor dining at the same time," Ridler said. "Both are needed to reopen our local restaurants in Phase 3 of his plan.”

Bars and dine-in restaurants throughout the state have been closed since March 16.

All four regions of the state likely to enter Phase 3 of Pritzker's Reopen Illinois plan on May 29. At a Wednesday press conference, Pritzker compared the risk of contracting COVID-19 from outdoor seating at restaurants to other outdoor activities. He is also encouraging local officials to shut down streets if it can help these establishments.

Employees will be required to wear masks while working.

Earlier this week, the Arlington Heights Village Board passed a resolution calling on Pritzker to modify certain parts of the plan. The resolution, which received a 7-2 positive vote, focuses on efforts to assist the business community due to the "devastating financial impact" the stay-at-home order has had on Arlington Heights.

"[We passed the resolution] solely for the purpose of encouraging reasonable modifications to the Governor's Restore Illinois Plan for the benefit of our residents and businesses, and particularly our restaurants, by requesting that they be allowed to reopen in Phase 3 instead of Phase 4," Arlington Heights Mayor Thomas Hayes told Patch.

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS CHAMBER MEMBERS WITH OUTDOOR SEATING

• Cortland's Garage, 1 N Vail Ave.
• Hey Nonny, 10 S Vail Ave.
• Culver's, 1750 East Golf Road (Schaumburg)
• Tuscan Market & Wine Shop, 141 W Wing St.
• La Tasca, 25 W. Davis St.
• Peggy Kinnane's Irish Restaurant & Pub, 8 N. Vail Ave.
• Honey Jam Cafe, 2944 W Euclid Ave.
• Javier's Sabor Mexicano & Agave Bar, 8 W. Miner St.
• Rack House Kitchen & Tavern, 222 E Algonquin
• Corner Bakery, 470 E. Rand Road
• Big Ange's Eatery, 640 W. Northwest Hwy.
• Salsa 17, 17 W. Campbell St.
• Carlos and Carlos Restaurant, 27 W. Campbell St.
• Passero, 3 South Evergreen Ave.
• Armand's of Arlington Heights, 101 W. Campbell St.
• Agio Italian Bistro, 64 S. Northwest Hwy
• Bangkok Cafe (Thai Cusine), 17 N. Vail Ave.
• Mago Grill & Cantina, 171 W Wing St, Ste 203
• Shakou Arlington Heights, 70 N Vail Ave.
• Berry Yo Frozen Yogurt, 50 N. Vail Ave.