Buffalo Grove Restaurants, Bars Make Final Reopening Preparations

BUFFALO GROVE, IL — While it's essential that Illinois restaurants and bars with outdoor seating follow strict guidelines set forth by Gov. J.B. Pritzker if they reopen Friday, Adriane Johnson, president of the Buffalo Grove Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce, is also expecting customers to do their part in being safe and responsible. The state is set to officially enter Phase 3 of Pritzker's Restore Illinois plan.

"We are very much in support of our businesses and pleased to have reached this point in allowing them to reopen," Johnson told Patch. "Although we understand that several guidelines outlined within Phase 3 of Governor Pritzker's plan may cause challenges to some restaurants, we feel that they are respectful of the health and safety of our community and our eventual transition to fully reopening."

According to a survey conducted by Patch, residents are anxious about returning to dining establishments (by a 66-34 percent margin). In addition, 56 percent of respondents believe these establishments are unsafe, while only 23 percent plan to dine out this weekend.

Johnson told Patch that the list of restaurants and bars opening Friday and in the following days was still being formulated.

— From the Illinois Department of Commerce and Economic Opportunity