No Darien Restaurant Violators Reported: Mayor

DARIEN, IL — Darien has not received any reports that local restaurants are operating in violation of the governor's ban on indoor dining service, the mayor said Thursday.

Darien Patch asked Mayor Joseph Marchese about the situation after Western Springs' village president announced her town had received reports of restaurants offering indoor dining. She said the village would notify health authorities of "flagrant" violations.

In an email, Marchese said if the city received a report of a restaurant operating in violation, it would direct the resident to call the DuPage County Health Department, which he said had the authority to deal with such matters.

"While we are aware that some restaurants or bars may seek to operate in violation of the new mitigation restrictions, we have not, as I’ve stated, had residents or elected officials calling to report such behavior," the mayor said.

Marchese noted that the city has returned $100,000 in food and beverage tax money to help restaurants and bars that provide outdoor dining continue the service through the fall and winter.

"As the Western Springs mayor stated, we will do everything we can to encourage our restaurant and bar owners to remain in compliance, while encouraging our residents to take advantage of the fine items our restaurants offer for takeout," the mayor said in the email.

At a meeting Monday, Western Springs Village President Alice Gallagher said the village would help its restaurants as much it can with outdoor dining. But she said the village was concerned with violations of the governor's order.

"The village is looking into these violations, and we will report flagrant disregard of the enhanced mitigation rules to the Cook County and Illinois departments of public health," Gallagher said.