Downers Grove Eases Dining Regulations As Restaurants Reopen

DOWNERS GROVE, IL — The village of Downers Grove recently made some temporary changes to its dining regulations to permit more al fresco seating. The changes, which will accommodate restaurants as they reopen in phase three of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's Restore Illinois plan, include using downtown parking spaces for outdoor seating and allowing restaurants without a permit to have outdoor dining.

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Downers Grove Mayor Robert Barnett told Patch businesses who do not have outdoor dining permits and want to have outdoor seating will have to inform the village by email so the village can view the setup as "public safety remains a top priority."

Barnett added that restaurants will be permitted to have seating in "existing outdoor cafes, on public and private sidewalks, in private parking lots and in selected on-street parking spaces." Barnett said a total of 27 on-street parking spaces on Main Street, Mochel Drive and Burlington Avenue will be used for outdoor seating. These spaces will be separated from traffic by barricades, he added.

Restaurants that hold a liquor license, but do not have a separate liquor license to serve alcohol outdoors will be able to do so, per an executive order signed by Barnett Friday. Those restaurants who hold a liquor license for "the sale of full alcohol for on-site consumption" will also be able to sell alcohol for curbside pickup or delivery with the purchase of food, Barnett said.

Barnett said, "Like many, I’m excited about the future and looking forward to supporting our local businesses more. But the goal of minimizing the spread of COVID-19 remains. Be kind and think of others first. Give one another some room - both physically, and with patience and grace. Please check with our businesses and follow the rules. If we work together we can build confidence in one another and get through this crisis. If we act like this is a free-for-all, our friends, neighbors and businesses will struggle. And don’t forget to tip as generously as you can!"