A Way To Help Hinsdale Restaurants

HINSDALE, IL — Hinsdale officials may have a way to help at least some restaurants this summer. They fear that even if restaurants are allowed to reopen, they may suffer because social distancing rules will bar them from taking too many customers at one time.

At last week's Village Board meeting, Village President Tom Cauley suggested Hinsdale close First Street downtown from Garfield to Washington Streets during the summer. This would allow restaurants there to set up tables and umbrellas on the street, letting them serve more customers.

Illinois Coronavirus Update May 14: 84,698 Cases, 3,792 Deaths — Don't miss updates in Hinsdale-Clarendon Hills as they are announced. Sign up for Patch news alerts and newsletters.

Cauley said Village Manager Kathleen Gargano told him about the idea about 15 minutes before the meeting.

"I think that would be a good idea to give restaurants a shot in the arm, so they can come back and not close permanently," Cauley said.

He said the village could not violate the governor's stay-at-home order, but it could think of creative ways to save local businesses.

One of the village trustees suggested Hinsdale also close off a portion of Washington to help restaurants there.

Cauley told the board that village officials would look more closely at the idea of closing off streets.