Slight Majority Comfortable At Restaurants In Wilmette Area: Poll

WILMETTE, IL — A narrow majority of respondents to a poll of Wilmette-Kenilworth Patch readers said they were comfortable dining out as the state entered Phase 4 of the governor's "Restore Illinois" coronavirus reopening plan. Slightly more readers said they feel the state is lifting restrictions at about the right pace than those who said it was moving too fast.

More than 47 percent said they wanted no part of in-person dining, whether outdoors or inside. Almost 12 percent of respondents were comfortable eating indoors at restaurants, which began opening indoor dining areas at up to 25 percent capacity on Friday.

Overall, 39 percent Wilmette-Kenilworth Patch readers who took the poll said the pace of Gov. J.B. Pritzker's multi-phase reopening plan was moving too fast, compared to over 42 percent who said it was just about right. Over 10 percent said they were not sure, more than the 8.5 percent who said things were opening up too slowly.

Two out of three local respondents to the unscientific survey said they will not change their behavior as the state enters its new phase of reopening. Only one in 10 said they would.

Readers expressed concern about Illinois opening up too quickly as coronavirus infection rates increase in other, mostly Southern, states.

One suggested state officials "slow down the phase of reopening so we don’t have another outbreak."

"Scale it back, clearer guidelines for individuals," another recommended.

Several readers called for stricter enforcement of social distancing and face covering guidelines. Another advocated that people arriving in Illinois from out of state be quarantined.

Opinion was split among Wilmette area residents with children at home in terms of levels of readiness to send youngsters back to school or child care. Almost half said they were not ready yet. About one in four local households with children said they were comfortable.

When it comes to other newly permitted activities, a majority of poll respondents remained unready.

Less than 19 percent said they comfortable patronizing fitness centers, with nearly 73 percent saying they would no longer be comfortable at a gym.

More than three out of four respondents said they would not be comfortable attending an indoor entertainment event. Less than 9 percent were up for it.

When it comes to outdoor entertainment, just under half of respondents rejected the idea. Less than 19 percent said they were ready

Likewise, more than four out of five respondents said they would be uncomfortable returning to an indoor theater, and less than one in four said they would be uncomfortable at an outdoor entertainment event.