No more indoor dining in Chicago (Rockford, McHenry: apartment, restaurants, move to)

[kgordeeva]

https://www.wbez.org/stories/governo...8-cd186717e398

I had a feeling this was going to happen... Pritzker just suspended indoor dining in Chicago...This is getting so pathetic. The economy in this city will never recover. What idiot is going to eat outside in freezing cold weather?!

[dtcbnd03]

I would absolutely eat outside. In ski towns people eat and drink outside and under heat lamps all the time. Now out west the dry air makes it more pleasant than the humid air in Chicago but we all need to embrace "apres ski" dining/drinking. Turn it into a fun winter alternative with the right mindset!

But yes Pritzker is an idiot. Open everything up. Indoor dining/bars are not the culprit. We saw that with Italy's initial lockdown. These businesses will not survive a second wave of shut downs.

I'll also add that I was back in Rockford this past weekend and heard that several restaurants/bars are simply refusing to shut down in Rockford and the surrounding area. My parents told me the sheriff of Winnebago county said "Yeah we got bigger fish to fry" and the police chief of Rockford agreed. Glad to hear there is some common sense pushback.

[kgordeeva]

Originally Posted by dtcbnd03

I would absolutely eat outside. In ski towns people eat and drink outside and under heat lamps all the time. Now out west the dry air makes it more pleasant than the humid air in Chicago but we all need to embrace "apres ski" dining/drinking. Turn it into a fun winter alternative with the right mindset!

But yes Pritzker is an idiot. Open everything up. Indoor dining/bars are not the culprit. We saw that with Italy's initial lockdown. These businesses will not survive a second wave of shut downs.

I'll also add that I was back in Rockford this past weekend and heard that several restaurants/bars are simply refusing to shut down in Rockford and the surrounding area. My parents told me the sheriff of Winnebago county said "Yeah we got bigger fish to fry" and the police chief of Rockford agreed. Glad to hear there is some common sense pushback.

Haha, I've never actually tried eating outside in the wintertime... I just think it would be very unpleasant. If they don't allow indoor dining throughout the winter, I might try eating outside just to keep my sanity. I can't just sit inside my apartment for months.

I seriously don't know what these idiots are thinking... these establishments barely survived the first round of lockdowns...no way they will survive a second round. I just don't think they truly care about the businesses.

[CCrest182]

I think it's a ridiculous move to close down indoor dining (again) too. Small business has already been strangled by the first shutdown... this seems like the finishing blow to kill off struggling small businesses. Bars that don't serve food are going to be toast from this.

That said, I do think there's a way some restaurants can get crafty to make it work. Tents, heat lamps, fire pits, space heaters (and of course... people will need to dress in warm clothing)... at least for the Fall, there are ways to make outdoor dining possible. Of course, come January/February when the temps can go well below 0, then it might be much less practical, but who knows? I agree with dtc, there are other places in the world that can do outdoor dining in cold temps, so it's possible. But businesses will definitely have to adapt. Restaurants with roofed-over patios are already in a good position for this.

[Master Jay]

Does anyone know if this applies to restaurants OUTSIDE the city's borders?? Might it, in fact, affect the Chicago suburbs??

[Sunbiz1]

Originally Posted by Master Jay

Does anyone know if this applies to restaurants OUTSIDE the city's borders?? Might it, in fact, affect the Chicago suburbs??

Lake and McHenry counties are still open, but not for long.
Everywhere else is now "extreme dining", for lack of a better term.

[Curly Q. Bobalink]

Originally Posted by Master Jay

Does anyone know if this applies to restaurants OUTSIDE the city's borders?? Might it, in fact, affect the Chicago suburbs??

Good morning, Master Jay. Yes, indoor dining in suburban Cook County has been put on hold as well. I believe some (most?) restaurants are going back to outdoor dining options, hoping to generate enough business to keep their staff working. Unfortunately, as has been mentioned above, outdoor dining loses appeal each week we get closer to the expected visit from Santa Claus. Personally, I'm hoping to find a vaccine in my stocking this year.

I would suggest that those who care about their favorite restaurants, get take-out from them during this time, and help keep them in business. I utilized the Portillo's drive-through not long ago, and ate in my car - which, being in a high-risk group, drives down the risk and anxiety of being around other (potentially contagious) diners anyway. Cheers!

[Master Jay]

Sunbiz1, I had "planned" to dine in in Lake County (the closest county of Illinois to me) on Saturday and Sunday of this week.

We shall see what happens.

Thank you, Sunbiz1, for the heads up.

Have a great day!

[Master Jay]

Curly Q. Bobalink,

And a good morning to you, as well!

Good to hear you're doing well, and still enjoying your grub that you like, AND supporting local businesses. Good for you! You have a good plan in effect! I hope the smaller establishments will be able to keep their heads up. This time of year brings, for some people, certain feelings of anxiety and depression. The economic situation surely won't help.

I think you were good this year, and Santa definitely should bring you a vaccine! And doses for every household would be a beautiful Christmas gift for all!

I had planned to be in Lake County this weekend. I think I shall stay north of Lake-Cook Road this weekend.

I'm sending much love and positive energy to all of you, my Chicago family AND north, west and south of Chicago!

[deeman7]

Originally Posted by CCrest182

That said, I do think there's a way some restaurants can get crafty to make it work. Tents, heat lamps, fire pits, space heaters (and of course... people will need to dress in warm clothing)...

This whole thing is arbitrary. There isn't really any data to show that forcing certain businesses to close down does anything significant to slow/stop the spread. So lets ban eating inside, but eating outside in an enclosed tent with heat lamps is okay.