Ottawa mayor says more communication is needed from governor’s office about state’s indoor dining rules

Mayor said he hasn’t told restaurants to reopen; but he would like to see the rules changed for them to do so

Last month, Ottawa Commissioner Wayne Eichelkraut asked Mayor Dan Aussem to send a letter to Gov. JB Pritzker’s office.

He asked if the governor’s office would allow restaurants to open indoor dining at 25% capacity with 10 p.m. closing times.

That letter, along with another to the state, has not received a response, Aussem said.

On the eve of Ottawa, along with the rest of La Salle County’s region, moving from Tier 3 to Tier 2 COVID-19 mitigations, Aussem said there has not been enough clarity provided from the governor’s office on which businesses reopen or what the transition from tiers means. Aussem said he’s contacted state Rep. Lance Yednock’s office, and the lawmaker couldn’t get any answers either.

The governor’s office made a Facebook post announcing some regions would move to Tier 1 or 2, and La Salle County’s region was eligible, but it did not share what the guidelines were for businesses.

Pritzker made it more clear in a news conference Friday afternoon: Limited indoor dining will be able to come back for any region that moves forward to Tier 1. Capacity would be limited to the lesser of 25 people or 25% capacity per room, with tables of no more than four people.

This will make Aussem happy. A day after Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot made headlines by requesting the governor reopen restaurants as soon as possible, Aussem echoed those beliefs. He said the region is doing well enough to reopen indoor dining. From Jan. 6 to 12, La Salle County has had a 7.2% COVID-19 positivity rate of the residents tested.

Aussem said when he was asked by restaurant owners before the governor’s news conference, he was open about the communication the city has received and the situation, but that he told them it would be inaccurate to say they can reopen.

Some Ottawa restaurants have made announcements on their Facebook page they will begin indoor dining again Friday. The La Salle County Health Department has advised that indoor dining is not permitted yet.

“We have businesses who need to know if they have to stock their coolers, and they need more than a day’s notice,” Aussem said.

“I don’t expect the governor himself to respond, but I would think someone in his office could return an email or something and give us some guidance.”

The mayor said there’s been disappointment from restaurants in Ottawa that have been following along with the governor’s orders, because they are seeing restaurants in other communities that have remained open but still have received state grant money. He said there doesn’t appear to be any consequences for those businesses that go against the rules.

“A stipulation of that grant money was that businesses had to follow the rules,” Aussem said. “I’ve been told the state will look back at who’s been open and that will affect grant money, but we haven’t seen it yet.”

Aussem said the city of Ottawa has taken all complaints against the state’s mitigations seriously by investigating them and making reports and that the city will continue to do so.