Photo Credit : Adobe Stock 203750178

On November 1, Region 3 (which includes Sangamon County) entered their 1 resurgence mitigation restrictions. That means no indoor dining at bars or restaurants until those restrictions are lifted.

On October 30, local restaurant owners filed a lawsuit with the Sangamon County Circuit Clerk against JB Pritzker and the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) in an attempt to block those restrictions- and for many, it is a fight for survival

According to the Illinois Restaurant Association, more than half of Illinois restaurants could go out of business in the next 6 months if they have to close down. Even though outdoor dining is still allowed, as the weather is turning colder, that isn’t a viable option for many restaurants. Some just don’t have the space for outdoor dining in large enough numbers.

The restaurants in the lawsuit include:

• Home Plate Bar and Grill

• Brickhouse Grill & Pub

• Cousin Eddie’s Bar & Grill

• Papo’s Cafe

• The Office Sports Bar

• Papa Frank’s

• Saputo’s Italian Foods

• Public House 29

• Lake Pointe Grill

• Route 66 Motörhead’s Bar & Grill

• Coz’s Pizza & Pub

• Pao Restaurant

• Indigo Restaurant

• Casa Real

• Los Rancheros

• Curate

• Vele

• Abe’s Hideout in Springfield and Mechanicsburg

• The Creek Pub & Grill

• Fire & Ale in Sherman

On Wednesday, Mayor Langfelder will meet with City Council to discuss how the city will handle the new restrictions.

For his part, Gov Pritzker has said those restaurants not following the new restrictions could face consequences by way of warnings and fines.

Source: WICS, News Channel 20